December 2010 - Merry Christmas new babies!

[Chooster]

Hi, I couldn't see a post-natal thread but as we grow in numbers we'll need a place to chat!

All good here... Jude is now 5 days old and such a wonderful good baby. Mind you he must think he's been born in the Arctic as it was -16 outside this morning in Edinburgh. Brrrrrrr - Its not always this cold Jude .

How's everyone else getting on?

Yesterday evening was hell. We had our first cluster feed (I presume). OMG, it exhausted me. From 6pm until midnight, DD fed every half an hour for ten minutes. She was pulling the nipple out to get more milk - ouch ouch!
The only plus side was she slept then until 6am :)
Trying to eat tagliatelle with a grunting piglet on your boob aint easy either. I hope this doesn't happen every night...

I was alternating boobs but read elsewhere on MN that I should offer the same one - think it's called block feeding.

Wind also a problem here. I've been using Infacol for three days, doing some massage and the bicycling of the legs which produces plenty of farts. But she is still pulling her legs up during her naps.

I have such respect for you mums with other children. The thought of having another baby makes me feel nauseous at the moment. And everyone keeps asking, "When are you having another baby?"

morning all, I hope mums and babes are well, i need to do a mammoth catch up - 7 pages already!
I found a good article about baby getting enough breast milk here and links to more info. Makes for interesting reading, I for one have forgotten all about babies and DS1 was of course the perfect baby, compared to DS3 who has reflux and is only a few ounces over birthweight at 5 1/2 weeks! Cue multiple visits from health visitor... . Will be back later for a catch up!

morning all

GGG 16 feeds! you're a real trooper to manage that

mamaluthu it's easy to over do it isn't it? take it easy today

stenogirl get used to being asked that - once you've got one LO people alwaya assume you'll be having more

I had to do the school run on my own this morning as we discovered that the raincover for the travel system has disappeared. DH kept assuring me he knew where it was but when he got it out, it was the one for the pushchair, not the pram. I think one of my cats is feeling a bit neglected - he's desperate to climb on my lap for a cuddle but there's just no room!

Just like to agree on the awe for those of you with other children. I have no idea how you do it! Which reminds me that Lavita said on the antenatal thread that she was impressed I had cycled to hospital before the birth but I reckon that's not half as impressive as breastfeeding twins - now that really is a mammoth task!

We've found the only reasonable solution to the frequent feeding situation - Hetty & I have achieved dream feeding & so only had to get up once in the night for a nappy change! I feel like a new person having had an almost full night's worth of sleep, albeit interrupted - yippee! Why am I not surprised that a daughter of mine can eat in her sleep

Talking of changing I think I might be a becoming a bit obsessed with reusable nappies. We have these lovely furry ones that Hetty looks so adorable in! I also feel much happier with her having soft fabric next to her skin rather than horrible crunchy plastic.

GGG 16 feeds!!! Hopefully she'll start having longer feeds soon and not need so many. When I look back at the feed notes in our early weeks you can see why I was exhausted. Envious of your re-useable nappies, is that the itti bitti's by chance? Now Bea is getting bigger hope we will be able to make the change soon, just so many options.

Bea is BF and she gets terribly windy. She was up from 10 through to 2 when she let out a really loud fart and settled down. I do wind her and she belches a little, but you can still hear gurgling belly. Going to try feeding lying down so she js led on her belly, odd advice from a friend who swears by it. She also recommended that she has plenty of tummy play time so that she can work it through her system. I will let you know how it goes. Infacol did nothing for her last night, to quieten her we had to jiggle and rub. Poor DH has gone to work with 3 hours sleep. At least I can go for naps during the day.

Hi all. William asleep on me and DD napping. Today my first proper day with them both and so far we're surviving! DD is being a bit stroppy and got up three times last night, woke me and William up once so I was not impressed. I do feel guilty but I have to try and split my time between them and if William is feeding I have to prioritise that. It won't be this intense forever.

Been using the kari-me sling and went to toddler group this morning with him in it. He slept the whole time, so much easier than buggy especially as you can't take buggy into children's centre.

His feeding is getting there. He is full time on boob now, no bottles and put on 14oz this week! However I am still v sore, although some feeds worse than others. Having to be v careful with his latch. We have appointment next week re tongue tie.

GGG well done for cracking the sleeping lying down! I can't wait until William's latch is good enough that we can do that without me being in pain. 16 feeds is a lot, but not when they are having a growth spurt.

I have a load of reusables down from loft but all my wraps are medium as didn't put DD in cloth until she was a couple of months. They are all too big for William, and TBH unti his feeding is sorted I'm not sure I can handle the extra washing. Disposables nappies are so pricey and they smell funky too though.

stenogirl I definitely remember saying never again when DD was a few weeks old! Cluster feeding can be tough, all you can do is embrace it and get some good DVDs in. It only lasts a little while, but take it one day at a time.

