March 2011 - we made it!

[Muser]

The waiting is over, the babies are arriving. March 2011 mums, come on in your time is up.

Hi all and sorry for lack of posts. Am wondering if any of ye'r DC's have any nasal congestion? Mya has it for the last couple of days and it's stopping her eating and sleeping which is obviously making things tough, and she's much more pukey and today there seemed to be yellow mucus in her spit up. Anyone else having anything similiar??

We have the ca pol saline spray for the congestion niamh, seems to work well, in combination with an aspirator. I hope you get some respite soon, it is so sad when they wake with snotty noses, god knows i hate being bunged up when i have a cold!!

Just got that saline spray today and she seems a bit better this evening, hopefully tonight goes ok and we get a bit of sleep.

Snufflebabe (rub it on chest) is brilliant stuff for congestion/ colds, not sure what age you can use it from though. We also have a plug in smelly thing made by calpol. Good old steam is also good, turn on your shower for a while then take her in there, not for
too long tho or she will overheat.

I am having major probs here, DS is constantly needing to feed, crying if not feeding, I can't decide if it's silent reflux or a growth spurt.

Thanks for the tips! They usuall have a growth spurt around 3 weeks dOnt they? I know all mine cluster fed at least once a day where they would have 2-3 bottles in a row but if it's around the clock it's not likely to be that.

Honeymoonmummy My three-week-old is the same. Wants to do nothing but eat, then spits up a lot because there's just no room in her tummy for all that milk! I'm told it's probably a growth spurt and not to worry, but it's so hard not to worry when she won't sleep and gets overtired and inconsolable. Yesterday and the night before were terrible, but last night was a bit better: she slept for a few hours, which I appreciated bc I've been so exhausted.

Baby is gaining loads of weight, so she's definitely digesting a lot of what she's packing in to that tiny body. But it can be alarming how much she wants to eat, and how little sleep she'll get some days.

A few people have mentioned silent reflux. I don't know anything about that, so must look into it.

Hi ladies. Well I finally made it! I'm slowly coming back down to earth but it's been a bit of a blur for the past few days.... quick birth story....

Last Monday I felt a few twinges, sometimes regular, sometimes a few hours apart. Went to bed Monday night and started timing cx during the night, coming every 20 mins or so. Got up Tuesday 6am and they hit me, 5 mins apart for a good while so rang hospital, they suggested warm bath and to stay at home for as long as possible. Had bath, was the best bath i've ever taken I also put on TENS machine.

Cx coming and going but around midday they hit me again, 5 and 4 mins apart and didn't stop so rang hospital, they advised I go in and get examined. Got there around 2pm, examined and was 4cm diliated. I was over the moon as was convinced they would tell me I'm not even dilating and to go home!

So, monitoring started and they noticed that my pulse was racing, 140bpm. They started tests on me, ecg, kidney, liver and thyroid tests - all came back normal. They put me on fluids as ketones found in my wee.

Examined again 4 hours later, 5cms dilated. Started on gas and air and midwife broke my waters. Became increasingly tired, they decided things were going too slow so started me on the drip to speed up cx's and boy they did! Examined, 8cm - a while longer, examined again, 9cm, still a bit of cervix over babies head. I realise what transition is now - this was by far the toughest part of labour. Finally got to 10cm and was allowed to push. After a few cx's they found that baby was posterior, so doctor was called and he decided to use ventouse and episiotomey (sp?) to help baby out. So, with a few more pushes and pulling, Ruby was born at 2.16am on Wednesday 6th April 2011. She cried as soon as she was born and it was the most amazing feeling to have my baby on my chest. So surreal.

I started bfeeding, but it wasn't easy and my nipples are shredded so with many tears and lots of guilt I have switched to formula. She is currently feeding around every 2-3 hours and seems to be a very contented baby.

