The brookers post graduate thread

[hawthers]

We've got so good at brooking no argument for no pregnancy complications and sneeze births, we're going for our Phds in big fat babies

Yep Pomme that is correct r.e antibodies. Also the interaction of feeding itself tells your body which antibodies/nutrition your baby needs and then your body tailors your milk for their needs. Squirt your milk in Abbie's eye a few times a day, should help clear it up. :)
Also the great thing is that Abbie hasn't lost weight even though she is poorly, so well done! Your are doing so well, everyone is, and have absolutely smashed statistics :)

I feel I should caveat my last post with the fact that Scarlet posted on this thread before Jaggy so the 24 hour birth-link might be a bit hit and miss. On the other hand has anyone seen Scarlet today!?! Maybe the No Brooking pattern wasn't broken after all?!?!

I do hope Pomme and Abbie recover from their colds super fast - No Brooking hard!

Pomme - E has a cold and a gunky eye too! Spooky coincidence! And thank you purple I remember now the thing about putting BM on their eye to clear it up. I'd just been doing cooled boiled water thus far...

In other news I've finally worked out why I find bf so blooming uncomfortable when I'm out. There was a lady feeding at the hospital and I see that most normal people hold the baby in both arms so the head is sort of resting on one forearm / elbow and the other arm holding the bottom / legs. But I have to support the boob in use with one hand (or else it just falls out of his mouth because it's too heavy) so I have one arm wrapped round his torso and supporting his head with just one hand so really the weight of his head is resting on my fingers. No wonder my arms ache! Especially if I haven't got an arm of the chair to support the arm that's supporting the boob.

(sorry, I realise this probably makes no sense without seeing it!)

When I asked DH why I found it so hard he said 'maybe everyone else is just stronger than you' Hmm, cheers......

Of course that doesn't help me make it better but at least I understand why it aches!

Still v excited by the Jaggy news and looking forward to more imminent babies

Biscuits can you not let your boob sit in its natural position and adjust the hold on E so he can latch and then you have both arms supporting him?

I have never managed that Purple - I can't quite work out why .

For starters I think maybe the position of everything would make DS sort of curled round too much so his chin would be down on his chest (iyswim) otherwise I'd need to hold him in a straight line pointing away from me?

And it just seems to pull out of his mouth if I'm not holding it. I haven't quite got to the bottom of why - but it was exactly the same with DS1

I shall focus on why it doesn't work next time I feed and see if I can work it out.....

Did you ever have blocked ducts or mastitis with DS1? When I feed my ds his body is downwards at an angle, as long their spine is inline then have a try. Google biological nurturing for some pointers. Maybe you could seek out a peer supporter who might be able to help with positioning? The idea is that positioning is sustainable and comfortable. :)

Also would a sling help? A ring type one?

Grr f only gained 125g this week (half of the gain from the previous week). I've started to reduce the domperidone which I've been using to boost my milk supply. Really hope this is a temporary blip and f will just feed more to adjust my supply right?

Would be really nice to stop mentalling over this

That is still a gain, this is a good thing :) It might just be that he is a slow grower. How is feeding wise? Is he coming off happy and content? If he wants more he will feed more that should help your supply. If he is content, alert and of good colour? Is there any other reasons why you feel that gain isn't good enough? To me that is a great gain for a week! You are doing great honestly :)

purple I did have nasties and blocked ducts with ds1 and have had blocked ducts this time too. Are you meaning it's because of holding my boob? So fingers digging in? I try to be really careful not to support it with my fingers.

It's not a problem at home - I rest DS and boob on my big v pillow and it's comfy for both of us. But because of the mega boobs, the nipples are quite a long way out from my body so it's hard to find a way to hold him that doesn't involve holding him out away from my body. Otherwise he's like a rock climber taking on an overhang

Nasties? Mastitis! Same thing really....

Oh biscuits that all sounds tough. I bloody hate blocked ducts. I used to get them quite often and someone on another thread suggested it could be associated with other things like how I wear my bag or the positions I sleep in.

Weight gain an issue as he is on calorie enhanced milk and still needs to be catching up. So over it.

Holding your breast can increase risk as it can be quite easy to occlude the ducts. I think it could be worth seeing someone to help with positioning, if you want to, I would love to help but v. far away :)

I think if F is gaining weight, you can give yourself a pat on the back :)

Never obviously I have nil bfing experience, but I just wanted to say that I firmly believe in the human body knowing what it needs! If little F is happy and content (apart from that pesky cold) then I'm sure he's getting what he needs. If he wasn't getting enough I'm certain he would demand more. I would take it on faith that Farley has a better idea of what he needs than all the bfing charts in the world!

