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March 2012 - Brewed to Perfection!

702 replies

TroubleAndFyfe · 26/03/2012 06:59

Hello all, come and add your babies to the list and let's see what adventures they bring! Smile

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broodylicious · 09/05/2012 23:08

GP was fine thanks trouble. Although I must admit, slightly surprised at the lack of interrogation from the doc. I imagined that because it's called postnatal check up, I'm a first time mum, had ventouse delivery and accompanying episiotomy, she would've asked to see my bits. Not that I wanted to get them out, but that was what I'd imagined would happen. She just asked what contraception I wanted to use (and gave me prescription for it), whether my cut had healed and how Poppy had been. No questions to check if i had pnd, although maybe she would be able to pick up on that in how i answered, or physical exams. Is this what everyone else has experienced or have you had a more thorough check?
Anyway, she did check (a very hungry) DD over and all is good. She frightened the life out of me doing the reflex test though! Not sure that throwing a baby up a few inches and catching her is the best way to do it?!?! I know the doc would not have not caught her (oooh bad grammar but as I'm not at work, I'm not going to correct myself hahahahaha!!!) but it still worried me nonetheless. Hey ho, nothing bad happened and they have to test somehow I guess.

TroubleAndFyfe · 10/05/2012 02:17

Sounds like the TUK/Sma teat I tried that my sister had at the hospital kiki, I've reused it too though have another in its little pack still. Maybe he'll change his mind on Sunday (going to try once per week).
broody which reflex was she testing for?! Confused My postnatal check was much the same, I had already asked the midwife if it would usually involve a physical exam and she had told me it wouldn't if you weren't having any problems so sounds pretty normal. Mine too was brief. Fyfe had a physical exam but no reflex tests/circus skills! Grin

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Punk80 · 10/05/2012 10:30

I was also surprised at my post natal check as she didn't really check anything just talked about contraception. She also said that as I was ebf I probably didn't need to use contraception but I have heard of people getting pregnant really quickly again even though they are bf so don't think I'll rely on it. I had similar labour to you broody but with forceps and whilst didn't want doctor poking about would have been reassuring. Also think if you were feeling low that wouldn't have been great forum to get help. Ok rant over Grin
Sounds like you're all doing well with the bottles and teats. I haven't tried again since first traumatic event but know I should give it a go!
arden you're doing do well persevering with bf you must be exhausted. Well done to you and I hope gp listens to you as you know your baby and what you're talking about more than them Smile

broodylicious · 10/05/2012 16:10

Holy moly punk was it the doctor who told you ebf = no babies?! So wrong!!! We are actually really fertile right now so could get preggo straight away!!

KikiRC · 10/05/2012 17:49

Yes, definitely use contraception- BFing just lowers the risk, doesn't cut it out altogether.

My PN check was pretty quick, too- she checked Ivy's eyes & asked a few general questions. She didn't seem to know she'd been back in hospital or anything about her brace, so it wasn't especially helpful from my point of view, but I guess it's just a brief standard check. She has her first injections next week.

Ivy had another scan today- it's slowly looking a bit better, but the hips still aren't in the right position, so we have another 2 week wait until the next scan and check-up. It's dragging a bit...

TroubleAndFyfe · 11/05/2012 05:17

punk we're not all doing well with bottles and teats! Wink good luck if you try again. They are funny little creatures, I'm not investing in any other types of bottle/teat now that knitterati has said her baby stopped taking the fancy calma bottle! Someone in my post natal group was told she had to top up 1ml after every feed and do one bottle feed a day (Hmm) and her baby has recently started refusing the bottle too, they were weighed yesterday though and she's doing fine without it so good on her! Grin
Fyfe is now 10 weeks old Shock and weighs 13lb 13oz so 3oz off of a stone! Smile amazing to look at him and hold him and think 'I did that' Grin
kiki sorry to hear that Ivy's treatment is dragging, it must be really hard her still having to wear the brace, fingers crossed these next couple of weeks make a difference.

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Punk80 · 11/05/2012 13:02

Sorry trouble thought most people were ok with it. How is Fyfe with it? Did you manage to leave a bottle and go out for your anniversary? Was going to try and get it sussed in time for our anniversary so we could go out but my mum who was going to babysit has broken her wrist so don't think it will be happening.
How are people managing visitors? We seem to have people up all the time which is lovely but hard going! Dh mum rung on tues and said we want to come and see our grand daughter on Saturday. You feel mean saying no but what about waiting for an invite?! At this rate we're going to have mine or dh parents here every weekend.

broodylicious · 11/05/2012 17:18

Know exactly what you mean punk - Visitors to our home are welcome but at our invite only. A few weeks ago, when dd would've been three or four weeks old, and I'd invited my friends over, I was actually very straightforward and honest and said they're welcome but please could they keep the visit to just an hour because of feeding and my tiredness. It is not like me to speak like that, i never want to fall out with people or upset them and so because they know that and the way I worded it, they weren't at all put out and said they were just pleased to come and congratulate us and meet the LO.