I will post more again, but think I have posted enough for now love to all x

Hi ladies,
Have only read this last page as I have a lot to catch up on. In a moment of exhaustion induced stupidity I left my laptop on the floor in the way of the door and my OH stood on it and broke it while carrying the carrycot out the door so getting on to keep updated is a little more tricky.

Congrats JoJo, you were expecting last but are you the last to cross over? I guess anyone who was left would be looking at being induced by now or in the next couple of days at least. I've lost the old thread to check.

I hope all your babies are doing well as well as all you mummies. I have had a hectic few weeks with the chaos of my family's brief visits and my OH's family's not so brief visit. It was the longest 5 days of my life! I actually liked them even with the language barrier but I found they drove me mad while they were here as I got to hold my little girl when she was feeding or needed changing but in those brief moments where she was awake and not wanting anything it was expected that I hand her over. At one point I said "no, she's mine" in a friendly joky way so I could enjoy the moment with her but then a couple of minutes later my OH told me to pass her over to his mother and as to not make a big fuss I did but I was furious about it.

Starting to understand why people say the first year after the birth of your first child is the hardest in a relationship as I'm finding it quite trying. I'm feeling like a single parent but with the added annoyance that I don't get to watch what I like on TV and there are dishes that I haven't used in the sink. To make it worse I'm far too tired to take him up on it. Maybe I'm being unreasonable and too hormonal to recognise it.

For those with overfeeding BF babies are you really sure they are feeding? I've come to the conclusion that Anya comfort sucks. There is no way her little belly can need 1 and a half hour feeds and then 20 minutes later another feed. She has developed a habit of falling asleep at my breast and if she wakes she seems to want another suck to send her back to sleep. Not really sure how I can tell if she is just feeding slowly or if she is just making the motions. I can see her jaw moving but still not sure she is drinking. I'm even less sure about what to do about it as giving her the breast is the only way of stopping her crying regardless of how sore my boobs are by that point. She's also rather stubborn and although she will drink from a bottle when my OH offers or anyone who isn't me offers she will push it away if I offer it to her and cry for the breast instead

Hi all,

I definately found that DS1 was harder work than DS2. It is so much harder since you can do research to your hearts content but the reality is overwhelming - you are doing well if you survive the first 6 weeks!
As for ms today is the day where I had both DS on my own. Started off ok as we were going to a children's centre although DS1 got tired as a result of the walk. We intended to get a quick lunch and have a picnic or rather I did since DS1 didn't eat anything I offered him. He got a cupcake and proceeded to everything to it other than eat it. The net result was it went in bin - cue hysterics and a refusal to walk and hold my hand. Of course picking him up and carrying him resulted in him demanding to walk... And rinse and repeat.
We got the bus back but that was one of the longer journeys.
I am going to have to re-think this aren't I?

Hello everyone, and welcome and congrats to the newcomers! Haven't had a moment to post in 2 weeks because Franz won't let me put him down...EVER...but currently have a 2-handed typing moment! :)

Was surprised to see how many of you went through similar experiences as mine with the BF...(recap: successful first 2 days in hospital, then shredded to bits, guilt, formula, more guilt,..) We are approaching 5 weeks and I've kept up w/ BF minimally, depending on whether he latches properly, or decides to use me as a chew toy! I'm annoyed that NOW all my friends and family members are telling me their stories. Wish I had known what to expect in advance, but as GeekLove just wrote there is only so much research one can do before you really understand.

Franz is a US citizen now! However, we just learned that once he leaves the UK, he can't return (unless as a tourist ! :) ) since my work permit won't be applicable for him! So now we need to get him a German (EU) passport so he can travel and return to the UK legally. Poor little stateless guy.

Back to the formula guilt...he hasn't had a poo in 3 days and is a bit miserable at times. Tried the baby massage yesterday but don't want to use too many meds/oils on him.

Biggest prob so far is just putting him down so that I can start my day. The sling works, but not easy to shower with!