Now I could be completely wrong with this theory, but I really think that you've looked after your little man perfectly and I think you deserve a big pat on the back!

Thanks guys. Not very good at accepting these things. I tend to go straight to panic! And breathe.

scream looking forward to seeing more of you over here soon :)

Never - I agree - you're doing a grand job. I hate that it is all so stressful but you're doing awesomely.

purple - I'm convinced you're right about it causing blocked ducts (or at least sometimes causing it. For that reason I'm always careful to use the heel of my hand rather than fingers so the 'pressure' is spread. But I also think my left boob is just prone to them, physiologicallyor something. There must be ducts more prone to blocking than others iyswim (you know if here not built quite right?)

I might look into seeing someone re positioning if i can be bothered. It's not a problem at the moment, more of an inconvenience than anything else. But I'll keep it in mind and maybe think about how better to position.... Other than that I just do my best to feed at home here we possible.

I never enjoyed bf last time and I'm not really this time (although it ain't as bad as last time) but i'll keep at it until 6 mths if I can - just see how it goes!

Biscuits some people are more prone to blocked ducts. And any pressure can cause an issue, hence well fitting bras are important too. Would you enjoy bf more if you could feed more comfortably out and about? If yes please go and see someone :)

Never your doing great :)

Purple - I sought lots of help last time, and never really made it any more comfy so I'm sort of reconciled to this being how it's going to be. But it's not for ever so it's fine, I'm quite happy with it all.

And good fitting bras - i think they fit ok but I literally have no choice in my cup size so it's a matter of taking what I can get sadly. They were fitted last time by the NCT lady and seem to fit the same this time. We'll get there.

I just don't think I'll ever be someone who finds bf to be this amazing experience (although I would certainly be happier if it was easier when out and about).

Maybe I should make the effort and see if someone can help now I've sort of worked out what the problem is. We had so many latch issues last time they probably overshadowed the position issue. At least I can ask a specific question now instead of just 'help!'. I guess I just need someone to come and sit and help me get comfy.

I might start a thread on here to see what other big-boobers do?

I apologies for taking over the thread - I don't really mean it to be a 'problem' just an observation as to how I do it differently

biscuits - I have done of your issues on my right boob but am like the ladies you saw on my left! I hate feeding from the right in public, had to do it this pm in cafe Nero and just felt so embarrassed! She comes off, screams, I have to really grab my boob and wave it around at her! Yuck! I was bright red and sweaty by the time I finished! At home I lean back on the sofa and lay her across me but obv can't do that in a cafe!

I was however happy to say 'totally bf' at her check and my next aims are to say 'totally bf' at 8,12 and 16 week jabs. As purple says - all about the stats!!!

Just had a huge poo which means two in two days which I think is a good sign for her intake. Dd1 at nursery on Friday too this week so plan to spend the day just feeding Abbie!

I assume you mean A had a big poo? I mean it's great news whoever had the poo

That's interesting that it's different on each side for you Pomme! Isn't it weird!

I'm also delighted that people seem to understand my cack handed descriptions!

A had the poo and the overuse of ! Is truly appalling. Apologies to all.

Just feeding e and tried the 'just letting it all hang naturally' approach and the latch just isn't as good. No idea why but it just feels as though it's pulling underneath. Although embarrassingly he can just lie on my legs and pretty much reach my boob from there. I really do hate my boobs .

I mean he gets food in him when we're out - its just not such good fun as when we're at home.

Oh biscuits I have an Anita bra which is amazing. Underwired and basically a gift from god to making my boobs look at all normal in a t shirt. I'm a 34g currently and they do bigger sizes than that too.

The only time I have ever liked my boobs was post dd1 when I stopped bf. they were smaller! Without surgery! Literally amazing. Am hoping for even smaller post this one.

Pomme ive just googled and it looks like it goes up to an I cup. I'm a J cup I think, or maybe a JJ?

Although I didn't think we had I cups in this country? It's just such a faff bra shopping especially when you're buying stupid obscure sizes you can only get online

I don't think there is an underwired nursing bra made in a J cup, although I have found some 'semi-wired ones. I am just trying to justify the expense of new ones when last time's fit fine and we're supposed to be saving money.

Hey ho - not too long until weaning....

Crikey - just checked - my nursing bras are a 36K