March 2011 - we made it!

[Muser]

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

Catherine I'm going through this with my baby too. I think it's the 3-week growth spurt - at least that's what everyone tells me and a bunch of stuff I've read points to. Today she pretty much wanted to feed constantly, with brief pauses only when someone else was cuddling her. As soon as I hold her though, she wants to feed. I'm talking once or twice an hour for hours on end. Some of it is comfort suckling, but she's also consuming a lot of milk. I've worried too about running out. I keep some expressed milk in the fridge just in case of emergencies. Really hoping this passes quickly.

Finally got her to sleep about half an hour ago. Going to try to get some sleep now myself in case the whole cycle kicks off again tonight. Good luck with Anya!

Hi ladies

Sorry I haven't managed to pop in earlier. Haven't caught up with the thread properly yet, but just wanted to give a bit of reassurance to those of you worried about breastfeeding and milk supply during growth spurts.

Please don't worry about your supply. As long as your baby is gaining weight and having plenty of wet and dirty nappies they will be fine. Breasts don't 'empty' like that - the more you take out the faster they fill so there will always be something there. The act of sucking stimulates your body to produce more milk. I found when I was bfing DD that I could get uncomfortably full again once a growth spurt subsided!

Hope everyone's doing well and enjoying their babies and at least getting some sleep

My beautiful little boy was finally registered yesterday. We're calling him Francis William, or Frankie for short . So far he has been a much easier baby than DD was (she was a screamy refluxy baby), so I am really enjoying it this time round. OMG though, it is hard work with both of them

Hi all,

apologies for lack of posts, I've been Reading all your posts but just haven't managed to scribble anything myself!!sounds like everyone is doing a fab job - it's hard work isn't it. Nothing could have prepared me for this!!

1catherine1 - isobel went through the same thing. She fed every 1-2hrs from 8pm till 3 around her 2-3week period. It was such hard work but does improve. We co-slept, mostly because she refused to sleep anywhere else! It worked well as I could feed lying down and then we'd both go straight bk to sleep. Don't worry - it will improve!

Isobel is doing really well. After exclusively BF, I got a cracked bleeding nipple. It was awful - blood was seeping out and it developed a big hole. Urgh!despite using lanisoh. So I've just been expressing from that side a couple of times a day. Isobel then has 2 btls of formula a day. It's actually really settled her, and she now sleeps in 4-5 hr blocks at night, sometimes longer. She managing well btn bottle and boob and my DH loves feeding her. So I think we'll stick with that, I find it takes the pressure off me. However, I have a huge irrational guilt every time I feed her with formula! She's currently in the middle of her 6 wk growth spurt and am looking forward to getting her weighed - we must have hit double figures by now!!

anyway hope everyone is well! Have a lovely weekend!
Lozario - haven't watched the breast is best program but planning on over the weekend!
Xx

Sympathies to those with constantly feeding babies and annoying visiting replies. I remember with ds1 and to lesser extent that if visitors pop in you don't yet a look in on holding your own baby v v annoying. More confident this time though so more prepared to instigate a nappy change to steal my lovely girl back for cuddles they are only small for such a little time.

Have been reading and meaning to post for days but was trying to grab a moment to do on proper 'pooter' and not phone which seems to take ages. Currently have E upright on front to hopefully encourage milk down and wind up. Anyone got any good tips for winding btw??

Medee sounds v stressful hope Lo ok now. Similar but not as bad exp with DS he dropped massively weight wise and ended up in NICU - put me off bf tbh. Still trying to express here but supply seems to be on the decline - any tips for increasing it??

TMI alert coming, but advice welcomed - have had abdo pain for a few days and thought initially 'poo' pains - isn't (pretty sure) and getting worse to the point that it hurts to walk. Also have bit of a temp and there is a bit of an unpleasant whiff down there. Any advice for me - think I probably need to call MW or hospital in morning but just in case. Inspected where stitches were and it all looks pretty good so what else might itbe.

Must go final attempt at winding and then must sleep - hurrah thoughts DH doing middle of night feed!!

