september edd new babies arriving come share the ups and downs here

[ssmile]

Hello. Think i was first to deliver off the September EDD thread so waving to see if anyone else out there yet to join me :)
Had my 2nd DD on 26aug by C-sec. We now home but struggling with BF and baby lost 10% body weight in 3days. Started to top up with formula in syringe to try give cracked. Bleeding nipples a rest, but milk is starting to drip out now leaking everywhere! Hoping for a better night tonight after 3nights of hourly feeds and snatching 2-3hrs of sleep.
Anyone else struggling too?

Ssmile*, I remember panicking about DS's cold hands (he was a Dec baby) but the HV told me that all little babies get cold hands and not to worry if his core temp is OK. MCare and sainsbos sleepsuits have integral scratch mits that kept his hands warm enough I found.

That said, I had an extra blanket last night and DD was in a 0.5 tog bag with a blanket as it's all of a sudden become winter. We're going to have to put the heating on if it stays like this (which is a drastic step this early in the year when you live as far south as we do!)

Having been talked into being all blase about the vomiting by the HV yesterday, DD has been sick on three pairs of my trousers and four tops so far this morning. She has also puked down the freshly painted wall in the spare bedroom

feralgirl thanke for cold hands tips. Yes it was brrr in devon last night, even put DD1 in tights for school as her little legs were cold yest on walk to school. Gosh poor u coping with that amount of vomit, I don't think I'd cope vwell or have enough clothes! hope it gets better soon or u can get some meds from GP to help Lo.

After my post at 4am didn't really get any more sleep! Hohum guess I tempted fate, Lo fell asleep at 6.30am just as I had to get up. That's the really hard bit with having 2nd babe (hats off to those of u who have 3/4kids) your recovery &rest opportunities are so much more ltd.

Hi can I join - edd was 22 Sept but actually had dtd on 30 Aug.

feralgirl dd1 had reflux so lots of sickness and distress (her and me), dtds are now quite sicky but not distressed so I think it's normal posseting as they are also now gaining weight.

dtd2 didn't put on weight last week but this week she's put on 6oz and is finally over the 6lb mark, dtd1 is now 7lb 1oz so we're on the right track.

Doing well but dd1 and dtd2 have colds. dd1 is 3 and coping well, dtd2 is struggling with breathing but is finally asleep.

Hope everyone else is doing okay x

Yep Ssmile, I have finally put on a pair of non-maternity trousers through sheer desperation! They look OK but they're nowhere near as comfy as what I've got used to. I think I might just stay in maternity trousers for ever actually. It's a good thing that I bought myself some new tops from New Look this week though (big online sale btw, with lots of baggy oversized tops that are great for BFing with a vest underneath) as otherwise I'd be in DH's clothes!

Is anyone else wearing specialist nursing tops? Can you recommend any? I bought a couple from here as the designs are lovely and they've also got a sale on but I sent them back because, despite it saying on the website that that their clothes are cut generously for post-pg bodies, even the XXL was tight on me (atm I am size 16 in all the high street shops and this website says that their XXL is size 18 )

The irony of the brand being called 'Mama Feels Good' really did not amuse me as I definitely did not feel good when I looked at my belly straining out of an XXL t-shirt!

Hi PrincessScrumpy, congratulations on your DTs and their weight gain. Hope all your DCs get over their colds soon and that you don't succumb.

I'm still in mat clothes but I had a cs so it's mainly tummy. (plus with twins I was fairly large!) I have just bought a bfing vest top from jojomamanbebe - I plan to wear it under baggy tops I already have. They do other nice tops but I can't justify the money. I have also ordered a poncho feeding top from h&m - it's maternity too so should fit!

Jimmi - a four hour feed? That's pretty epic...!

Feral - I've got one nursing top and one nursing vest, but that's it. Didnt want to go overboard as not sure how long I'll go for, and don't think I'll be BFing in public, so at home, it doesn't matter as I tend to go to my room to do it anyway. Also still in mat trousers and not sure I want to get rid of them either!!!

And SSmile - sorry LO didn't settle after 4am feed. Mine neither - had another poor sleepless night, so absolutely shattered again today. Sounds very much like 100year's night - she wasn't crying, just not settling and not sleeping. Making lots of noises and kicking, whenever we put her down. She'd sleep happily in your arms though! Got a constant headache from the lack of sleep and very weepy today, crying over anything.

