Due Feb '06 but they couldn't wait that long!!

[TicTac]

Come on Feb '06 girls....

Teuch - I hope you find me here. Really short stats list but here you go

TicTac - due 3rd Feb '06, Peyia was born 23rd Jan '06

Tabs - Had hoped that our growth spurt was over but ds fed for over 3 hours as well last night but has been asleep for most of the morning catching up.

Stimulation required for the rest of the day to try and get some rest tonight but quite hard when I look and feel like a zombie and probably need a little stimulation myself

Hope you all had better nights.

Afternoon
Have just been out for a wander round the village with my babies - most of the pavements are just about wide enough for the double buggy - alhough if I have dd1 as well - she will have to walk behind / in front of pram - so not ideal!
Emily has just woken up so I will try and pop back later!

JuA - you are bringing back memories of my double buggy days!I was always tempted to teach the kids to "accidently" scratch the cars parked on the footpaths near us, that forced me to go round them in the road.(I didn't )

Hope everyone is managing well. I'm still looking forward to having mine, and being able to join you for real.

Hi Everyone, sorry I have not posted for a few days!

3K (and anyone else with dry skin on babies) I am using a natural product called Burts Bees Apriocot oil for babies (smells nicer then the olive) and it is working a treat. I give Peyia a baby massage with it after her bath every night. It's a little expensive (£10.50 from John Lewis) but it's lovely stuff.

Tabs - Breastfeeding is going Ok, more infor in general post below. Glad to hear you are out and about though!

Jua - Well done to you for tackling Chorley with a double buggy! Try and get that round booths...I found it hard with a single pushchair! We shall have to meet up again really soon and meet the babies. Let me know when you are up for it!

General update from me....well DD is still not putting on any weight and is still 6 ounces under birth weight. I am not at all bothered though and the MW and HV have both been supportive. I have however struggled with the relentless feeding regime...basically I was feeding for over an hour, taking an hour to settle DD and then would get an hours sleep before we started again. So when she had not grown I felt that it was a worthless routine that was not doing me or DD any good. I mean I was so tired I would sit and cry at 11 pm because I couldn't settle DD and of course not able to sleep myself.

SO... I introduced a bottle feed top-up. I BF as usually but when she has done 40 mins to an hour and starts to "fuss" or she wakes 30 mins after a feed I then use the bottle. I have only done this for a couple of days but it is working like a treat! She is settling of a night time and I am getting 2 slots of 3 hours sleep on the whole which feels great. She only has about 1.5 ounces of a bottle but hey...it seems to work.
Since I have got more rest and feel good, I have also been able to express a couple of ounces a day too! which is great since I am BF as much as I ever did just in more sensible chunks.

So all in all....it's going well. We don't get weighed again until Monday so I will let you know if it has worked on the growth front.

as for other news...well she found her thumb the back end of last week and loves to suck it! She rolls onto her side and holds her head up.....she is a very advanced little one, my NCT friends couldn't believe it when they witnessed this for themselves today.
And I can not believe she is a month old on Monday...

I hope everyone else is managing to get some sleep but enjoying your babies too!!

Tictac - glad you seem to be getting on top of things - it's lovely to hear how you're getting on.
I'm ready for this baby to come now, but still getting my head round how things will be when she gets here!
I had to put it all out of my mind while we got the house sorted out, and now it feels so strange.
I'm sure it will be incredible

Morning, it's my due date today, and no sign of a baby here.

Loving reading how everyone is doing - all sounds pretty positive from here.

Everyone who's trying breastfeeding gets a big round of applause from me. I'm really pro, but still think that it's more important that you' are happy. A miserable b feeder is no good to anyone. Tic tac - sounds like you've made the right decision - you'll probably be able to feed for longer now that you've got a bit of help.

Give all your babies lots of cuddles, and I'll try and join you soon.

Morning, it's my due date today, and no sign of a baby here.

Loving reading how everyone is doing - all sounds pretty positive from here.

Everyone who's trying breastfeeding gets a big round of applause from me. I'm really pro, but still think that it's more important that you' are happy. A miserable b feeder is no good to anyone. Tic tac - sounds like you've made the right decision - you'll probably be able to feed for longer now that you've got a bit of help.

Give all your babies lots of cuddles, and I'll try and join you soon.