Re relatives - from the very start, we told both families that we would be having "no visitor days" or "new family days" so that DH, DD and I could enjoy getting to know each other, slob about or just do what we want. That was important while DH had his two weeks off work, but now he's back and working four or five days a week, we want at least one day a week when it's just us. He works funny hours and any of the seven days (ie its not a 9-5, mon-fri job). My mum gets a bit sulky if we say we're having a NV day on a saturday or that we're not going to be around for them to see us (ie if we've agreed to see other people) but we just take it as they're our rules and we're sticking to them for now. Might seem harsh but it's what we want and what works for us.

TroubleAndFyfe · 11/05/2012 17:30

Not completely sure punk! I got a bit in to him with the tiny TUK teat then left him with my mum for 3 hours, she gave him the bottle but thought I had already put the milk in it when I hadn't Grin so she essentially gave him a dummy! He sucked it very happily and fell asleep! We may try again this weekend (with milk!) Smile

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TroubleAndFyfe · 11/05/2012 17:37

X posts broody! Sounds like a good system. We've not had any problems really, my mum comes over most days whilst DH is at work and we go out for a walk with Fyfe and the dog and we've had friends to visit most weekends but they've only come for a day despite us encouraging them to stay for the while weekend! It's nice for us though as we've moved and want to show our friends round so want them to come for long visits so we can get out and about and explore.

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TroubleAndFyfe · 11/05/2012 17:38

Whole not while! Blush

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ardenbird · 12/05/2012 09:58

How weird about the reflex check, broody. I'd guess it'd be the startle/falling reflex she was checking for? My DD exhibits it if you just lean her back fast, not sure being airborn is neccessary!

Best wishes for your DD, kiki. I hope the two week check shows lots of improvement.

And I'm afraid I'm horrid at expressing - the IBCLC said to pump anyway as the stimulation was useful, and I've been trying to. Five pumping sessions or so and I might have 10ml. But it also hard to do all these things and keep DD fed! I've found that, despite what they say about feeding to cue, that DD is better if I let her get a little desperate. She actually opens her mouth then. I'm wondering if opening wide is uncomfortable, so she's only willing to do it if she's really hungry. Makes me feel bad to make her wait, but I've been trying that the last couple feeds and we have less of a "fight" as it is easier to get her latched on. It does make for massively long feeding sessions, though, like over 2 hours, so I'm feeding nearly constantly. I think I need to learn to do things in 15 minute spurts.

I've been exploring private options for DD - phoned an IBCLC who had some advice and recommended a cranial osteopath. We have an appt with her on Monday. It was funny, as just that day I was saying to DH that people in the March thread went to one and I wonder what it is and why... But it sounds like it could be useful and might have something to do with why DD doesn't like opening her mouth. I've also used a "remote service" of a TT expert who does initial consults over the internet/phone. I've filled in their forms and a waiting to hear back now. They're not close, but perhaps a conceivable drive if we make a two-day trip and stop at a friends' place half-way.

We're not having trouble with visitors, as people we know are either really local or very far away. PIL were here for the first three weeks to help out, which was a bit crowded, but they were super-helpful and fed us and stuff. Local visitors have all been very polite about staying no more than half an hour or so. I actually wish people would come more often, as I'm feeling somewhat isolated. My Mum is coming in a week and a half, and staying a week, which will be more interesting. I hope she might be helpful, but she can be high-maintenance. Also, when she bought her plane tickets two weeks ago, I was sure we'd have DD's issues sorted by then. But at the rate things are moving, we might need to be traveling somewhere for something while she's here. Oh well, maybe she can make the trip easier.

DD had an hour of awake-but-not-hungry yesterday, the longest period in a long time, which made me quite happy! It's very disheartening when she just seems 'almost hungry' all of the time. Unfortunately she did it when all I wanted was a nap, so we didn't take the most advantage of it, and I just sat on the couch attempting to entertain her with toys (babies sure have short attention spans, don't they?) and eventually walked around the house and looked out windows (while I wished she fall asleep so I could too).