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Catherine I wish I knew! She definitely likes suckling for comfort and sometimes we'll give her a dummy for a few minutes to settle her (or an extra few minutes BFing) and she'll fall asleep, but other days (like today and Sunday), all she wants is to be on the boob. She hasn't slept all day. Got up at 6:30 and since then just wants to eat/suckle the ENTIRE time. I don't really know what to do when she gets like that. People say it's normal, just go with it, but I'm exhausted. She'll get sleepy, but as soon as we put her down, she's wide awake and crying and the only thing that will keep her settled is being on the breast.

ckny1 I applaud how organized you are! We still have to register our baby, then deal with the passports (US and Italy, hopefully UK too at some point). Good luck getting the German passport sorted -- Germany is so beautifully efficient, it shouldn't take long.

Baby finally fell asleep after spending all day grazing. I'm now going to try for a quick dinner and maybe another nap before the next round of feeding commences.

edeluna I have got a very similar baby to you! Never wants to be put down and eats loads! Ds2 was similar. Found the baby wearing great, but to get a shower i would sit him in the bouncer chair and HD and ds3 are ok for a few minutes - just long enough to shower before the wailing starts! It shouldn't last too long! There is hope!!!
I am co sleeping as ds3 feeds every 2 hours at night after an initial 4 hour sleep- it means I am not spending an hour trying to settle him in his own bed only for him to wake and want feeding again!

edeluna and cherub, I hope you've had some rest and been able to find at least 20 minutes to put your LO's down. We have the same, though it's finally improved during the night!!! We go through a little routine (FF, read a short book, take a short bath some nights, BF, then use the dummy and his cozy sleeping bag to put him down...in his carry cot). But when I'm home during the day it's difficult to do anything w, 2 hands free. He screams bloody murder when I'm halfway done with my shower, v. stressful.

I am not the organized one, my German DH is! :) Unfortunately the German gov is not as progressive nor efficient as I thought...since we have different last names, we first need to do a name declaration, then when that's approved, apply for the passport. Hopefully it will work in time for our trip to the US in July.

Good luck with the passports...

Well I feel very German today as I have managed too sort and have back all the relevant documentation for tax creds and child benefit. About to address passport although have had the pics for a while and studnet finance.

Am very pleased with how the easter hols are going here. My cousin is over from Australia with his daughter (for our nans funeral, dont know if i mentioned). Anyway we have been out on public transport me and all 3 DC every day since Sunday in a lovely private park in the West End. I have taken a picnic each time and managed to spend very little, got loads more play dates planned so feeling very good mummy vibes.

Catherine - everything you said reminded me of when I had DS1. DH family felt some kind of overriding "right" to him and if he cried they would walk away and try to settle him and I just wanted to scream "give him back". Do they live here or overseas? DH and I argued loads over this. I would say for most of the first year because we just shouted rather than talked about it, so my advice FWIW is make sure it is addressed early on - I honestly thought we were going to be heading for divorce. Calm talk is key.

E is doing great> As with everyone else he seems to be really awake in the day, but I am grateful it isnt night time. He also feeds lots (FF) which I didnt experience with the others. I am just going with the demand feeding idea like I would if I was BF.

He is 3.5 weeks now and my boobs are still leaking slightly not constantly or anything and mainly at night and I am toying with the idea of maybe trying to offer him the breast eveyr now and then. I dont really kno why but I just think it feels like a good idea but not sure i can face potentially going down the bleeding nipples route. When I stopped BF with the other two I am sure a;; the ;leaking etc was over way before this. It feels like my subconscious telling me that I still want to do it IYSWIM>

I do read most days and just now have E in the sling so can just about manage to post. Apologies for the typos.

Mixed, I had the same soreness, bleeding, and skin coming off, and cringed at the thought of attempting BFing again, but after a week of healing, using Lansinoh and cooling gel pads, and having a lactation consultant's help, I had the confidence to start again SLOWLY. I still don't BF full time, but try to maintain at least 2 - 4 times a day from each breast, depending on whether any soreness comes back. Good luck with this, though don't stress yourself out!

