November 2011 - early birds, just in time and late to the party, all welcome!!

[TwoJackRussellsandapumpkin]

Hi all,

just starting up a post natal thread for all the due in November peeps on the antenatal forum and anyone else who would like to join in too, hoping to see my arrival by the end of the week, so officially an early bird I hope :)

Hello all. Have been a complete lurker since lo arrived. So sorry for all that have had problems with feeding, vomit, reflux, sleeping, attachment etc no one warned us-right?! L so far has been great, thank goodness. I honestly dont know how some of you are staying sane. You have my utmost respect. The only blot on our baby horizon was an early spat in giving up breast feeding which frankly left me exhausted and pretty much unable to function. Dh left at 6 days on exercise and I was recovering from emcs with no help. All too much. Thank god for my infinitely sensible health visitor who made me feel a whole lot less guilty. Anyway, since then she's come on in leaps and bounds; feeding well, sleeping well and just gorgeous. Scarily had to make appts to view nurseries next week. Even though I'm not back at work till June !

Anyway, I wanted to make an offer to whoever pm's me first. I have a practically full tube of lansinoh plus a load of breast pads. I obviously won't use them so if anyone wants them I'll put them in the post. I also have a couple of unworn nursing bras. M and s, one black, one white. Size 36d. Also free to a good home. Just let me know. I'd rather someone used them. Oh, and I also have an avent electric single pump that I'll take offers on.

Much love to you all in this horrid weather. L and I are about to see if we can get into town without blowing away.

Caz we also have a similar baby swing, and I agree its great. We were given it by friends. To be honest I am very tightfisted cautious with money and probably wouldn't have bought one myself, but seeing how he likes it, I would say they are a wonder invention for any baby who likes rocked (that'll be most of them then) andprobably worth the money for anyone who is thinking of buying one.

I had a stressy few days there, not so much with baby but with myself! I developed a sort of growth on my nipple when pregnant which the Dr was pretty sure was hormonal and would go away after the birth. When it didn't, he referred me to the breast clinic for investigations. Anyway, I suffer from terrible post natal anxiety problems (mostly health related) so being referred to hospital was enough to drive me round the bend. But in any case, I had my appt this morning and they assured me that its nothing to worry about, most likely a blocked milk duct, but they want to do a mammogram in a few weeks. That bit frightened me, as I thought 'why are you doing it if there is nothing wrong?' but it turns out to be hospital policy for anyone at all over the age of 35 who is referred to the clinic, which put my mind at rest a bit. But its horrible, its so nerve wracking, sitting in that waiting room.

And to top it all off, DS is over ten weeks now and my bloody CS scar has not healed yet, and is still a bit infected. But I already had two sets of antibiotics and I don't want any more, so I'm just going to have to live with it until it eventually heals. Arrggh!

Cali hope things are going a bit better, and you get a few calmer days, your last few posts sounded a lot more positive.

soppy proud mummy alert
Took DS to see my work colleagues today which was a massive journey (15 min walk to station, 40 min train journey plus waiting around) and he was simply perfect! Cooed, gurgled and smiled at all my colleagues and slept for the journey both ways. I am so proud of him!

The fact that he screamed when we got home is neither here nor there. And he is forgiven for waking up at 4.30am for his feed (I was so sure that we had this sleeping through the night lark nailed!)

treacle sorry to hear that you are going through a rough time. Hospital waiting rooms are never pleasant and I hope that your scar heals soon!

LKtoday Hope your feet stayed glued to the pavement and you didn't blow away!

Treacle Well, you need to be 100% to look after LO! Big positive healing thoughts for you!

