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May Babies

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GeorginaA · 18/05/2004 16:36

Have we got enough that I can officially open this thread yet?

How are your little ones doing prufrock, twiglett, snowbird?

I think mine is going down with jaundice. Dh isn't convinced, but it's either that or he's got a lovely tan sigh. I remember all the stress associated with that last time with ds1... hoping ds2 doesn't get it as badly.

He's still being a very sicky baby, about a couple of teaspoons a few hours after each feed (which is odd - I'd have thought if it was a reflux type thing it would happen immediately after the feed?) Midwife seems to think it'll settle after the milk comes in but if not then we'll look at some sort of baby gaviscon. Poor little mite, can't be comfortable for him... and we're sure getting through a lot of laundry!

Feel so bloody knackered at the moment, fed up of bits leaking and being sore, and it's only day 2! How long is it before you start feeling human again? Please tell me that it's sooner than the 2 week paternity leave dh gets!!

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GeorginaA · 12/06/2004 22:04

Oi libb... can't speak for the rest of us on this thread but don't be so silly!! Just because I'm having a hard time doesn't mean I don't want to hear that others are having a good time of it! Gives me something to aspire to .

That goes for the rest of you who haven't posted much. I want to know how your babies are!

My apologies if I've dragged the thread into doom and gloom.

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libb · 12/06/2004 22:23

Its not doom and gloom, I can only imagine how it is with 2 - now that is really something to aspire to! (a daft amount of twos there but you know where I'm coming from!)

I know for a fact that DS is probably just biding his time . . . he is genetically pre-disposed to be a bolshy git.

Fingers crossed we all have a good night or ten in the meantime xxxxxx

twiglett · 12/06/2004 23:27

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GeorginaA · 12/06/2004 23:35

Eeep - what happened twiglett? Glad you're okay now.

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twiglett · 12/06/2004 23:41

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GeorginaA · 12/06/2004 23:46

Sounds so scary - glad you got it checked out properly. You certainly weren't making a fuss about nothing!

I know what you mean about being relieved about having a milk stash "just in case" - I haven't had to use mine, but it is reassuring knowing it's sitting in the freezer in case of emergencies (have about 80 ounces in there now).

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twiglett · 12/06/2004 23:51

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GeorginaA · 13/06/2004 00:00

God knows why - I'm a bit obsessive about it really! I keep expressing more than I need. I'll have to start chucking it out when it hits a month old and that's going to be heartbreaking . I express about 7-8 oz a day and have done since ds2 was a week old. 4 gets frozen 4 gets fed at the 10pm feed.

I'm going to be one of those sad people who ends up sobbing on the kitchen floor if there's a power cut and all my liquid gold defrosts, aren't I?!

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libb · 13/06/2004 00:51

Twiglett, I'm so glad you are feeling better now! it must've been scary at the time though.

I spoke too soon earlier, DS has been wide awake for ages now and is hungry - but won't feed, what is that all about?! will try to continue with the laid back approach until I wig out! DP is holding him at the moment for the sake of my sanity . . . . .

I couldn't express that amount if I tried so I'm really impressed - I seem to have enough for his daily needs but am wondering if I should have more? I tried the pump for the first time today, didn't have any joy - is there a knack? I don't really want to do formula unless necessary. He has only had breast so far but I know that will have to stop when I go to work.

He still wont settle despite a big feed - he isn't getting upset either so I cant work it out . . . knew I shouldn't have used the words "going well" earlier!

mears · 13/06/2004 03:09

Georgina - you do not need to throw milk out after a month

It can be stored for up to 6 months.

Here is some more info storage

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GeorginaA · 13/06/2004 11:07

Oooo... I didn't know that mears! I thought because the nature of the milk changed over time as the baby grew that the more "suitable" milk for his age would be that pumped nearer the time.

Mind you, saying all that, I don't think I have enough room in my freezer for 6 months worth!!!!!

libb - I don't know if this is the "proper" knack but I express three times a day. Two are done just before a feed to encourage increased supply and I get 2oz each off that. One is in the evening and is instead of a feed so I get 4oz out of that. Expressing at the same times each day so the demand is established.

I use the medela mini - I never got the hang of those hand pumps and I found the medela better than the hospital grade pump I rented last time and it's not that expensive. I express 3mins on one then transfer to the other for 3, then 2-2, then 1-1.

I'm stunned myself I'm getting this much. With ds1 I really didn't manage to do expressing well at all and I hated it. Having started so early this time, it seems to be going much much easier. I will reduce the amount I'm expressing once he hits the 6 week growth spurt though.

