April 2011-kicking back drinking lactulose cocktails and riding the maternity surfboards

[Petalouda]

Post-natal thread for all the antenatal April 2011 Family!

Share the birth stories, the baby blues and everything else.

[JoEW]

Hi all,

I found swaddling at night works well. I've been doing it with a soft cotton sheet and then putting a blanket over the top if it's chilly. Swaddling seems to keep them quite warm. At first I was pinning Conor's arms in, now he has them out but I still swaddle him under the arms, as he seems to like it.

Clothing in the sling is really tricky. In fact clothing outdoors at all is still causing me great concern, with you on that Petal. I had Conor in a hat when it was boiling last week. Everytime I go out I am checking every 10 yards whether he is too hot or too cold! With the sling, if it's mild in the day then I just go for vest and sleepsuit as your body heat does seem to keep them quite warm. One evening I went for a walk and there was a cool breeze and I felt this wasn't enough and worried Conor was too cold. If it's chilly I would suggest adding a hat, as that will keep them much warmer and also maybe having a cardigan or jacket that you can wear over the sling, so it's like a blanket. Mind you I haven't a clue what I'm doing so take all this advice as you will!

Notanother, I hope you are feeling better. With Conor if I overfeed him he vomits. I'm bottle feeding so obviously it's different to breast as he's not regulating the amount but I've found (sadly for my chance of sleep) that feeding little and often helps keep everything down. Maybe worth a try?

I made it out, with Conor, to Topshop and the bank today. Am very impress with myself. Topshop was a mare as lots of steps, which were impossible with the buggy so I came back and ordered what I wanted online. Still, it was a solo outing.

[JoEW]

x posts with you Petal. IT IS IMPRESSIVE. It's so hilarious how daunting going out it.

[Liv77]

Nann Sorry to hear you're having problems with reflux again. My DS also suffered really badly and we ended up mix feeding and having to give gaviscon. So far DD has been fine and not sicky at all I just hope she's managing to put on weight as like DS she has tongue tie so isn't great at latching on so my nipples are taking a right battering.

Thanks for the breast pump recommendations. I have been umming and aahing about the cost of an electric but have just ordered a medela mini electric from amazon. Not as pricey as the swing and the reviews seem decent. I hope it arrives before the HV does next week so I can avoid the top up with FF lecture.

DH's last day of paternity leave today and he's taken DS up to see his parents this afternoon. DD and I have spent the time feeding and napping. Sometimes in her cot but more often on me. They grow so quickly so I'm making the most of my newborn cuddles. I just can't believe how big my 3year old looks now i've got another baby.

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

Liv - I second that, DS1 seems huuuge now!

I cannot face a solo outing with both boys yet. I'm healing really well from the section, but I'm not confident that I'm strong enough to run after DS1 while pushing the pram if he makes a bolt for it!!

I am in clusterfeeding hell this afternoon, and DS1 has watched hours of TV. DH will be here in 30 minutes - and counting!

[Cyclebump]

We're enjoying the world of vomit here too. H started doing it yesterday and now he's spitting up/throwing up everything after every feed. I've changed all his clothes three times today.

He's now having a daddy cuddle as mummy is ratty. DP had someone in to hook up our oven (at last) and I've been waiting in for the health visitor all day so I've not rested and am rather exhausted and cross. DP is similarly knackered. Fun fun fun.

We were thinking of going for a walk tomorrow (DP hasn't been out with us yet) but maybe we'll just rest up. Not sure if I'm ready to fly solo Petal so your outing seems impressive to me!

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Thanks for the lovely mrssages of support everyone. DD2 settled down aftet she'd done a massive farty poo over DH and he was forced to admit his diagnosis of reflux may be a bit premature

Liv and Stuffed Please will you add a message here to add your support to a mumsnet reflux event? It's such a horrible and common condition but IMHE it's never covered in antenatal classes and Dr's can be quite clueless.

Jo I think you might be right about the vomiting being due to overfeeding. I have started to pump and freeze so DD2 can't gorge herself quite so much!

Meant to say, about the 'swaddle me' things, they are v convenient and DD2 likes them but I can't help thinking it looks like I've put my baby in a tiny straight jacket

[Sassy20]

Hi everyone, so pleased to be on the postnatal thread after what seems like a long wait. New Mum so lots of questions!
Is it normal for newborns to sleep a lot of the night for first few days?
Is anyone else suffering from piles after the birth and if so what works to clear them?
Is it normal for your feet to swell?
That's it for moment but I'm sure I'll think of more! X

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

Hiya Sassy, congrats on your DD and welcome to the other side!

All newborns really want to do is sleep and eat. Don't listen to any mad old bats who tell you not to let het sleep whenever she wants for the dake of an imposed routine like I did last time. If they get over tired they can become even harder to settle and end up being awake for much longer and v grumpy. However, I would say wake her after 4hrs to feed to make sure she doesn't get dehydrated.

I have piles from pushing too I`ve been using Anusol+HC cream, soaking in the bath with a few drops of lavender oil and taking lots of pain killers Also, swigging lactulose and eating dried apricots to keep poos regular but soft.