Hello everyone and congrats on becoming mummies :)
Haven't posted on this thread but I've now managed to catch up I think.
Haris is almost 4 weeks old, now weighs 10.2! Couldnt believe it but knew he was feeding well (bf). He weighed 8.8 at birth.
We had trouble at first and I was hand expressingin hospital n finally had to resort to nipple shields. He did eventually feed but now he won't feed without. I've tried but he just screams n I'm to tired to try. My HV scared me n said my milk would dry up after 6 weeks if I carried on but my MW said she used them so I'm bit confused. He is thriving though.

The night times I find easier than the days, I feed around 9 to 10 pm, he sleeps for 2-3 hours, feed 15 mins each side n he sleeps for 2 or so hours n same pattern so quite happy but day time he doesn't sleep much n feeds every hour sometimes unless we go out in the car or walk. Think he has slight colic too so I'm giving him infocol.

Sometimes I think I should be doing more with him other than feeding n putting him to sleep but I guess that's all they need at this stage..

I too am struggling with my OH it does put a strain on ur relationship abit, he isn't here all the time so I am the main care giver to Haris n when he does come he just wants to play with him even if I know he should be going to sleep. I am overlooked somewhat, n generally feel bit lonely at times n overwhelmed. It seems so much better when I'm out though.

Last night my dad n stepmum took me out for dinner with the baby !!! Was very worried he would cry n then I'd have to feed him but he slept the whole time n I had a lovely time.

I know this is a longish post but I'm feeding him n it makes the time pass quicker.

Xx

Morning all, hope you all had relatively good nights, Lara was up feeding every 2 hours last night, in the end I just kept her in bed with me. Kept losing track of what boob to use! I knew the early sleepy phase was too good to last (last week she gave me a few 5 hour stretches at night and even an 11-6!!!!). She's 2 weeks old tmro.

catherine I must say that I find family politics one of the hardest things about having kids - giving everyone equal access etc. I go to much more effort than DH to make sure things are fair on both sides of the family but you don't get thanked for it!! Still I suppose that's one of the many thankless elements of being a mum!!

ckny1 that's really impressive that you've got the bfeeding going again after a gap. Well done!

gem it's hard when they feed so much isn't it. Lara cluster-feeds sometimes and it's exhausting. I find it hard to explain to DH how tiring bf is - I can see how it looks quite easy from the outside. (like being pregnant!) I think he's mainly amazed at how much food I'm putting away at the mo...

mixedmama I totally agree about the strain on relationships, especially when it's your first. I think if there's any cracks in a relationship at all, having a kid will pretty much blow it apart!! Things feel more relaxed second time around, I'm still getting frustrated with him not tidying up when there are obvious things to do around the house etc but I guess they are normally at work and those chores aren't as obvious to them.

Well I have one snoring baby next to me and a snoring toddler next door - I think they are sharing the same cold bless them. Those with older kids - do you suddenly find yourself expecting a lot more of them? DS1 is 22 months old and seems huge all of a sudden. Changing his nappy is like changing a 10yr old or something!! I had a little cry last night because he's not the baby anymore and I felt sorry for him :( I know it's lovely that he has a sibling now but what with his cold and everything he seems quite bewildered. He loves the baby though, "Lovely Lara!"

Last thing - anyone watch that Breast is Best programme the other night?

PS congrats JoJo ! that sounds like quite a lengthy process, DS1 delivery was like that. I hope you get some good recovery time and look after those stitches, you don't want them to get infected (mine did with DS1). Earlier in this thread I passed on a good tip from my midwife - to dry "down there" after bath or shower, use a hairdryer because the heat encourages the healing process.

chky1
Congratulations on keeping up BF even if it is part-time! It isn't as easy as it looks, especially the first week. Also re baby not pooing, my EBF baby is once every 4 days - he's gone without for 6 as his record! As long as there are plenty of wet nappies and your baby is otherwise contented everything's ok!

gem3225
I too have a baby who can put it away.'M is now 9.7 up from 8.9 at birth.'he tends to feed every 2 hours during the day with 2-3'long naps and longer naps at night.'he goes in the basket during the day but we pretty much co-sleep at night as it just makes feeding easier. We make sure he doesn't overheat by opening his sleepsuit and taking his feet out- being able to feed lying down is a godsend.