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mears · 13/06/2004 12:47

Georgina - you are quite right the milk changes as time goes on. However, usually frozen milk is given when mums are going out or to supplement breastfeeds in the evening so the bulk of milk is taken directly from the breast. That means the baby is getting milk appropriate for it's age. I used to express for a breastmilk bank and donors milk was all pooled together so that babies were getting a kind of mix. Breastmilk is so good that babies were given it even if it was old. I donated for a year.

spots · 13/06/2004 12:48

I am looking forward to Friday when there's a local breastfeeding support group. Linnet (or anyone else) have you ever been to one of these? The fact that such a thing exists at all I reckon is proof of what a lot of potential there is for misery in the whole business... I have new woes with dd's feeds. The corners of her mouth have clamped me into a bruise on either side after a few huge feeds & it's damn' sore. Also she will writhe with wind while feeding and pull nipple out/suck it in like spaghetti. It's pretty hard to break the old girl's suction in these situations... hopefully the breast feedinmg support group will do that for me... Otherwise she's grand and I can't complain about her sleeping. This morning going to mother, toddler and baby group... Keeping busy with her when I can!

prufrock · 13/06/2004 14:33

I found GF before dd was born, and loved it because it told me what to do and when. Fortunately for my sanity I was also old by the friend who recomended it that you don't have to do exactly as she says. She doesn't have the most sympathetic writing style, but for me it wasn't a case of trying to impose order, merely finding out how to do the job (I would have changed dd's nappy every time she farted if it hadn't been for Gina)
I am expressing just 4oz a day, emptying both breats after the 7am feed. Some nights dh uses it for the 10pm, some nights ds is unsettled so if he's fed again at 9ish we skip the 10pm and I freeze it.

Linnet have you seen a bf counsellor recently. Whilst I think it's perfectly OK to giveup bf if you don't want to do it anymore, I think it would be sad if you were forced to give up because you haven't had the proper support to teach your baby how to do it properly and not cause you pain.

Linnet · 13/06/2004 22:14

Health visitor came round today to see us, dd2 now 8lbs 2oz. Had a lovely long chat about feeding. We have established that dd2 is latching on properly and feeding well, also figured this out from the way that mears described it all further down. the problem seems to be that dd2 is quite sucky and after she's had her feed she likes to just stay where she is having a suck. HV said it was best to keep an eye on her and once she's finished feeding, and just comfort sucking to take her off, didn't want to do this before as I didn't want to interrupt her feed but hv said that she'd have had enough by that point. We also had a big chat about bottle feeding and how to introduce the bottle etc. Today being a better day I have decided to keep going, but might introduce a bottle before I go to bed just to give myself a bit of a rest.

Yesterday was interesting, dd2 slept right through dd1's sports day and didn't wake up until 3.30pm by which time she'd missed a feed but she took the bottle of formula no problem. I also coped perfectly well by myself last night with both dd's.

Spots I've never been to a breastfeeding group, although I know plenty people who have been. I got an invite to go to a mother and baby group ran by the health visitor but don't know if we will go or not. Will see how things go.

kbaby · 13/06/2004 22:33

Hi,
Were also having problems sleeping and feeding. DD only feeds fo 8 mins and then falls asleep, no amount of burping, nappy changing etc will keep her awake. I thrn lay her in the moses basket and 30 mins later shes crying and the only thing that will settle her is more food, and on we go through the night. During the day if were out shes as good as gold but bring her home and lay her down to sleep and she soon starts crying again.

Bozza · 13/06/2004 23:58

Well after DD's long sleep we had a bad night. Then a good night and tonight is shaping up to me a bad one because DD has managed to catch DS's cold and is quite suffering with it. Poor thing. Started crying again so will have to go.

spots · 14/06/2004 13:01

Why is it that they can sleep so well when out & about? Put L. in baby bjorn and she'll crash out for hours. but at home she won't take anything less than high maintenance. esp when I go online... she's piped up in my arms... right on cue.

prufrock · 14/06/2004 17:55

spots - use the baby bjorn at home too? Ds usually has his pm nap in his whilst I wander round tidying or chasing dd.
Bozza - if your dd is very blocked up a drop of breatmilk in her nose will help.

twiglett · 14/06/2004 19:11

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spots · 14/06/2004 22:45

yes prufrock that is my old standby! you should see the state of the baby bjorn now... after four weeks of continuous holding of sicky baby while sicky baby's mother drinks cups of tea, eats squirty tomatoes and wafts past endless unclean surfaces in revolting home... it's kind of like an owl pellet

otherwise it's a v. dodgy 'beam reach' with her on my forearm, just the right height to thwack wee head off cupboards.

Bozza · 15/06/2004 01:05

Thanks for the suggestion prufrock. DD actually seems to do better when feeding - her nose starts running and I end up covered in that extra gloopy baby snot.

Am impressed with you all using baby sling and actually doing things. I can walk when DD is in hers and thats about it.

Going on holiday in a fortnight. Am starting to get nervous... Will DD be able to swim at this young age? Have to go and buy some clothes that will fit also.

Bozza · 15/06/2004 15:34

Clothes for me that is. DD is inundated with the things.

spots · 15/06/2004 17:14

Bozza this one is a snotty baby too... not because of cold, just Is. I bought one of those revolting 'nasal aspirators' but haven't got the stomach/guts to use it. Have you tried them?

Sicky and snotty ... and spotty at the moment too. Hopefully she will grow up to be somethimg really glamorous and I can remind her of these charms later.

Bozza · 16/06/2004 00:16

LOL about reminding her later spots. We've already got a number of naked pictures of DD for future amunition. Actually DD's cold is getting much better now. BUT now I've started with it - which is one of the major drawbacks of having kids - they're always making you poorly.