Speak to your MW re swollen feet. I think it's probably normal but one of those things they have to check.

[chillikat]

Sassy my feet stayed swollen for about 10 days after the birth, they had been swollen in the last couple of months of pregancy too. Happily I can now wear more than one pair of shoes or slippers :)
Enjoy your newborn sleeping at night - I was warned it wouldn't last and it's true - I now seem to have a nocturnal baby :( I really should feel more tired than I do.
The midwife was telling me yesterday that all the issues were actually good and normal - excessive night feeding will increase milk supply and spitting a bit back up after feeds shows she's getting a bit more than enough and I guess putting on half a pound in a week shows it must be working. I do wish the 4 hours straight sleep was over night rather than from 7am though.

[Sassy20]

Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to get some lavender oil as well as a friend mentioned it recently as having great healing properties for stitches as well. I'll enjoy my sleeping baby as sounds like it'll soon change!

[Petalouda]

We're in team Projectile Vom today. 3 outfit changes for F & mummy.

Cunningly avoided grandma tho!

[Sassy20]

Another question-where can I buy lavender oil, is it somewhere like holland and barret?

[Liv77]

Ali I havn't worked up the courage to venture out alone with the 2 DC yet. DS is also watching far to much TV, I can now recite certain Peppa Pig episodes from memory. We had his 3rd birthday party at the softplay today and DD very kindly had a feed when we got there and then slept for 2 hours solid whilst being cuddled by her nans and several broody mums.

Nann I will go and post on the reflux thread, I agree that you don't hear about it at the AN stage and if it happens to your DC, it would be nice to be better prepared for the exorcist like vomiting abilities of a refluxy baby. TBH it's only now that i have a non refluxy baby that I realise quite how bad it was with DS as I had nothing to compare it to.

And now for my moment of the week. Apologies in advance if TMI. I was in waitrose toilet cubicle with DS, I go for a wee and am wearing my maternity surfboard. He sees the dark red/brown stain and pipes up in a loud clear voice mummy you've done brown poo poo in your pants I reply that I havn't and he says again laughing mummy's got poo poo in pants I decided on the no eye contact with anyone approach when washing our hands afterwards, not helped by DS continuing with his mummy done poo poo line of conversation.

[chillikat]

Petalouda - I hope Felix had the same plan as Megan last night - she's reverted back to 3 hourly feeds, which meant much more sleep for me :) though DH still didn't sleep brilliantly - I think he expected and therefore had a bad night and was also having baby hallucinations - so he's now having a lie-in.

Hopefully I might make my first solo trip out this week if the sleep continues to be good, and my scar isn't too sore. Well done to everyone who's already managed it.

[Petalouda]

Sadly not Chilli, Felix was up from 8pm-1.30am constantly feeding & crying. But then eventually slept till 5 (at which time a drunken girl from the house opposite was hollering for her brothers to let her in, eventually, after about an hour, I went and looked out the window to see her climbing the 6ft fence into their garden!), and then some more till 8.

Good luck with your trip out!

[Cyclebump]

Ended up doing more public feeding this weekend. H and went to watch daddy play rugby yesterday. We arrived early as DP and his brother were playing. DP's brother left me the car keys and he had a good solid feed and change in the car before the game. He then slept for the game and the after game drink walking as we left to be fed at home. Perfect!

Today though I went to the shops and only got two minutes out the door before the screaming began. I had to feed him alone in the very busy park. I was nervous but he latched and we were away, phew!

We're on a three-hour schedule too Chilli, it's actually ok but I tend to crash out at about 8pm at night

Sassy, lots of places do essential oils. Big branches of Boots, Holland and Barrett, even some local pharmacies. I highly recommend tea tree oil in a hot bath for stitches, the relief was amazing!

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Hi ladies, just popping in to see if there are any new birth stories and see how you are all doing.

Chillikat - this is a good diagram of how to swaddle

I'm 38+2, so still ages before I officially graduate to this thread

[BeetleBaby]

Hi all,
I can't believe some of you are venturing out without back up! It still seems a long way off for me, I'm petrified that DH will be going back to work this coming week, which means it will be just me and Sam on our own!

I'm also very at those of you BF in public, you're so brave! We're still struggling to latch at all thanks to my still perma-leaking boobs. Which have also developed the most impressive (in the bad way) stretch marks, and here was me thinking I'd been lucky and avoided them.

Why do all the books make it sound like the 'baby blues' last one day and then it's all over?! I've spent the last week bursting into tears, yesterday it was so bad DH got my Mum to come back for the night as I spent the whole afternoon in full on sobbing tears. Thankfully Mum was able to come back down which meant that while one person was hugging Sam the other could hug me! So far today has gone much better, only one bout of tears when my Mum headed off back up North. Damn hormones!