Was having a stressed out day but after reading some posts here, feeling better already. PrincessScrumpy - I totally take my hat off to you - anyone with more than one, how do you cope? You seem really calm about things, that I feel silly for stressing now.

HV came this morning. LO is 1oz off birth weight - but she's 3 weeks old today. I was really hoping she'd have put more weight on. So, its started stressing me about whether she's getting enough from my breast feeding. LO often falls asleep on the breast, so the HV suggested expressing and giving her that in a bottle instead. The HV came back later with an electric pump that I am allowed to borrow (which I thought was great). Had a go with it and it only added to my worries as I only managed 30ml. Had to top up with some formula for a decent feed. Really wondering whether to keep going with the BFing - I really want to for all the right reasons but only if LO steadily puts weight on. Am finding BFing tricky and never sure if she's having enough each time. Am going to have a good chat with DP this weekend, hopefully after some sleep so I can be more rationale, and see. HV is back on Monday and can review weight again then.

Also, LO seems to have started the projective vomiting too which doesn't help! But not as bad as Feral though - that sounds awful. Interesting that your HV was blase about it, whereas mine suggested the GP early next week if it carries on to get something for it... ??

I'll stop whinging now. When I look back it's hardly anything, so why am I feeling all stressed today?

I bought one BF top from mothecare but like u I ended up with size 20 to fit over huge boobs and saggy tum. I'm at 6wk mark now and been doing 10mins simple pelvic floor Pilates exercises twice a day and its helping to pull in my tum. At 5wks my 'pre preg big' jeans went on but only did up tight, now a week later I can wear them for several hrs comfortabley :) but not lost any weight just tightened up middle a bit mainly to support my weak back. I also bought couple new size 20 normal t-shirts work just as well feeding I think just got more confident just lifting top up in public and babe feeding easier now so can be quite discrete. Mostly I living in leggings and long tops to cover bum&tum :o

Welcome princessesscrumpysounds like ur twins are both really good weights and u doing well. Must be really hard with 3yr old too. My DD1 is 4.5yrs and has been real handful at times I struggle at 6-7pm bath time mostly need 2extra pairs of hands as I tired, babe tired and DD1 tired not great combi!

sebs cross post. Big hug to u. We've all had days like yours and even I, who BF my DD1 for 9mths really wobbled this wk (5wks) as was SO tired, and feeding so erratic. Take it one day at a time, top up with bottle formula if needed get your DP to do it so u can go get some rest. I regulary in wks 2-4 did this in eve so I could sleep 8-10pm. My DH took babe and had 40mls form on standby in bottle. I've not done this last 2wks as not needed to. my Lo took 3wks to regain weight its quite normal take your cue from HV if they worried about babe weight.

Thanks ssmile that's good advice. Just had chat with DP (home early from work on a Friday) and said pretty much the same. Keep going with the BFing and top up with expressed or formula when needed. Think as she feeds for a while I find it restrictive - such as when DSD and DSS come home from school. If I'm in the middle of BFing, I don't like them coming home to what can seem an empty house. But, we'll get there, and as you say, one day at a time. If the BFing doesn't seem to be working at any one feed, instead of keeping it going and both of us getting frustrated, I'll either express and give her that, or resort to formula, rather than letting it go on for too long without results.

I really want to keep going, as HV reckons after about 6 weeks, it gets much easier - which is what you also seem to be saying. So, just need to get through these more tricky weeks. Of course, they come at a time when you're at your tiredest too... !

I think you're right though - you seem to get good days and then days when you worry about everything, and think you're letting your Lo down (well at least I do). I also seem to take things out of DP when I'm really tired - probably coz I need to vent, and bless him, he's the one I seem to target. He's sooo patient though, and we always end up hugging ... am very lucky there.

God, just listening to the rain - it's awful out there. DSD has gone on a school trip this weekend - poor thing. If only they were going last weekend! Lots of outdoor activities planned - she's going to get wet this weekend!

Right, LO stirring - cue feeding time!