We all seem to be looking in here longingly today!!!

I am like Jas I think - My biggest belief is that a happy mum is what you need for a happy healthy baby, moreso than what its fed, what clothes it wears, or who cares for it. A baby who spends all day snuggled up to a miserable breastfeeding mum is less likely to thrive than one with formula and a happy mum. (My friend would beat me for saying that... very anti formula ).

Hi everyone, i've managed to get a few mins to post, Lewis is sat here with me and dh is asleep in front of football.

I can't believe Lewis is 9 days old it's going so fast.

I bf him for 2 days but we weren't happy he screamed the hospital down for 2 nights and just wouldn't settle, he just seemed to be using me as a dummy and falling asleep and his screaming was getting me down too so i changed to bottle he was a different baby.

He's now taking about 3oz every 3 hours. the nights are getting better, i fed him at 9pm last night he went to sleep about 11pm (he's a slow feeder then takes a while to settle) and didn't wake up til 4.30am then fed again and slept til about 9.30am

I'm finding it easier now c-sec pain easing it was so hard to do anything at first. I've also been stuck in house since we left hospital cos i was showing possible signs of infection the day after c-sec so've been on antibiotics since and mw said i'd be better staying in (so bored) but i finish them tomorrow so i'm off to my mums for sunday dinner.

glad everyone else is doing ok and i'll try drop in soon. xx

hi everyone - 1 handed again so excuse mistakes.

had a go at expressing this morning to try out pump (had to exchange it last night as it didn't work at all). got out 1oz in about 20 mins i think, from opposite boob to one she had just fed on. didn't think it seemed a lot, but just read back through your responses to tictac and feel encouraged that maybe this was ok afterall. tictac - would be interested to compare progress over next few weeks, although I prob won't express as often as you, as no DH here most of the time to make use of the milk!
Anyway, DH just fed her the oz that we got out this morning, and she took it well from the bottle, so our search for teats most like mummy's nipples appears to have been worth the effort! Mind you, she seems to want to eat so much at the mo that she'd prob take it from a pop bottle and a straw!!

We seem to have regressed a bit in terms of getting in a long stretch of sleep at night though. Didn't manage more than an hour at a time last night. Fingers crossed that tonight is better.

tictac - can't believe that peyia is nearly a month old already .

cuffy - Lewis' behaviour the first couple of nights sounds very familiar! Pippa was the same, as the milk doesn't usually come in until day 3 or 4, so until then they scream through hunger, although m/w assured me that the bit of colostrum provides all that they actually need. Glad to hear that you have found a routine that works for you though, and of amount of sleep you are getting!

Hi all,
to those ladies popping in who have not joined us...I know I keep looking to see if you are with us officially or not...hope the babies come soon.

I am pro "whatever works for you" Peyia is feeding far better off the breast now and the bottle acts as a top up for about 1 to 1.5 ounces. it is amazing to see the difference in her.

Tabs- I am getting an ounce or so each night from the op breast to the one I am feeding off at the time. If you don't want to use it as a top up feed and keep it for DH, why not freeze it? I know it might seem daft freezing a small amount but it will mean your DH could do a full feed for you or indeed you wouldn't have to get your baps out in public if you where all out for the day

I feel like an old pro now feeding out and about...we are both v. comfortable at last!

Every day is so very different with the babies that if you have a bad night tonight, don't think that tomorrow will be the same, the chances are it wont...you will be surprised how that gets you through!

Going to bed now as I am knacked!
x

To those bottle feeding... I got a free sample of a new mam teat through the post (go to mam ) and it feels and looks really nice (Yes, I got it out and tried sucking it ) - It has a nice shape and a good feel to it. I'm going to see if it fits my avent bottles, and if it does, return the avent newborn teats I bought in and get a pile of the mam ones instead.

To those bottle feeding... I got a free sample of a new mam teat through the post (go to mam ) and it feels and looks really nice (Yes, I got it out and tried sucking it ) - It has a nice shape and a good feel to it. I'm going to see if it fits my avent bottles, and if it does, return the avent newborn teats I bought in and get a pile of the mam ones instead.