KikiRC · 12/05/2012 20:25

Hope you're all having a good weekend- it's been lovely here. Just wondering how many of you have had first injections yet? Ivy has hers on Tuesday. Did anyone get a fever or anything? I was advised to get some Calpol just in case she had a reaction- haven't given her anything like that before, hopefully we won't need it. Also, next to the Calpol in my local Boots was a row of Gripe Water (both the branded one & their own make). Just thought I'd mention it 'cos I remember someone saying it was hard to get hold of a while back- maybe stocks have been replenished? It was about £2 or £3..

TroubleAndFyfe · 12/05/2012 20:41

Fyfe had his two weeks ago kiki, he was absolutely fine, no fever. Thanks, yes, gripe water is back in stock! Smile

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KikiRC · 12/05/2012 20:56

It's a funny thing to have a run on, gripe water, isn't it?! Good to see there's some about now, anyway. x

ardenbird · 14/05/2012 21:42

Just back from osteopath. DD already a little better at opening her mouth, so I'm very encouraged. It was also nice to get validation that DD really is uncomfortable and I'm not just crazy and/or have bad technique.

Although, we managed to schedule the appointment, a 2 hr drive that construction turned to 3, on a growth spurt day. Oh my. It was feed in public trial by fire. We fed at: rest area parking lot, medical centre, Indian restaurant, (all afternoon at breastfeeding support group in that town), ikea cafe, and ikea parking lot. Phew. And I imagine I'll be up late tonight satisfying her delayed needs from the day. Hopefully next week won't have such a desperately hungry baby...

broodylicious · 14/05/2012 23:18

Sadwhat a hellish few days we've endured. DD had serious bout of colic on Saturday - to coincide with me driving the 60 mile trip to my folks of course. She woke up ok but after an hour or so, it was clear she was gonna be trouble and sure enough, on came the colic. Drive over to the folks was great as she just slept but after half an hour of us arriving, on came the screaming....hour after hour after hour - started about 2ish, went on til about 730. It stressed me out so much and I just broke down. I didn't want my folks to think I can't cope but in reality, at that particular point in time, I couldn't. They were great and took her for cuddles (with her screaming still) and comforted me too.

Today, she's been awake for getting on 14 hours. Constantly. Ten minute snooze after a feed this morning, tried to move her but she wouldn't be put into her bed, so I had to hold her but then she wouldn't go back to sleep - no amount of rocking, singing, quiet talking would do it. Then I took her for a drive; she fell asleep after five trips around the block but woke up about two minutes of coming back into the house. Taken her again at 930, again she fell asleep and stayed sleeping for 10 minutes of being home but now she's wide awake again. DH has her now trying to coax her to shut her eyes while I've come upstairs to rest. Ha. Not likely.
Please tell me this is just a growth spurt thing?!?!

TroubleAndFyfe · 15/05/2012 01:14

Wow arden don't you just love those hungry days?! Smile great the osteopathy has made a difference already!
broody Sad that sounds really, really tough, poor you. I really hope you've all managed to get some sleep tonight?
The efficient feeding didn't last by the way, just a fluke it seems as back to feeding very frequently by the next day. The night feeds have got shorter though, now usually up for half an hour rather than an hour. Now that I've written that it'll probably be jinxed and never happen again! Grin

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TroubleAndFyfe · 15/05/2012 09:22

Do any of you have any top tips to share by the way? I have two:
Buy plain yogurt to mix with cereal, it can then be eaten one handed.
Put baby down (if you want to) whilst drowsy,not when already asleep.

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KikiRC · 15/05/2012 12:54

Not a tip as such, but something Ivy loves is wearing a rattle on her wrist- if I lay her down with some music on she'll sing away & rattle along happily for up to about half an hour, especially if I'm nearby joining in the singing.. Means I can move about and get things done for short bursts when she's not sleeping...

TroubleAndFyfe · 15/05/2012 15:23

Sounds good kiki! I'll look out for one! I forgot another one, Fyfe will happily lay naked on a changing mat on the bathroom floor whilst I have a shower and get dressed! Smile

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TroubleAndFyfe · 16/05/2012 11:01

I've sent you a text kiki, let me know if you still have probs with your phone.

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TroubleAndFyfe · 20/05/2012 07:24

Bit quiet round here! Are you all having a nice weekend? Grin

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knitterati · 20/05/2012 17:34

Yup! Having a nice w/e after going to the baby show in Birmingham on Friday - fabbo!
It has been quiet on here...

Anyone got any tips on settling baby to sleep?

TroubleAndFyfe · 20/05/2012 18:03

Hi knitterati, the show sounds fun, did you get lots of things? Smile
I feed Fyfe to sleep every night still, are you trying to avoid that or is that not working for you?

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