Good luck sebs some people find BF easy, my sister did where I really struggled with my first DD found first 5wks awful at times and I get annoyed that BF is sometimes made out to be SO easy for everyone. I went to a BF workshop before I had this Lo and again they kept selling all the positives I just wish sometimes they would say actually it can be bloody hard work at times but by 6wks most people fine it a lot easier and if u can make it that far your prob carry on ok. I Rember my DH coming hone when my DD1 was 5 wks old I was lying on the bed feeding her and he said "you look like your enjoying that" as I'd spent the previous 5wks feeling like my life was over and I was only a Bloomin milk machine and moaning everyday. He was right and I never looked back after that and enjoyed feeding babe after our vrocky start.

Has anyone used breast shells? They collect milk from the side you not feeding from if it leaks. Mine do lots i thought it might help &i can use the milk in bottle but I've not tried them before.

Sebs - I'm bfing twins and nearly gave up 2 weeks ago due to thrush in my breast being soooo painful. I have a Madela pump and to start with I was only getting 10mls but it increases - choose a time of day to do it and stick to it (ish) as it's all supply and demand. I get much more in the mornings and now get 150mls each time - still not enough for two babies on 90mls each though so we top up with formula. We are doing two bottles through the night as the girls are on 3 hourly feeds and wouldn't latch properly so I was getting stressed. Works brilliantly as I know they've had enough so can settle them confidently.

The girls sleep far better at night than dd1 did at their age so although it's tiring it's not too horrific. They also get left crying (which I hate doing) as I can't get on with tandem feeding unless dh is there to pass me a baby - so I do it if they're both screaming at the last feed of the day. I have to block the screaming one out otherwise as I've found that if I don't feed one until she's full I'll end up with both screaming and my bp rising.

dd1 is not being naughty but is rather attention seeking saying "look at me mummy" all the time and talking constantly. She was at preschool until 4pm today but by 6pm my head was pounding! Love her lots but really hope she calms a bit soon.

re bf tops - my best purchase was a bebe au lait bfing cover from Mothercare online - not cheap but means I can wear most things without revealing anything. With twins it feels like my boobs are permenantly out so I needed something.

LO is now 4 weeks old, was weighed yesterday and was 8lb5, which is great given she was 6lb9 at birth, so she is obviously feeding really well and growing like she should, is still around the same percentile as she was at birth, so :) here.

I lost loads of weight in the beginning of pregnancy with sickness - never diagnosed as hyperemesis as I wasn't admitted to hospital, but I lost 2 stone by 16 weeks and only ever put 13 lbs of that back on, so when I had her and lost the bit of water retention from pregnancy I am even lighter than I was after 16 weeks, in fact I'm now 2stone 12 less than when I got pregnant! Yes I was rather overweight to start, I'm suffering with my pre pregnancy clothes being too big and the maternity skirt I had kept falling down when I wore it. Having to tuck my trousers waist band under my bra strap so they don't fall down! I must go shopping!

Had another wakeful night last night, and LO stayed awake for 90 mins. I'm not convinced about the infacol, we've had loads more puke since she started on it, and I gave her a feed at about 9pm, which loads of it came up afterwards including the infacol as I could smell it. I think I'm going to start the gripe water on Sunday and just leave the infacol for tonight. Maybe just give it in the day. Felt a bit wrong today with tiredness and haven't even got dressed today! I have had 2 short naps on the settee while she was sleeping, and feel better for that, but still want more!

We've had lovely happy noises and half smiles from her now, which is ace, I'm still waiting for a definite yes that's a smile, but we are heading there.

For those of you who say things change at 6 weeks, what changes? Do they feed less, or are they more settled?

Princess Scrumpy, hi and welcome to the thread. Twins with another daughter too, must be so hard to get the balance right, but sounds like you are doing fine there.

ssmile, I have the breast shells, but only use them at night, as yet I've not collected the milk from them, but they have stopped my tops being wrecked from night leakage. I think they have to be sterilised before using them to collect and I can't be bothered with the faff of getting up in the night to put the milk in a bottle in the fridge, have plenty of milk without what is collected in the shells.