To those bottle feeding... I got a free sample of a new mam teat through the post (go to mam ) and it feels and looks really nice (Yes, I got it out and tried sucking it ) - It has a nice shape and a good feel to it. I'm going to see if it fits my avent bottles, and if it does, return the avent newborn teats I bought in and get a pile of the mam ones instead.

Thanks Flame. So good you said it 3 times
DD just decided to say hello so I have got myself up for the loo. Feel awake now!

Hi all. Lauren is still doing well I had her weighed to day and she's put on 300gms (so that must be abot 12 oz) good girl ! I found a really nice baby clinic run by a lady who was a health visitor in the uk so it feels like home! and you get half an hour apptm to talk about everything which is good.

Re the expressing I would suggest to keep trying - i am doing it first thing in the am (as per Gina!)before feeding and get about 2 -3 oz with the medela mini electric pump quite quickly. I also use breast cups that go in your bra while feeding and it is amazing how much leaks out of one side while you are feeding on the other l This milk can be used for top ups or frozen - i am gathering quite a lot in the freezer in the freezer storage bags! You can use it when weaning to mix the baby rice! I did all of this last time so if anyone has any questions then let me know.

Hi All,

Glad to hear you are all doing well. Ben is feeding well and is taking 3 ounces now every 2.5 - 4.5 hours. He is better throughout the night and has a grizzly time between 8pm and midnight. He seems a bit wheezy tonight, not sure if it is the way he breathes when he takes the bottle or not but his back rattles. Will mention it to the midwife on Tuesday. He was also projectile sick earlier, somthing I had no experienced before and it was a bit of a shock!! DH said he has done it twice before but hopefully that wont be a regular thing.

Cuffy - are you still in pain from your section? I really wasnt expecting to be in so much pain and going for a wee really hurts. The MW said this is because of the catheter but I had mine last Sunday so was hoping to feel better by now. Doctor has given me some painkillers and I'm ok if I keep up with them but I cant lay on my side comfortably at night. Getting out of chairs is getting easier though. Any advice anyone? How long till I feel human again????

So what does everyones bellies look like? Mine is a bit saggy at the moment but has gone flat at the top - I take it this is because the uterous is now shrinking.

I'm feeling really broody at the moment, I would love to experience pregnancy all over again but want to enjoy Ben first. Said to DH about "next time" earlier and I think he was a bit shocked especially with the tough labour and delivery I had but Ben is gorgeous. I cant believe how protective I feel towards him and how much I love him. I will definately be waiting for at least a year though ladies so no worries of another baby coming in 9 months!!!! I dont even know if I could fall naturall again after going through IVF but the midwives keep warning me that they have seen ladies fall very quickly after having one IVF baby.

Anyway, enough of my rambling, Ben just gone down so I'm off to bed. Hope you all have a peaceful night.

Hi 3K - 2 ladies in my NCT group had emergency sections and both are having very different experiences of a recovery. 1 is feeling fine (and has been since the following day!) and the oher, now 2 weeks in, is having a horrific time. She is has been back to hospital a couple of times because of stiches issues. Not sure if that helps you but I don't think there are any steadfast rules to recovery. Also from our group all but 2 of us still have saggy bellies...our youngest baby is 2 weeks old.

Again I don't know if this helps but Peyia never used to settle at that time at night either and I would be sat up with her for up to 4 hours. Have you tried up-ing Bens feed at 8? What time do you put him in his basket at night?
You can also try splitting his feed so about 1.5 ounces then a rather warm bath (MW suggested to me) followed by a baby massage and then a normal feed. This might be enough to get him to settle well.

Peyia is a little show off! I am trying to get some "us" time with DH after she has gone to bed and last night was our first real go at me going back down after I have put her to bed (I usually sleep myself!). Anyway, I did our normal routine (as suggested to 3K above) and I popped her in her basket by 8.30. She was sleeping at the time. Anyway when I checked back on her about 15 mins later she was wide awake and looking round the room. She seemed settled enough so I left her be and she took herself back off to sleep!! and to top it off, has not woken until 1pm for a feed....I have just put her back in the basket awake and it sounds like she has taken herself off to sleep again.
I'm v.impressed! It'll be a one off but hey...it's good!

I hope you are all doing well and will soon find the time to post...to think, we used to post so much while we where waiting for these little ones!

