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Parenting
Feb/March 2023 Birth Club
TeddyBeans · 08/03/2023 17:54
Hello my lovelies! I thought I'd make a post birth thread so we can continue our chats now that our little ones are earthside. Feel free to tap out!
20/1 - botleybump 💓 (due 23/2)
10/2 - Amy1303 💙 (due 27/3)
12/2 - Babynum2 💙 (due 5/3)
12/2 - Cams50 💙 (due 2/3)
13/2 - LizziBee 💙
14/2 - BabyNumber3OnTheWay 💙 (due 28/2)
18/2 - Ubbee 💙 (due 27/2)
19/2 - beatingheartbaby 💓 (due 14/3)
21/2 - suchardchoccy 💓 (due date baby!)
22/2 - muminlndn 💓
24/2 - saltandpepperr 💙 (due 6/3)
24/2 - mrs2022 💙 (due 24/3)
25/2 - JTB123 💓 (due 1/3)
25/2 - Splashh 💓 (due 8/3)
26/2 - GreenIsle 💓 (due 7/3)
26/2 - LaForza101 💙 (due 3/3)
27/2 - EastyBaby19 💙 (due 4/3)
27/2 - Katdemar 💙 (due 4/3)
28/2 - TeddyBeans 💓 (due 26/2)
1/3 - Franklin123 💓 (due 13/3)
2/3 - Thirdtimesacharm3 💙 (due 6/3)
2/3 - allthingssparkly 💙 (due 6/3)
3/3 - Blondewave 💙
3/3 - June628 💓 (due 8/3)
3/3 - Noodle20 💓 (due 7/3)
6/3 - Shep21 💓 (due 18/3)
7/3 - MoronikaFaceache 💓 (due 1/3)
7/3 - Room4onemore 💓 (due 17/3)
muminlndn · 22/03/2023 11:01
@Perexi great you got some sleep and advice! I was going to say babies can be more effective than a pump to stimulate production so could be a good idea to latch them each feed even if most of the milk comes from a bottle after and you still pump. But I'm sure the NCT line gave you a good plan :)
Perexi · 22/03/2023 11:32
muminlndn · 22/03/2023 11:01
@Perexi great you got some sleep and advice! I was going to say babies can be more effective than a pump to stimulate production so could be a good idea to latch them each feed even if most of the milk comes from a bottle after and you still pump. But I'm sure the NCT line gave you a good plan :)
Yep we're trying skin to skin as much as possible and latching on mid feed even if little feeding actually happens to try and get the supply up. Then expressing as well, apparently it's still early days and time to get the supply up almost worrying about it is counter productive so I'm trying to be a bit chilled about it!
They suggested taking fenugreek capsules too.
Getting him weighed later hopefully he's stopped losing Weight now 🤞🏻🤞🏻
havananana · 22/03/2023 12:46
Hi! Has anyone done formula from the start of from a few days in ?
I did a few days of breast feeding and tried expressing yesterday but have decided to exclusively formula feed.
What do I need to do to get rid of the milk/colostrum in my breasts and stop producing more without causing mastitis etc?
I'll obviously ask my midwife but looking for personal experiences
havananana · 22/03/2023 13:01
Also for those who formula feed from the get go - have you also got lots of judgement and unsolicited advice or thoughts from people?
How did you deal with it? I got baby blues since last night end the constant comments or questions about feeding are totally putting me down.
Franklin321 · 22/03/2023 13:19
@havananana ive been formula feeding from birth, I had been expressing a little bit but struggling to find the time so she’s almost exclusively formula now 3 weeks in.
I found expressing just a bit has helped, it takes the pressure away and slowly I’m running out of milk when I express but without any pain so you could do that or just stop and don’t express/feed/touch them and the pain/fullness should ease off within a few days!
I’m super confident with my choice of formula and haven’t had any advice/opinions negatively from friends/family but if I did I would just say I’m formula feeding and change the subject. It’s tough in the beginning especially as a first time mum making decisions but be confident that formula is a perfectly acceptable choice for your baby and they will thrive!