Just having a catch up as I haven't been on for a while - you all seem to be doing very well . Saw hv today and lo has gained 11oz this week so is now 7lb 10oz at 3 weeks 2 days. Was 6lb 15oz at birth but lost a bit for a while. so really pleased as he has been totally bf so far even although it's been very tough. Nipples starting to heal and hurt less and I am not having to use nipple shields now. Lo is very windy now and on infacol - hv says that it takes 5 days to work properly and has to be used regularly but at least 4-6 times a day to work. Lo piled all over dd1 yesterday but seemingly that's not related to the colic. Still monitoring to see whether thus lo has reflux like other dcs did - jury still out !
Was so cold last night as up on third floor I'm loft conversion and no heating on (dh says not necessary as middle of night - then again he is not up here feeding all through the night and changing lo). Put lo in vest and cotton babygro which has integrated scratch mittens to keep hands warm. Could only find a 2.5 tog sleeping bag so lo in that and slept a lot better - he didn't seem over heated so not worried.
Went to hairdressers today and lo slept all the time and feel so much more human.
Have now been awake for 2 hours so best get back to sleep or will be shattered tomorrow. Hope the sleep fairies are visiting you all tonight and being generous.

Hi all. Well started the gripe water today, infacol not touching it! Ds just seems to be quite uncomfortable with it and I'm sure it's at least partly why his sleeping is so crap. I've had just over three hours between 12:30 and 3:45 and the under half an hour from 3;34 till 4:15

Just had a quick skim read. Hi princessscrumpy. Glad you're back with us.
Not actually sure when I last posted but DD weighed in at 4.59kg on monday at 4weeks 5days. She has really short fat legs (like mine) and huge belly and cheeks! This week has been a feeding nightmare. DD has decided that feeding 1-2 oz for a couple of feeds and then being awake for 3hrs and feeding throughout is fun. This has thrown me out of sync especially in terms if school run. Mum has been round every afternoon to look after DD whilst I collect DS as feed time had run into the hour afternoon school run!
Half term coming up and we finally got DD passport after having to wait 3weeks for birth cert appt. Now to book something. Only thing is wtf do I do about expressing? DD still thinks it's more convenient for her to have bottle and that nipples are for playing with! I can't keep disappearing every 3-4hours to sit in hotel room with pumper which sounds like a sex toy if your in the adjacent room!
I can't not pump or i'll lose supply or get engorgement. Fussy kids!!

To those who are stressing about BF I too would have liked to exclusively BF. However you can't do anything about how LO feels. After crying over feeling a failure at bf I am now able to express 4+ oz each session. I get 6 in per day and give 2 ff at night. I miss an express during the night as I find I get more milk after a better sleep and each session takes me max 30 mins which flies by whilst on the net. I have an ameda lactaline double electric pump as just just hook your boobs up and set it off.
Wrt those who can bf a sling is brilliant for hiding babe and boob. I have a babasling which is a hammock style which I guess is all that you need. I read somewhere that breastfeeding tops aren't necessary. Get a strappy vest, lots in primark for a few quid, wear a looser matching top/tshirt. Lift up tshirt pull down vest so straps still on shoulder but neckline under whoopers put baby on and use muslin to cover up over LO head if you feel the need.
Oh I waffle on! My dilemma now. Do I return to bed or go tesco?
Last thing I used breast shells when I was hand pumping. Brilliant but must remember not to bend over as milk will pour from ventilation holes at the top. Also must align correctly to create the vacuum which draws out the milk and get tissue ready when you peel off as you will drip or spill guaranteed.

Oh forgot re breast shells, I found they actually made me leak more, don't know if it was the small amount of pressure?

Thanks for information on shells think I will just stick to pushing hard on opp boob to stop flow sure it will adjust in couple weeks. We had more settled night as tried different approach when we got to 2am I gave up trying to settle her back in basket which I think she out grown now, and we coslept she had bit of boob mostly hrly but fell asleep straight after next to me and I didn't wind or change her nappy and she had no awake time in the night and we both got more sleep :) I'm only worried I'm making a rod for my back feeding on demand like this through the night but I figure at the moment I need to do what maximizes my sleep& min stress. My DH said he happy getting full night sleep on sofabed at mo. Going to more crib next to bed to see if she will settle more in night in that instead of basket.