Morning - just crashing in (again)
Tic Tac -very impressed with your routine! Well done
3k - soryy your recovery is taking a while. Tic Tac is right , times vary alot, but we all get over it eventually. Keep going back to the DR if you're worried though...
I think most babies have an unsettled time in the evenings - DD2 used to spend hours bfeeding at that time. I never really had the strength or motivation to do much about it though, as it didn't cause me a problem (I'd given up on a life long ago), and discovered that early am was the best time to have "quality time" with DP!

Morning girls!

Dp has gone back to work today, so is my first week by myself (&dd2)

Dd2 had a 10 day check yesterday and has put on 6ozs since last Wednesday so is doing really well - I'm so paranoid about the weight gain issue because of dd1 - dp says to chill out as dd2 is doing well - but all new mums are paranoid aren't they?

Re recovery from sections. I'm actually feeling better than when I had a forceps delivery with dd1 - but think I'm perhaps overdoing it sometimes as I ache and feel a bit tender. I'm not supposed to be lifting heavy things - and this includes 16 months dd1 - but what am i supposed to do if she wants a cuddle and is crying?

dd1 is booked full-time into nursery for this week and next week - so hopefully by then I will be feeling stronger.

I'm panicking about feeding again, as I am striving to give the 8-12 feeds that are recommended for newborns - but what counts as a feed - 1 breast or both breasts etc. Dd2 only woke at 2.30 last night and then I had to wake her at 8 a.m. this morning - I know I should thank my lucky stars but I am so panicky as dd1 was a sleepy baby who started to lose weight - any advice?

Will hopefully be posting a lot more now - in between feeds and nappy changes.

Hotmama - I think the one breast or two thing is personal preferance. I only ever did one at each feed, but I know lots of mums recommend offering the second if you think she hasn't had much. If you start a new thread asking for advice, you'll probably get loads - there are lots of experienced bfers here.

Hotmama there are loads of theories out there about "how" to utilise your breast for feeding however this might help. Your breast milk is built in 3 stages which are water, protein and fats and they are delivered to your baby in that order. However it is said that the optimum time for all 3 to have a chance to come through the breast is 40 mins of feeding. So if you swap your side mid feed, your baby may not get all they need out of that feed. If however you find yourself feeding into the hours rather than 40 mins (which was my problem) then it is perfectly normal to swap sides. You might otherwise get a "full" feeling on the side not being fed from.

Your the mum so whatever you choose that works for you and your baby will be right! oh and don't get hung up on how many feeds your baby is getting. So long as you are following your DD demands then she will get all the feeds she needs. By coincidence we happen to 10 to 12 feeds a day but that was my DD demands, not me following gina ford etc... Good luck!

TicTac - sorry to contradict you, and I am not really in this 'club' but I have to butt in here, sorry again

You said, "Your breast milk is built in 3 stages which are water, protein and fats and they are delivered to your baby in that order. However it is said that the optimum time for all 3 to have a chance to come through the breast is 40 mins of feeding. So if you swap your side mid feed, your baby may not get all they need out of that feed." That's just wrong.

Breastmilk is not 'built' in 3 stages at all. Breastmilk as it reaches the baby gets creamier, in inverse relationship to the fullness of the breast - as the breast empties, it gets creamier, in other words. This is simply because the watery components of the milk trickle down between feeds, and then become available to the baby at the start of the feed and then as the milk ejection reflex gets the milk letting down, the creamier components unstick from the storage cell walls and become available to the baby as he feeds.

The time it takes for a baby to feed varies massively - 40 mins might be fine for some babies, at some times, but far too long or not enough for other babies, at other times. Best thing is to let the baby set the pace, including when to swap sides.

HTH

Hi - Tictac at your routine - sounds like you have settled in nicely.

So pleased everyone is starting to find feeding that works for them - completely agree with the "do what makes you happiest" theory.

Have had good and bad nights with Maisie but slept loads last night so feeling much better today

We are doing our first major shopping trip on our own tomorrow and I am finally getting my hair cut so should be in for an interesting day

TikTok - I have got my information from the health and welfare website due to the issues I was having with dd. My dh and I did an awful lot of research...there is always going to be contradicting views out there but science is science. TBH I don't much care, I know it' a supply and demand and breast milk is a clever little thing....it changes as per babies requirements and that will do for me.