Look forward to hearing news from others.
Jx

I'd get checked out Jupiter, might be something you can't see.

Meedee, it is lovely to see you here.

1Catherine that does sound like a growth spurt, it will get better. You honestly won't run out of milk and in fact it'll help boost your supply. My LO can get fussy and upset on the boob at times, I think it's normal. I hope things settle down for you soon.

I would keep perservering through the crazy first weeks of feeding as it does get so much better. We're two months in here and feeding is absolutely fine. My new issue is daytime naps. She will only sleep in her sling so I am constantly on the go. Hoping this will pass too!

Didn't someone upthread comment on the smell being bits of placenta that hadn't been removed properly? Definitely get checked out, Jupiter. Call NHS Direct if in doubt given it is the weekend.

I didn't finish the story, sorry! Anyway, once she was stabilised on NICU, the seizures started. Very scary. Eventual assumed diagnosis was that it was meningitis (but they couldn't confirm as she had had 48hours of antibiotics in that time so the lumber puncture was clear). 2 weeks, lots of anti-convulsants and antibiotics later, she is home with us.

I expressed in hospital, as she was tube fed for a while before starting breast feeds again - you need to do it 6-8 times a day, but the stimulation will never be what your baby can stimulate. Also, have you tried some skin to skin? Before we left hospital, I asked for the breastfeeding support midwife to see me to work on our latch, and she was really helpful. After she left, we did skin to skin and EA practically launched herself at my nipple, all by herself - it was amazing to watch! The oxytocin that S-S stimulates helps your production. Also, herbal remedies are Fenugreek (currently in H+B on a Buy One Get One for a Penny offer) and apparently Sweet Fennel Tea (not tried yet, but can be got in the Polish aisle of your supermarket.)

Wow Medee. Glad your LO is home and all is sorted but how scary. You sound very sorted though.

Jupiter - E rarely brings up wind in the sitting position but almost always if I hold him upright and over my shoulder. In fact he likes this position generally.

Muser - I am getting lots of use out of my sling too. E spent all morning grizzling/crying and then I put him in the sling and within minutes was asleep. I have to confess that although at times it can be a tad inconvenient like trying to cook (I am short so have to work over him) I quite like it - and it only works when I do it so no annoying relatives taking over.

We're between weeks 2 and 3 at the moment and Lara is REFUSING to settle in her moses basket at night - literally amazing, you can do the transfer as gently as anything but as soon as she's in, it's eyes open and wailing. Tried to settle her from 10pm til 12.30 last night, in the end, gave up, sent snoring DH downstairs and kept her in bed with me. Already bored of the sleep deprivation! Isn't it awful how they trick you in the first week into thinking they are nice and settled - all of the first week, we were sitting down to dinner at the table, her in the corner asleep in her carry cot - not anymore!!!

Jupiter hope all is well - definitely worth getting it checked out.

Muser you're TWO MONTHS in - that's amazing??!

would have written more but that is how long she's stayed asleep in the carry cot without being held! All of 10 mins!

I know Lozario, I can't believe how quickly it's gone! It's just lovely watching her grow and change. She's full of squeaks and coos now, and really interested in the world. Although right now she's mostly interested in my boob!

Hello everyone,

Haven't had a chance to check in for a while. After 18hours of FF I realised I didnt want to give up BF, I just needed a break and we went to get some help. Since then we have been at BF groups pretty much everyday and when there isn't a group for us to go to we've had the MCA's out to us. BF is still painful but now half as bad as it was! I would like to get it sorted before the 3 week growth spurt kicks in and he's feeding even more! I know the theory of latching, I just dont seem to be able to make it work IRL - we just keep shoving boob in and hoping for the best and relatching if needs be.

Anyone know what to do about a projectile spitter-upper?

Catherine: I'm feeling your exhaustion, Mya wakes about every 3 hours at night and takes at least an hour to get back down (sometimes 2hrs) so sleep is hard to come by and cause I have 2 other DD's I don't get to nap during the day, DH is going to do the night feeds tonight so hopefully I'll get my first proper sleep in 3 weeks........hopefully!