PS for anyone struggling with latch, try this leaflet - the exaggerated latch technique on p 8 or 9 is really helping us:

www.sunderland.nhs.uk/admin/mopil/pdf/20060405104105.pdf

DD is BF and she gets wind - i think its a myth that BF babies don't get it as badly. i have quite a strong let-down and my poor baby struggles a bit at the start with the sheer quantity of milk ()...i can hear her gulping air with it. the only 'solution' i've found to be effective so far is to keep hand expressing when my boobs feel too full.

something i have found that helps is to rest DD alternately on her front over my shoulder and then on her back, but propped up (usually on my thighs), rubbing her back then going gentle circles on her tummy. this usually brings up a good burp or pushes out a fart.

our main problem at night is that DD is soooo awake from about 2am....she wouldn't even settle in bed with us so DH took her downstairs for a bit until she got sleepy again. i'm going to have to try and cope with this when he goes back to work as don't really think its fair on him when i can nap in the day and he can't.

kellestar It is indeed the Itti Bitti Tuttos - they are a bit on the pricey side and it took us a while to get the hang of which bits to attach to what but now we have I think they are worth every penny. Especially as they are supposed to last from birth to potty.

Thanks for the leaflet WLL - the exagerated latch technique is fantastic!

Hi
Can I join to this I'm new to mumsnet and had a little girl on 04.12, I've scan read the posts but will read them a bit better when I have more time (if??)

Holly is my third DD my oldest is 5 and middle is 4.

Currently BF but struggling with the school routine thing (not to mention pre-school from tomorrow) so considering switching / mixed feeding which I've not been particularly successful at with the others as my supply seems to dry up as soon as I'm not feeding on demand.

Having a 4year gap this time I've forgotten EVERYTHING and seem to have lost the baby manual too.... :o

Hi all
Would you mind if I joined this thread? I did loosly follow the antenatal one but never posted.

DD, Caitlin, was born on Christmas Eve (8lbs) and we are currently trying to get the knack of breastfeeding. She cluster feeds in the evening and generally wakes 2-3 times overnight.

She'll sleep much better in bed with DH and I but am unsure how safe that is - I'm petrified of rolling on her , her falling out or her rolling into me and not being able to breathe!! Although I have picked up some good advice about this from reading some of your posts.

DS (3) is back in nursery and DH went back to work today - it all seems a bit overwhelming at the moment, doesn't it!!

Hi CJMommy
Holly was 8lb too :)
She is my smallest DD1 was 8lb7 and DD2 was 8lb1.
I seem to co-sleep with Holly a lot as she sleeps a lot better with me especially at the moment as she has a bad cold.
I also worry I will roll onto her and think I spend most nights in a half asleep faze which has made me look about ten years older zzzz!

GGG I'm still impressed you managed to cycle to the hospital

Chooster Yes the girls are identical but are different in size so I can tell the difference at the moment, also Vivienne has a little mole on her tummy. They are different in personality too Florence is cheekier and seems to have a little scowl, Vivienne is a bit more laid back.

I'm still BF but don't think I'd cope if I had other children to look after. I bought a breastfeeding cushion for twins (£68!) which helps but I do them seperately if the other is sleeping. The girls feed and are usually asleep by 11pm then wake up around 3.30am and again at 6.30am, I'm not finding it too bad to be honest, but they do feed a lot. Although I don't have much space in the bed if they end up with us from either of the night feeds.I can't get the handle on dream feeding, just seems to leak milk all over my bed.

Girls are very windy too, burp and fart like little troopers. Had them weighed this week and Florence is now 7lb 6 and Vivienne 8lb 11. They also had their 8 week injections today, 1 in each leg and I felt so mean, when they cryed out in pain so lots of cuddles tonight.

Welcome to all the newbies, congratulations on your babies and hello to everyone else.

Strix I'm definitely up for a meet up, lets arrange a date and I'll text PJen as she seems to have gone AWOL from the thread. I hope little Sophia Rose is doing ok as she was a preemie too. We can go for lunch where I worked as I still have management priviledges on maternity and I can sign off lunch for us all, booze too if you are partaking

GreenGeekGirl I'm reading up on dream feeds - would like a sleep through the night situation!
kellestar thanks for the new tips about tummy time. It's all worth a go.

I get a big burp when she's sitting on my leg with legs dangling and with one hand holding her chin and rubbing her back - especially if I rub the left-hand side of her back with the palm of my hand. I read that it takes three days for Infacol's effect to kick in.
wholelottalove thanks for posting the leaflet. It's really good. I like the bit about expressing.
Hello Wannabe and CJMommy :)

We registered DD's birth today.
Next step is a passport. I want to bring her to Ireland to see my nan.

Hi CJMommy and WannabeaShootingStar :)

WLL thank you for the info about exaggerated latch, I am going to give it a go as I am not convinced I am getting the latch right as my nipples come out lipstick shaped and I have read this could be a sign of bad latch. I'm going to try the exaggerated technique later.

Bob is fast asleep in his moses basket which makes a change as i have spent the last few days carrying him around with me or sleeping with him. We went to see my mum today, our first trip out, which was great. I am determined to get out more. I really need to perfect discrete breastfeeding though!