Sassy I've been getting essential oils from Holland and Barrett, I've found Lavender oil (2-3 drops) in a sports cap bottle has been great to give my stitches a quick wash after going to the loo (also makes the bathroom smell nice! )

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

Ah Beetle, bless you. I wept like a baby when my Mum left, and then again when she went home on Tuesday having been up here just for a couple of days. I'm over the worst of my weepiness now, it doesn't last forever :)

[Petalouda]

Oh Beetle, you're doing such a good job though! You'll feel better about things soon, I'm sure. Glad you're being looked after.

Well done Cycle! I think I'd have headed straight home in that situation, so very well done!

Friends came down to meet the wee man today and we managed to time it brilliantly. Fed & asleep before they arrived, so they could have lovely sleepy cuddles. Then changed and fed again, so he slept for a good 3 hours while we had a pub lunch (watching birds courting in the beer garden!) and a walk around the lanes (saying hello to the baby calves & empathising massively with the mother cows!). He just started stirring as we walked back up the hill from the cows, so we got home in time for a change & feed. A proper lush afternoon!

However, whilst feeding him on the left (good old lefty), my mental right boob did a massive milk explosion all over me! Then we had a bit of sick on the carpet (fortunately no projectile so far today), and screaming windy tears from F. So my poor friends left with a no-doubt harrowing vision of parenthood, with screaming babies and uncontrollable bodily fluids!

Hope I haven't put them off too much!

[Petalouda]

F is now putting an inhuman amount of effort into trying to find his thumb to suck. Not quite got it yes, but if he's as stubborn as his mother, he will...!

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

Petal - T keeps trying to find his thumb but no joy so far. I'm kind of hoping he will succeed, and then maybe he'll give my poor boobs a rest! Today has been another cluster-feeding frenzy, I must have fed him about 15 times since 7.30 this morning - I am exhausted!!
He is currently zonked out on DH's shoulder having had a lovely bath with his big brother :)

I managed my first proper walk today, up a fairly decent hill to the park, and I was pushing the pram :) Felt really nice to be moving at a normal speed instead of waddling about like an ancient duck, and no scar pain at all :):)

Weirdly, my boobs seem to have learned not to leak too badly. I remember them being awful with DS1, the right boob was particularly bad, but things are much better this time. I can even sleep without a bra already which is great from a thrush-prevention point of view.
My top tip is to wear patterned rather than plain tops - especially if you are going somewhere where you want to look decent for the whole day. Any leaks which do occur show up much less!

[Petalouda]

Exhausting day, Ali, I'm impressed that you managed to get out at all with that feeding schedule.

I remember at ante-natal they said that babies stomachs are only the size of a marble, so they need feeding every few hours. Which is good logic. But when he's feeding constantly for hours, where is he putting it?! (Well, when he's not regurgitating all over me). And how, after a 3 hour feed, can he possibly want more after half an hour?

He's properly nocturnal. I'm giving up daytimes from tomorrow. I'm just going to sleep all day!

[JenAT]

Hello Mummies! finally I have graduated to the postnatal board. I have posted birth story on Antenatal. Looking forward to joining in the chat about boobs, bottoms, baby sick, poo, and all the other delights of being a new Mummy.

George is now sleeping peacefully in his moses basket but was up all night from 1am till 6:30 when dd who has mercifully slept through his crying bounded into the bedroom announcing "It's morning time Mummy!" Please remind/reassure me that is normal for new borns to only want to suck on boob for hours and hours at night and will not settle any other way. My boobs have taken a right hammering. I'm sure a lot of the sucking was just for comfort but by god its hard work at 4 in the morning! I think he probably also had wind.

Yesterday we had visitors pretty much all day, but today we are having a very quiet day as I am totally knackered and am not up to making people cups of tea and serving cake having done my fair share yesterday.
DH's brother and his kids visited and stayed for 2 and a half hours. Kids were tearing round house and getting all the toys out (they are 7 yr old twin girls and 3yr old boy)Dd absolutely loves them though and loves playing with her older cousins.

MIL and FIL also there and MIL announced "I can't believe you had a baby just 24hrs ago. You must be tired" whilst drinking tea that I had made. Well, er yes I am tired, and you have been here for >2hrs. I very nearly asked them to leave, then fell asleep on the sofa in front of them, which I think gave them the message!

Is anyone else suffering with pain/soreness from stitches? I had an episiotomy and a tear. Any good advice to speed up healing? I have some lavendar and tea tree which I am putting a few drops in the bath. Its sooo uncomfortable and sore to sit down and even the thought of my first postnatal poo is making me scared!

Anyway, looking forward to having a proper read through all your previous posts on this board. Duty calls, George woken and my boobs are wanted!

[Petalouda]

Well done Jen, glad to hear you're taking it easy after a mega day yesterday!

With stitches, I found that keeping up with the diclofenac & paracetamol was enough to keep me comfortable (& pelvic floor exercises as soon as possible), and as long as you're on the lactulose the poo's not too bad either! (although wet wipes are very helpful & soothing for that too!).

Although I didn't do too much sitting - more like fully reclining on the sofa! Actually, the most uncomfortable part was sitting up in bed & shifting around to lift F out of his crib.

Also in Team Snooze today!