So here's a question: has anyone (ahem) resumed "marital relations" yet? I ask because although I'd like to I had a problem with my stitches (some came undone so I'm left with a bit of a gash down there) and I'm nervous about doing more damage, but how will I know when I'm fully healed??

Pettyprudance: try taking feeds slowly with lots of burping breaks, you can also try a small bit of infacol or something similar before feeds to help with wind. My DD2 was what I heard referred to as a "happy chucker" she just didn't know when she was full so was chuck up a good bit after her feeds but it didn't bother her at all and it went away completely when she started solids.

jupiter

Sounds like there is something retained and that you may have an infection especially if there is a bad smell. Try and get the midwives on their out of hours number -'they should see you quickly if you tell the symptoms. You should not delay seeking help. If you can't get out of hours care then I would either go to a walk in centre or a&e.
Please seek help ASAP

Anyone else's DC developed an umbilical granuloma? Our gp says that they no longer do the silver nitrate but just leave it and will sort itself out. Seen all sorts of conflicting advice online (that'll teach me!)

niamh - I did laugh at the "ahem" before your question. I judge how well I have healed from when I go to the toilet and wipe myself, I cant really see any other way. You could try to have sex and then if you feel uncomfortable stop.

medee That sounds so awful, so glad your DD is feeding well now.

jupiter I hope all is ok and you have been checked out.

niamh I was wondering the same thing. I had a epi and second degree tears. In my head I feel very loving toward DP & would like to have sex again but wonder when i'll know when i'm healed. I also imagine I may think I feel pain even if if its pain free IYKWIM. Am definatly going to wait until my 6 week check but maybe not too much longer so it doesn't become something im scared of.

cherub I'm not sure what umbilcial granuloma is but I hope it sorts itself out soon & your DC is ok.

Any else use a moby wrap? I am getting into mine but find I get very hot on even short walks. Poor DD ends up covered in my sweat although she seems ok temperature wise. Is this hormonal & will it fade? Normal? Or should I look into another sling?

Well I don't have any pain or discomfort "down there" and the bleeding has almost stopped so I'm hoping maybe another week and we'll try. I usually waited 3-4 weeks with my other two and DD1 I had an epi, the first time is always a bit "will this hurt??" but after that it's usually fine, if it wasn't for the complication with my stitches I'd probably be back to normal already cause I think it's good to do it as soon as you can, it prevents it becoming an issue.

Haloflo: feeling hot is usually hormonal, I felt very sweaty in the last few weeks of pregnancy and the night Mya was born I sweat buckets......yuck! It'll probably die down after a few weeks.

Still didn't get a good sleep last night, even though DH was feeding Mya, she was awake for nearly 3 hours so I just took over as DH was losing patience, so still waiting for a decent sleep, maybe next weekend?

Hi ladies, have been flat out since Lola was born!! The first 10 days were rather easy (she fed and slept regularly) but the last three nights have been stressful with lots of crying.

We think it is wind/tummy related, but can't be sure. We just bought some Infacol and gave her her first dose. Hope it helps. Does anyone else have experience of this? Has it worked? How long did it take to work?

We could do with some encouraging words at this point, as we're finding it a bit upsetting hearing our little daughter cry so hard :(

Pip x

PS. For some reason I'm still on the list as "due" but our daughter Lola was born on 3rd April. I mentioned this on the other thread but perhaps it didn't make it across. If anyone has time (god knows how) could you please do me a favour and update?

PPS. Really hope you're all going well. I haven't been around much - no time to draw breath!!

Hi pip
My ds2 had terrible wind problems- was virtually impossible to burp him. I found gripe water much better than infacol ( which is basically a silicon coating that allows small air bubbles to come together for one big burp) but gripe water is from 1 month I think.
I found carrying them facing outwards upright with my left hand over tummy and going up and down stairs helped - you can do that hold from when baby starts holding his head and it puts pressure on their tummy which helps.
They do grow out of it when they can move more - but for my ds2 this was at 8 months! Hope your little lady gets some relief soon!