Ok guys, I apologise for the below - it's rather depressive and tiring, so feel free to ignore it.
It will probably be the last long one for a while, depending on what happens next.
We had an appointment with the consultant today, and just as we were feeding her to go, she had a relapse to the ol' screamin' feed. Oh well, blip thought I, she'll be fine for her lunch.
We got to the appointment, talked with the consultant and agreed to give it a week, and review the situation again then, given how horrible the past three weeks have been.
He then listened to her heart and turned around - she's got a heart murmur. He said he'd heard it last week, but hadn't been sure, but heard it clearly now, and wanted to refer her for an ultrasound. Not to worry yet though, just panic slowly and we'll get it seen to in time.
He did point out that food refusal, wheezing while eating and other symptoms were indicative of a heart murmur, so yeah... Go figure. Why has noone picked this up before?!
We then went to her second consultant appointment at Manchester Royal, and were told she has the back end of bronchiolitis, laryngomalacia and failure to thrive.
She then displayed her best screaming feed for the consultant, who told me to burp her properly (facepalm). At this point I have a complete break-down and ask them to confirm these things, included the heart murmur - I basically want clear, proven diagnosis of all of these - gastroscopy, barium swallow, anything that is needed to make sure we're not missing anything else. I also asked how the heck I'm supposed to feed her, as she's clearly not gaining weight properly.
They then called my other consultant, who got a bit miffed that I was seeing two teams, but then asked me to chose - I told him I'd stay with him, but I thought we needed to get to the bottom of things, and he's agreed to admit her for further investigations.
We can either go in this weekend via A&E, or next week.
We're considering tomorrow morning, after a good sleep, and some time to cool down.
Abi has been screaming at feeds all day again.
Cali is a tired Cali.

Cali what a mess - the NHS can be brilliant but it can also seriously let you down. I am so sorry to hear that they've suddenly thrown all these diagnoses at you - This new consultant sounds better though so hopefully the next week will bring you some much needed answers - thinking of you, Mr Cali & Abi

Treacle so sorry to hear about health troubles, I'll keep everything crossed for you. Can't believe your scar isn't healed, I know how much mine got me down - have they swabbed to endure right antibiotics? I had to have a 10 day course in the end to sort mine

Morning ladies.
Sorry to hear your scar hasn't healed treacle. Hope it clears up soon.
Cali although the news about Abis heart murmer is probably not what you wanted to hear it does sound as if they are now getting to the cause of Abis problems. Thinking of you.Keep us posted.
All going ok ish here and the smiles from little one definitely help me through the (often) very long nights. I think things are better now we have just accepted that he is struggling a bit with his tummy and basically needs to be "in arms" the whole time. I can't e bothered with the faff of trying to get him to settle anywhere other than our bed it only ever lasts 5 mins anyway and he's much easier to settle and feed when he is laying next to us.
Poppet how's the dairy free going? and have you found any yummy dairy free foods? Are you taking any supplements? I'm not but wondrered if I should.
Hope you all have a good day.

Oh Cali, so sorry that you are still having a hard time, hopefully the consultant will have hit onto something that means you can turn the corner.

Truffle, hope that scar heals soon, I agree that you should investigate further to see if there is something else that might help.

LK welcome back, when does you're DH get back? He will see such a difference in you're DD when he does!

my hospital appointment went well, find out the results on Tuesday, was very strange being back there and not being pregnant, in a funny way rather missed it, although J was really good for most of the time and slept, a few of the midwives got a cuddle too :)

Hope everyone has a good/better day

Cali, here's hoping this is where abi turns the corner and you get to enjoy your time with her.

treacle hope your wound heals soon.

Well, after 5 days of pooing at night and generally runny poos (he's ff so unusual), we've realised he is teething. Red cheeks, gnawing at hands, grouchy after feed, not settling as well. Argh, he's only 2 months! Got jabs on mon, going on own. Just hope he doesn't fidget too much! Always worried nurse will miss and get me!!

Just got a couple of tops in great plains sale and a beautiful tunic top from wrap. Really covers my tummy beautifully. here

Moosey - thanks for tip, I've just bought 2 of the tunics, very nice.

Cali I see a positive that they are moving slowly to understanding Abi better - all down to your strength. Be positive.