Also advice about nighttime - whenever they awake dont look at the clock -'it will only make you miserable. In this case ignorance is bliss!

Thanks for the tip Lozario. I've been air-drying them as often as possible, DH caught me legs akimbo on the bed earlier this week I don't feel sore down there anymore so hopefully all on the mend.

I have to admit that I could never have imagined how much hard work the last week has been, both emotionally and physically. I'm so overwhelmed by it all and have had many wobbly moments. I've likened it to being hit over the head with a sledgehammer, but being happy about it! I think I'm starting to get used to things, our lives are so different, but so much better.

I'm sorry about the mememe post, just helps to get it out and you ladies of all people know exactly where I am coming from.

Hope you are all well x

jojo I know exactly where you are coming from. I am starting to feel more normal 16 days in - a new kind of normal- but the feeling of being hit by a sledgehammer is fading.

Am very happy right now - Hannah regained her birth weight at 10 days and now at 16 days is 9 pound 1 - birth weight was 8 pound 9. She does not sleep at all during the day unless held but is much better at night. Gtg baby crying!

Hi all,
brief post before Anya starts screaming again. I've put her down in her carrycot which usually wakes her up and now she is awake, hiccuping but not crying yet.

Finding her constant need of being held exhausting added to that my cat is jealous and keeps cuddling up too and is now taking advantage of Anya being in bed. Not slept much either this last week - I've even given up going to bed and sleep on the sofa as it is easier to put her in her carrycot from the sofa than put her in her crib from the bed. She has taken to constant feeding between 11:30pm till about 3am. She will start and stop constantly and I'm a bit worried I don't have the milk to satisfy her and thats why she feeds for so long but then when I squeeze my breast I can hand express some milk so I know there is some there. She pulls off the breast and starts crying, anyone know why she might be doing this? Had intended to go to the NCT Bump and babies group this morning but due to her feeding till 3:30am, then again at 5am and again at 6:30am I kinda slept through it.

Hello all - as posted on the AN thread, Elizabeth Alice was born on 26 March. We got home the next day, but she fell ill the day after that, and we returned to the hospital where she stayed on the Neonatal Unit for 2 weeks. We got home yesterday, joy! And so far, she's been great.

Having fed non-stop for her first 48 hours, she then stopped. By the time my CMW saw us, she was really listless, and we tried various things to get her to feed. CMW sent us to the hospital thinking it was jaundice-related, but it emerged she had a temp of 33 degrees, and blood sugar so low it didn't register.

She's crying now, so tbc....

Oh Catherine you poor thing you must be exhausted! If I were you I'd kick your DH outta bed, get him to sleep on the sofa and investigate co-sleeping with Anya. I never did this with DD1 but am a bit more relaxed this time and have brought Bethany into bed with me a few times now so I can at least doze while she feeds. It makes a lot of difference! There are a few successful co-sleepers on this thread you can ask for advice, and loads of co-sleeping threads on MN.

The other BIG thing I have done is to put B to sleep in her basket on her tummy. I feel like a criminal doing this and didnt tell anybody (!) but she seems a lot more settled straight away on her tum. I think it helps with the tummy ache from trapped wind. I have done a bit of reading up on this too, and a lot of mums put baby down on tum, wait ten minutes and then carefully turn them over so they are on back again (and hopefully so fast asleep they dont notice!)

Have a good look through the sleeping threads and the BF threads, there is so much advice out there.

Hope things are settling down now and DH is helping out a bit more.