I have both children asleep at the same time by some miracle, so thought I'd grab lunch and post whilst I can!

niamh get you and your getting back in the saddle!! I think you're right about avoiding it becoming an issue though- after DS1 I think it was about 4 months for us, but I was very worried about my stitches which were infected for ages and after that I was just too anxious about DS1 to even think about it. I would agree when the bleeding stops is a good idea.

Pip it's really hard to see them suffering isn't it. Up-right positions do help, and with DS1 we found that cranial osteopathy helped too - I'm taking Lara on Saturday for a session. Oh and massage - there are some baby massage techniques that can soothe them too. Poor little mite - and poor you too! Lara gets stabs of pain occasionally and it's so sad to see her little face scrunch up and yelp! :(

cherub no experience of that I'm afraid - what is it? Hope all ok.

Jupiter how are you?

Taking DD to the doctors this arvo as she has very raw looking skin around her neck, I have been putting olive oil on it but I'm not sure whether that's making it worse or what, maybe it should be kept dry. It looks really painful. She still has a cold bless her - harsh having a cold in week 3 of your life! She's settling a bit more in the moses basket at night now, but during the day, she just seems very wakeful, all the time, and often gets in to a vicious cycle of feeding a bit and nodding off, but then waking again because she hasn't fed enough, and so on and so on! Very frustrating.

Well DD now waking up so that was short and sweet! Nice to have a bit of a break though, even if it was only long enough to eat a packet of salt and vinegar squares and write this!

Hello - [staggers in rattling] - thank you all for you kind thoughts - got checked out - now have antibiotics to clear up bit of a womb infection and the whiff and a separate lot of AB to clear up a UTI (very stinging sensation in perineal area when I wee - I seem to be a picture of health - not. This time with AB though I am also taking probiotics and vit b complex to try and avoid another round of thrush which I had after some AB a couple of weeks ago.

Am pondering the expressing though and whether the AB might mean I just admit defeat. I feel quite sad about that though because I know all the benefits etc, but I'm just not managing to express often enough in the day to keep the supply up and with the first lot of AB E ended up unsettled and with bit of a jippy tum. Oh I don't know - think last weeks documentary of BF has just made me think perhaps I should have given it a bit more of a chance. Petty respect for going back to it and perservering. Oh I don't know what to do - so indecisive. On the plus side E is sleeping well at quite settled.

lozario - waitrose sell a 'butter' type version of olive oil - called bottom butter - effectively it is like olive oil butter, but completely natural - we use it for DS' eczema - might be less messy? Also is amazing for your own skin and not too pricey about £3 I think. Hope your trip to Drs has been fruitful.

niamh get you thinking about marital relations! I can't face it yet - still too sore down there.

wind is still an issue here though have been hearing some excellent trumps from the young lady - she is 4 weeks tomorrow so will try gripe water. MW said last week infacol at beginning of feed and gripe water at the end. She also said that infacol takes a couple of days to have a real impact so worth perservering with it perhaps.

halo I am also v sweaty - is not nice, but I think hormonal and the body's way of ridding you of extra fluid accumulated in pregnancy. On the bright side it is weightloss!!

Hello to anyone else reading - bloody diffucult to post with one hand or just on phone - this is a luxury post using a computer with both hands - brief window of opportunity as E is snoozling (I suspect only briefly) in the bounchy chair.

evening ladies,

niamh, thought about it and feel completely healed but to be honest I'm too tired and my OH definitely deserves to go without a little longer after complaining about how tiring his job is . I'm going to hold off until I've got my implant back in as there's no chance I want to do all this again any time soon.

Glad to hear I'm not the only really sweaty one! The other day i was getting rather frustrated that i felt smelly only an hour after having a shower - it is getting better though.

re wind - I'm quite unsuccessful at winding but have found that not trying and taking a walk around the flat together with her chest to mine does the trick. Since she is rather clingy atm we tend to do this a lot- she also will not settle anywhere but on me- even cries when she's with her papa. My sister thinks its cute but I just find it exhausting so much so that I am more frequently falling asleep with her feeding at my breast.