Hiya girls!
Hadak welllll I can't really say I'm enjoying the whole dairy free thing, but it's okay. First things first, Montezuma chocolate :) is both dairy and soya free which suits me as I'm avoiding both. It is still dark choc though which is a bit gutting as I'm a dairy milk gal all the way, but they do a nice orange and geranium one and their lime and sea salt one is pretty unusual too! Other than that Sainsbury's seems to have the best free from lines (here again I'm largely talking about cake), but Tesco is the place to buy bread that doesn't have soya in it. I haven't found any milk substitute worth adding to tea so am just taking that black and decaf (such fun). As for meals pasta with tomato sauces, and hunks of meat or fish with spuds and veg are being done a lot in our house (oat milk is okay to use for mash), and fajitas with avocado mixed with mayo (my default fake dairy fat booster) instead of sour cream is okay, but let me know if you have any fine suggestions to vary our menu.
Because Willow is prone to anaemia and also had a recent hospital stay with acute zinc deficiency I am supplementing with 700mg of calcium (I'm using the pregnacare breast feeding range incase Madam is also running low on any other mineral) and my dietician also told me to drink about a pint of fortified rice milk a day too (blee).
Cali Heart murmurs: Willow has one that was only discovered when she was about 6 weeks. Hers is a PDA, patent ductus arteriosis - which is the hole that is supposed to shut upon birth, but which in her case hasn't shut properly causing mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood which is probably one of the reasons it took so long to wean her off supplemental oxygen. She was officially classed as chronic lung because she was on ventilators or CIPAP or low flow oxygen for more than 6 weeks. In her case the late discovery meant it was too late to use drugs to close it (ibuprofen can close them in tiny premmies if used in the first fortnight or so) but it went away before her discharge. Then it opened up again when she was ill in hospital with her zinc deficiency. I think bouts of illness and physiological stress can cause them to do that. In which case it may well have been the bronchiolitis that opened up Abi's - so there may have been nothing to hear afew weeks ago. Alternatively it could just have been missed (which is a hopeful sign that it might be a minor one) as my cousin's wee girl's one was only spotted at her 6 week check. It depends on the scan really to say what the cause is, whether its a PDA or another 'hole' or a simple acoustic effect which may not indicate a hole at all but unusual shaped blood vessels. As for Willow's they don't seem too bothered by it so long as it isn't bothering her breathing or putting on weight (slow though her weight gain is). Its hard to be as blase as they are though, I'm very perturbed by something that causes her breathing to become harder whenever she's ill, I feel your worry, I was terrified when I was told about Willow's - anything to do with the heart is terrifying. If it doesn't close though I've been told it is a very simple op. But I'm hoping we don't have to find that one out.
I don't know what the other thing is, but I can't believe they missed bronchiolitis though, after all the doc's appts you've had. That's really, really rubbish. I hope she's feeling much better, and has ceased the scream feeds again.

Poppet just a quick one - which bread on Tesco is soya free? My son is intolerant & doesn't like brown bread so we struggle to find him any - Waitrose is only sliced option we've found...

In hospital now - paeds making all the right noises atm. Let's hope this is it!

Feeling nervous because we've been here before, but PMA!

Cali really thinking of you and Mr C and Abi. Truly hope you get some answers and solutions.

DS slept 11.30pm till 4am, settled back in about 10mins with a cuddle and then slept till 6.30am! Happy days

Poppet Thanks for the heads up on the choccy. I too am a milk choccy fan so it is tough ut the daury free buttons are not too bad. Bread I am finding more difficult as I am also gluten free at present and most gf reads have egg in them. Going to give it another couple pf weeks on the GF and then see if we get any reaction when introduced,
Cali Fingers crossed for you and Abi that you get some answers today.
Mrs A Yayy to sleep.
Not a brill day or night here yesterday little one full of wind that as quickly as one lot shifted another in it's place hence one very uncomfortable baby. No sleep from 4 yesterday afternoon yntil 2:30 this morning then up again at 4am and 6 am. Still uncomfortable and he is kicking and shouting trying to shift the wind but I am sure it will pass ( desperately hopeful mum emoticon)
Hope you all have a lovely day and a relaxing evening.

poppet have you tried Swedish glade. Love this ice cream and it's non dairy.