I also have lots of re-usable nappies but I am planning on waiting a month or two before using them. I do feel guilty about the amount of landfill I am creating though.

Lavitabellissima I am dreading having to take Bob for injections :(

Thanks for the welcome

I need to do the passport too as my folks live abroad and we've just booked a family holiday to Spain in July.

Flying with three kids for the first time could be.... interesting

WLL glad William's getting to grips with the bf and putting on weight. Oh and well done for surviving your first day home alone!

welcome and congratulations wannabe and CJ

Matthew is becoming nocturnal again - sleeps all day and awake all night. He eventually settled down into some decent sleep at about 5am this morning, so DD decided it would be appropriate to wake up at 6am and keep coming in and out of our room. I'm knackered and DH has his first set of night shifts since Matthew was born which start today . Right now, I've no idea how I'll manage all weekend if Matthew keeps me up all night and I've got DD to entertain single handed all weekend.

DF I made DH come with me to DD's first injections - all I remember is wanting to punch the nurse for making my pfb cry!

We're off to register Matthew this afternoon. Have a good day everyone.

hey all

I went to a BF support group this morning, and I now actually feel worse abouit breast feeding than I did before.
I cant feed Ruby without a nipple sheild as we've never mastered a good latch and she simple nipple feeds, and today was the first time any one has watched me feed and tried to help. I feel very :( about it and now feel like a failure. Craps.

Had her weighed too, and shes 8lb 6 - at 5 weeks tomorrow im worried shes not gaining enough

plus the breast feeding guru said that i should be getting 5 /6 wet nappies and 2 dirty ones a day, well we dont - she poos every 4 to 5 days and i dont change her everytime she wees so I dont know how many wet nappies, but plenty!! Completely different advice to what the HV said, HV said that BF babies can go up to 10 days without a poo before they get concerned.

Max DP came with me for the injections, I held Florence and he held Vivienne so we could both feel like mean parents! only 4 weeks and then they need more

DF they were fine a few minutes after the injections, and fell asleep in the pram before we even left. The nurse told me to give them some Calpol if they had a temperature but they were fine, just wanted a few more hugs. First nappy change they screamed though, I think they were worried they'd be stabbed in the leg again

Stenogirl I want to get the girls passports too, do you have to take baby photo's in the little passport photo booths? what about getting the picture verified?

OWO I think you should start a thread for some BF support, there is a mumsnetter called Tiktok who has great advice and always helps. Hugs to you, hope it gets better for you

Hi Lavita

I take my girls to a photoplace in town (we have two that do it here Jessops and SnappySnaps) and they do the passport pics using a white beanbag for about £7.

You will have to get them verified, you even have to get children's renewals verified when they expire after five years. I work in a shop and get my manager or another supervisor to do this for me.

HTH

Thanks Shootingstar the bean bag makes sense, I had visions of holding the girls up whilst crouched on the floor of the photobooth what a wally

OWO sorry to hear the group you went to made you feel worse. I can't be sure we are getting 5-6 wet nappies a day, I find it hard to keep count. I second the suggestion that you get some help from tiktok. Don't feel like a failure, just keep at it. I know plenty of people who swear by nipple shields.

I've made an appointment to register Bob's birth. A very grumpy woman on the phone says the only appointment I can have is at 9am, hopefully by then I will be getting up before 11!

I used the moby to take him into register with the doctor today, he cried all the way home because he was hungry. At one point I was going to stop and try to feed him in the street but it was really raining. Tomorrow I think I'll give the pram an outing.

I'm meeting up with my NCT group next week and am a bit worried about not being able to breastfeed discreetly in public. Any tips?

DF im wearing my old tops, shirts etc, with strap tops under, pulling one up and the strap top down - (then fucking around with sheilds!) and then latching ruby on, try tucking a muslinunder your bra strap so it acts as a cover or buy a cover? here

im currently feeding ruby in the moby!!!!

and have bought another one, so now have one greeny one, and a lovely girly rose pink one (just for me to use)

DF I take a muslin cloth out with me to shield my boobs! I've also got some feeding vest-type tops from Mothercare that you waer underneath your normal top - that way, i can feed without the world seeing my midrif and left over pregnant belly!

What's a Moby though? I presume it's a type of sling? I have a baby Bjorn from when my DS was little but the Moby sounds much nicer?

OWO I'm going to start going to the BF support group next week - am hoping for some good tips! With regard to the number of poos - my HV and MW said BF babies can range between going severl times a day to only once a week. I'm also pretty sure I've read this is the infoo given to me by my HV? When DS was born, he went for 9 days without having a poo - the MW said she would only do something if he wet up to 10 days.

Well, DD has been feeding non stop all day but DS has been in nursery so not a problem - any ideas on how to entertain a 3 yr old all day whilst bf?? Feeling very guilty for allowing so much TV but sometimes seems like the only option when I'm being milked!!

went up to 10 days, not wet oops!