HV due tomorrow - looking forward to Anya being weighed again. Hoping this constant feeding is putting weight on her rather than her just throwing it all up which is how it feels sometimes. Also hoping to ask HV about my own health concern. I've had a lump appear in my breast that has been there about a week and won't go. Obviously causing me concern but hoping she'll say it's related to me BF and then I can avoid my GP for a little while longer. Although I know she'll probably send me there anyway.

anyway - must go, Anya is bored and wants ... something....

wind Two tips I picked up at the NNU. The rubbing/ patting doesn't do anything, just gives us something to do. Sitting the baby on your knee and rotating it from the waist up (clearly well supporting the head) can help.

I'm joining the "3 week growth spurt" gang I think. Mya has been feeding every 2-3 hours for the past 48 hours and every feed takes an hour, it's exhausting!! I'm definitely a bleary eyed mother now! She also takes ages to be put down cause she doesn't like being out of my arms so it takes a few tries and she doesn't like the soother which we have been trying since she was a few days old. I'm going to try a different type before I give up completely!

Wind: my best trick is prop her up and keep her back as straight as possible and just leav her like that for a minute and if the wind doesn't come up I change position and try again.

Updated list for Pip and Jojo I hope noone minds but I have removed the "due" from the thread, if anyone wants to join/report the birth of their DC then they can always be added back on.

ARRIVALS:

09/10/2010 (due 25/02) Spilttheteagain pg#1, baby girl Bobbie, born sleeping at 20 weeks, RIP xxx
15/02/2011 (due 27/02) Muser pg#1 - baby girl
15/02/2011 (due 04/03) Jeffily pg#3,(DD1 angel baby, DD2 15months) - baby girl Leila Hope
19/02/2011 (due 02/03) AfterIVF - baby girl Isabel
21/02/2011 (due 27/02) Mendipgirl pg#2 (DD1) - baby girl
24/02/2011 (due 24/02) Sam26oscar - baby girl Cassie Cherry at 10.47am 6lb 10oz
01/03/2011 (due 03/03) irishqueen - baby girl Maeve 7lb
02/03/2011 (due 18/03) Jenchandler- baby girl Isobel Seren at 7.11pm 6lb 12oz
03/03/2011 (due 10/03) Spaceal - baby girl 5lbs 11oz
04/03/2011 (due 04/03) CarrieBadshaw - baby BOY 10lbs.
04/03/2011 (due 04/03) Bluebeach -baby girl Hester 7lbs
04/03/2011 (due 12/03) am988 - baby boy at 02.26am 7lb 7oz
06/03/2011 (due 05/03) Hattie05 - baby Boy at 4:30am 8lb 9oz
07/03/2011 (due 17/03) Niknan pg#3 (DS3,1MC) - baby girl Charlotte Louise at 4.16am - 6lb 2oz.
08/03/2011 (due 04/03) Larty74 pg#1 - baby boy Blake at 12:36pm 7lb 14oz
08/03/2011 (due 05/03) NowPanicAndFreakOut pg#1 - baby girl
08/03/2011 (due 09/03) Pushmepullyou BABY BOY 8lb 4oz
09/03/2011 (due 11/03) ckny1 pg#1 - baby boy Franz Zaven
10/03/2011 (due 27/02) StrangewaysHereICome pg#3 (DD 5yrs DD 4yrs - baby boy at 7.45pm
10/03/2011 (due 03/03) cherub59 pg#3 (DS 3 & DD 20months) baby boy Oliver
11/03/2011 (due 10/03) Evianbaby pg#2 (DS1 Oct 08) baby girl 8lb 1oz
13/03/2011 (due 18/03) Purplefan pg#2 (DD 4.5) baby girl at 2am - 5lb 3oz
13/03/2011 (due 03/03) TooImmature2BMum pg#1, Baby girl Thea Joanne born sleeping at 9.42am, 6lb 15.5 oz
14/03/2011 (due 09/03) Sittinghippo pg#2 (DD3) Baby girl Bethany
14/03/2011 (due 13/03) Doubleshotlatte pg#2 (DD 2.5) baby boy 8.2 lbs
15/03/2011 (due 22/03) jammiedodger2 pg#3 (DD9 DS6) baby boy Benjamin Luke 7lb 8oz
15/03/2011 (due 10/03) Coraltoes pg#1 baby girl
15/03/2011 (due 11/03) Sarahscot pg#2 (DS aged 3) BABY GIRL - Millie born at 9pm 8lbs
18/03/2011 (due 18/03) Rockchick1984 pg1 baby boy Alfie at 9:55am, 8lb 6oz
18/03/2011 (due 23/03) Me23 pg#2(DD 5)Baby boy Ethan born at 10pm 6lb 10oz
19/03/2011 (due 13/03) gemma4d Baby Millie born at 2:50, 9lbs!
19/03/2011 (due 10/03) GeekLove pg#2 (DS1 Nov 08) Micheal Charles George born at 23.41 3.8kg (~8lb 6oz)
17/03/2011 (due 12/03) Highlandbird pg#1 baby boy 8lb 7oz
18/03/2011 (due 19/03) angelbabe1982 pg2 (ds 2.9) baby girl Emily Elizabeth
18/03/2011 (due 04/03) Superpenguin pg#1 - baby boy Thomas 8lb 13oz
19/03/2001 (due 09/03) gem3225 pg#1 - baby boy Harris 8lbs 8oz
19/03/2011 (due 07/03) Mixedmama pg#3 (DS1 4.5 and DS2 2.5) London baby boy Emir 8lb 7oz.
20/03/2011 (due 17/03) edeluna pg#1 baby girl Sabine 7lb
21/03/2011 (due 18/03) EvaLongoria pg#2 (DD 3) baby girl Zara 8lb 14 3/4 oz
22/03/2011 (due 21/03) Jupiter118 Pg#2 (DS 3.5) baby girl Emilia 9lb 4oz.
23/03/2011 (due 20/03) 1Catherine1 pg#1 - baby girl Anya born at 1:54am weighing 6lb 12oz
23/03/2011 (due 28/03) Chickiewoo pg#2 (DS 4) baby girl Imogen Cecilia 7lb 9oz
23/03/2011 (due 16/03) Honeymoonmummy (was Campervanfan) pg#2 (DD born Nov 08) baby boy Dylan 8lb 5oz
25/03/2011 (due 22/03) Niamh29, DD1 4, DD2 1.5, baby girl Mya Grace 7lb 3.5oz
26/03/2011 (due 10/03) LovelyKatie pg#1 baby girl Lucy 8lb 2oz
26/03/2011 (due 12/03) Medee baby girl Elizabeth 6lb 14oz
27/03/2011 (due29/03) emma31177 (boy 15yrs girl 2yrs 4 angels) baby boy Tobi Daivd born 11.51am weighing 9lbs 4oz
27/03/2011 (due 20/03) Kagey (DD Sept 08) baby girl Elize at 3.03pm and weighing 9lbs 5oz
29/03/2011 (due 20/03) haloflo baby girl Hannah Kirsten 8lb 9oz
30/03/2011 (due 24/03) mama2plusbump pg#3 (DD2, DD1) baby girl Safiyah born at 2.13 6lb 2oz
30/03/2011 (due 30/03) pettyprudence baby boy Arthur Dafydd at 3.22pm 7 lb 7oz
01/04/2011 (due 23/03) Lozario (DS1 22 mo) baby girl Lara Jean
01/04/2011 (due 27/03) Kpidgeon pg#1 baby boy Elijah 9lb 8oz
03/04/2011 (due 18/03) JeelyPiece pg#3(2MC) baby boy Alistair
03/04/2011 (due 29/03) PipPipPip baby girl Lola 4.4kg
06/04/2011 (due 30/03) JoJoB77 baby girl Ruby 7lb 13oz

ARRIVALS TO BE CONFIRMED:
28/02/2011 (due 01/03) BunderTheBonnet pg#2 (DD3) - baby girl 7lb 1oz
03/03/2011 (due 20/03) nancydrewrocked - baby girl
07/03/2011 (due 07/03) Lauzifer - baby girl
??? (37 weeks) (due 13/03) HeadingHome - baby girl, 5lb 4oz