Glacé not glade
bloody auto correct!

Thinking of you Cali

Proud mummy moment: my LO has learned to clear his nose by rubbing it from side to side on my top! He's been waving away back and forth for a good 5 mins now, I thought he was rooting but I looked down and I'm covered on bogey. Clever boy

Cali , I know I posted this before......but er, it looks like you are finally getting somewhere? I mean, surely this time they must be getting to the bottom of things! It actually reminds me of a friend whose toddler daughter was getting repeated chest infections;friend and her DH told the doctors for months that they thought there was a problem at the back of her throat causing bits of food and drink to get into her lungs. The Drs dismissed their theory, said it wasn't possible etc. After being hospitalised, again, with pneumonia a whole set of tests were done and it turned out that.....there was a problem allowing food to enter her airways, so their guess was right all along, and their poor daughter had to go through about four hospitalisations for pneumonia before the Drs believed them.

I know the symptoms are different, but your experience just reminded me of it, because you have known all along that something isn't right.....

Just typing and running: Cali hoping things are going well, Alicat its a brownish bread I'm afraid, its the tesco finest farmhouse batch range - the oatmeal one is pretty nice though! Hadak are you having to give up eggs too? That's tough.

Progress-ish.

We have a referral to the Speech and language therapists, mean while we're staying in hospital, I think... No one has imparted the full plan...
If the SaLt people don't figure it out, they'll do a barium swallow.
Because Abi is not losing weight, they're not throwing it all at her.
We'll also have an ultra sound on her heart at some point Poppet - it's strangely reassuring that they're not panicking about it, but I wish they'd get on with it.
She has been feeding marginally better, taking one or two four ounce bottles together with smaller feeds.
The dietician said she couldn't do anything more for us, as the drop in centiles isn't concerning her too much.

Mixed box, but at least our consultant cares enough to really try and help us.

Sounds promising Cali

Had 8week appointment and jabs yesterday. Proud mummy moment - both gp and nurse were amazed by ds, said he looked and had development of 3 month old. I knew he was strong and large but always nice for someone else to comment on it! He got upset by jabds but 2 mins after he was asleep! Good job really as had forgotten his bottle - d'oh. I always seem to forget one thing at the moment when leaving house. Luckily hasn't been kids yet!

Am looking into contraception at mo. Thinking of copper coil as my libido disappears on combined and pop pill. Anyone else looking into this or have had it?

Sounds like a positive step in the right direction cali... Fingers crossed you start getting more answers now.

cali still thinking of you all and hope that you get to the bottom of Abi's problems soon!

Moosey I know the feeling about forgetting something when going out! I have to put post-it notes on the changing bag so I remember to pack feeds! Excellent news about DS jabs and how well he took it.

Hadak how is your LO's wind? My DS suffered really badly with trapped wind and I found that the only thing that seemed to soothe it was gripe water and rubbing his tummy in a clockwise motion. Oh and cycling legs and then bringing his knees up to his chest. He especially liked that when he was nappy-less.

In other news, DS has an eye infection :( Oh, and the ointment is an arse to apply! Let's just say aiming it into the eye of a wriggly baby without touching the eye, or surrounding area is a skill I simply do not possess. Am just hoping he doesn't contaminate the other eye as he has been rubbing his eyes a lot.

Does anyone else feel like their LO has just grown overnight? DS seems so much more sturdy and robust last couple of days and hasn't wanted to be held as much (pre-eye infection that is). In fact sometimes he whinges until he is put down, but seems to love laying on the floor (hates his ring gym thing) looking around!

I was giving DS an early morning bottle, I was propped up in bed on my pillows. He doesn't generally throw up much but.....managed to projectile vomit over me, into my hair, into my eyes, yes, my eyes, over my pillows, over my duvet and across the metal headboard and onto the wallpaper behind. This is some kind of world record, isn't it?