TeddyBeans · 22/03/2023 13:39
@havananana a well fitting bra and a lot of patience with the boobs, they'll start drying up within a few days and probably be back to normal within 10 days. Wear the bra at night time too, you'll need the support. I leaked a lot and spent a good week changing clothes several times a day. DD is 3 weeks old now and I only occasionally leak from my right boob. They're practically back to normal.
I'm like Franklin, very confident in my choice to formula feed. DP loves being able to feed her, DS loves it too. I like the convenience and the ability to know how much milk she's taking. As easy as it is to say, the best thing you can do is ignore any unsolicited advice. Noone else is in your exact situation so noone else's opinion on how you feed your baby matters. It's all down to you so own it 😊
Shep21 · 22/03/2023 15:26
@havananana I’ve exclusively breastfed from birth. All midwives and HV very supportive, most opposition was from my mum (wanted me to try combi). However after Zara was born she could see how much easier I was finding it to formula feed and how well she was taking the bottles. The weight gain has been great and she’s thriving. I firmly believed the pressure of breastfeeding would negatively impact on my mental health - can’t say if this is why I’ve felt fairly good since her birth or not, but it’s certainly helped! Just be firm with your decision if questioned, you know what’s best for you and your baby!
Blocklynn · 22/03/2023 15:44
@havananana I’m finding my toughest critic is myself.
I wanted to breastfeed but that didn’t work out so now I’m expressing what I can and I hate it. It hurts and I just want to get the bloody things off me, they are making my skin crawl. But I’m trying my hardest to carry on for now as I feel like that’s what I should do 😞
ChristmasJumpers · 23/03/2023 03:56
@havananana I'm sorry you've had to deal with other people's opinions, it is nobody's business but yours. As with PPs, I have exclusively bottle fed from the start and it works so well for us. Fortunately we've had support from midwives and family but any critics would have been ignored. My milk came in 2 nights ago and my boobs are still a little sore but I'm just leaving them be and it seems to be easing by itself quite quickly
Shep21 · 23/03/2023 14:45
@TeddyBeans I’ve been looking at local groups to me but nothing is taking my interest as of yet! I’m also nervous as a FTM to step into this whole new world (it’s very much out my comfort zone!). What age would you recommend to start baby classes? Zara is almost 3 weeks but can’t see her benefiting quite yet!
TeddyBeans · 23/03/2023 15:24
@Shep21 it's early to start but I enjoy the company (and loads of people coo over her because she's definitely the youngest there 😁) a mother and baby group would benefit you from early on with regards to making mum friends. I'd say 6-8 weeks for a dedicated baby class, when they're awake a bit more during the day
Perexi · 23/03/2023 17:28
havananana · 23/03/2023 16:21
Has anyone got experience with post partum foot swelling?
All midwives say it will go away and to keep feet up and walk more, but I'm post surgery and can't walk for long yet and also can't have my scar bent long either.
When did you foot swelling go away?
I have really boney feet and ankles and today is the first day they are starting to look normal for me, today is day 9 since surgery. Midwife said that it just takes time for the body to flush out extra fluids especially as with surgery they flood you with extra fluids.
Cats23 · 23/03/2023 19:18
Day 11 here, been feeling a bit odd, cant explain it...super tired,no motivation- perhaps the come down from such a high?
Astrid is doing well though, content and overall easy.
As for the Q re dealing with peoples opinons on feeding- Really try ignoring, as long as you are happy with the choices youve made, thats the only thing that matters.
TeddyBeans · 23/03/2023 23:13
@Cats23 try and take some time for yourself. Have a nap or a bath or something similar. You have to look after yourself too!
We're trying to orchestrate a good night's sleep for everyone tonight 😂 have woken DD up for a bottle in hopes she goes to 4-5am before her next feed. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow
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