I think by 6wks it gets bit easier as baby bioryhthms bit more settled and they start to distinguish day from night more! Our DD1 certainly cried a lot less in the eves and this babe much more settled in general.

You got to do what you've got to do though ssmile, getting sleep and being rested makes a world of difference. I find that nights where DD sleeps I feel less stressed and harried the next day.

Three and a half weeks in and we're starting to get a bit more settled. DS had a little bit of a regression and wanted his dummy a lot during the day and to be carried rather than walking but he's coming out of it now. DD has had no A&E visits this week but she did have her hip scan due to being breech and because I had a clicky hip when I was born, we'll be on first name terms with the staff at this rate. Her hip scan wasn't great, her hip sockets are slightly more shallow than they should be and her left hip, while not dislocated, isn't sitting as deeply in the socket as it should be. Supposedly it can correct itself when they're this young as their bones are still fairly pliable so we're back in two weeks for another scan but if it hasn't improved she'll have to go into a harness for a while. I think she has thrush too, her tongue was mildly white which has gone away but she's very gassy and her bottom is sore but nothing is clearing it up plus I have a horrible itchy, burning feeling when she's feeding. I got some thrush cream from the doctors to put in her mouth to see if it helps.

I'm sticking two fingers up at all the local matron types and female relatives who told me "girls are easy".

Dd wet herdelf 2day :-( & infront of guests, then ds1 pood himself (i think a funny tummy), then dd was sick a few times (now asleep) & i feel not quite right so praying i dont have wotever it is. & praying strongly that lo doesnt get it!! :-( in dd's words "i dont like being sick"
Guests all gone now, eith no-one else havinv told us they'll b down soon. Apart from 1 friend who'll b v. Welcome. Her daughters heart op has been postponed 3 times, if she doesnt get it this week they'll all go away 4 a weekend 2 get away. Would love it if they came here so i can b there properly 4 my friend. Fingers crossed op will happen tho x

6weeks- things just seem 2 click & seem easier, tho im afraid i dont remember y. Bugger,.starting 2 feel ill now ;-(

Oh jimmijam, what an awful day for you - really hope you and all your family get better very quickly. My ds1 was spectacularly sick last week in the car right next to lo but it was only the once and he was on the mend - hope it's past that quickly for you guys and that your lo avoids it. Sending you a virtual get well hug x

jimmijam oh dear there is nothing worse than the kids getting sick then you waiting to see it it gets you. Hope you got some rest last night. There been few mums here who had tum bug I guess it doing the rounds so my fingers n toes firmly crossed!

We had ok night, put Lo in crib instead of basket as out grown it now, seems sad but gd. Friend of mine going to have it. Put crib next to myside as I wasn't ready to put her at the bottom yet. Feeding mostly lying down in bed at night. But had horrid weird dream last night my sleep deprived brain started hallucinating I think, kept me awake from 5am :(

ssmile iv also had strange dreams that have then kept me awake they felt so real. A few days ago it was that id lost my wedding ring @ crealy (never even been there) & was awake panicking yhat i had 2 phone them despite it getting lost a few weeks b4. Another that i was made 2 bf infront of a coridoor of hundreds of ppl & in a science class with a photographer in. Dh has had fun laughing about them wen iv explained them in more detail than here :-)
Think it must b the tiredness making them feel so real
dd just had cereal hopefuly she'll keep it down. Ds1 was fine overnight. I atill dont feel right but fingers crossed its just the thought of it.. Trying 2 keep kids away from lo in hope it'll reduce the risk of him catching anything

Jimmijam that awful

I think I might move ds into his crib too, he just won't sleep in it so no point carrying it up and down the stairs. He might as well not sleep in his crib . I am really starting to hot a wall now with lack of sleep. 4.5 weeks of powering through with a 3.5th old dd and not being able to catch up at any time is starting to get to me.

Dd sick twice in car so shes now in bed surrounded by towels & bowls!

love we have 5.5 dd & ds1 will b 4 in 2 weeks. Wen ds1 was tiny i tried 2 sleep wen dd had her afternoon nap. Dont catch up on naps this time but could do wen ds1 @ nursery. Does ur 3.5yr old get 15hours free nursery? They should get it the term after their 3rd bday. Perhaps u could use that time 2 catch on sleep? O