November 2012 - babies are here at last

[StuntNun]

This is the post-natal club for graduates of the November 2012 intake.

Hello ladies. Still on the antenatal thread but like lurking on the postnatal! I have heard that basic baby massage helps trapped wind and colic. a lot of the baby books advise on how to do it (I know the what to expect book does) I think it is clockwise movements around their bellies and backs before a bath. I could be talking rubbish but it may help. Bye!

Sorry if this posts twice!

Hello ladies. Still on the antenatal thread but like lurking on the postnatal! I have heard that basic baby massage helps trapped wind and colic. a lot of the baby books advise on how to do it (I know the what to expect book does) I think it is clockwise movements around their bellies and backs before a bath. I could be talking rubbish but it may help. Bye!

Sorry if this posts twice!

dh there's no way fred was draining my boobs yesterday and today, i was a bit worried about infection too but they're ok so far and hopefully the milk will calm down a bit. I thought about expressing but think it may make things worse in long run to stimulate more milk production so will leave that for things to settle. Probably - i change my mind quite a lot!

Reflux is more than a bit of sick, it used to seem like it poured out of my first one. It didn't bother him so much as me - kellymom website (which i used a lot) described him as a 'happy sicker' as he did put on weight albeit a bit slower than the charts would have it. Fred seems to get tummy ache easily but i don't know if that's brcause i have too much milk at the moment so he's taking in a lot of air. Second babies - i think you just get slightly more relaxed about guessing the answers!!

Hello. This is going to b a long one. If LO stays asleep. Feed time is coming.

Haha he start crying. But grandad wants time with him so is feeding him.

First SRY. Bad joke on my part. The comment about calpol was me sry if it annoyed any one.

How do u know what degree burn u have? I didnt spot it in My notes have. The dr said I had a little tear, however when stitching me up mentioned that I'd have to have a catherter as tear was close to (can't remember the correct word) wee hole. N i had internal stitches. Also had to go on antibiotics as my stitches were "complicated", This was dr phrase.
I'm still slightly swollen. N quite sore today.

Got some fenugreek today. Noticed I'm able to express less milk today. . So going to try over night expressing tonight. See how much diff that makes.

Re infacol. Been giving it during day feeds since Wednesday. Seems to have made a little difference. He is a month tomorrow. So may try gripwater nxt.
With the boiled water how much should u give? And how often? Just remembered Midwife at antenatal class suggested boiled water with fennel seeds. However not sure how much fennel.

Have just had a couple sharp pains in my boob. Any suggestions?

Major epic post.

Right and if ur still reading WELCOME to all the newbies. Being a mum is great apart from poopy nappies and 3am feeds. But worth it

Good luck with the night feeds everyone. I for one am going to need it. LO hasn't done his usual 7-11 fussyness. Really hope that he doesn't shift it to wen I'm asleep.

Having a rubbish night so far - DS awake and feeding intermittently since 7pm and when not feeding, crying or whining, but not always latching on and not apparently windy.

DD also on sleep refusal and DH cross about having to deal with her (easiest way to settle her is to let her sleep with one of us - massive rod for own backs etc but it works almost instantly and the alternative is hours to get her back to sleep in own bed) as he thought it was reasonable for him to go out at midnight to collect some wanky game which he would have played all night and then be tired and cross tomorrow - when that's my prerogative.

Now DH is snoring away, DS and I are still awake, and I am trying not to feel stabby at the sound of DH getting lovely sleep, even if DD occasionally kicks him in the gut or preferably a tad lower.

We're up for our first feed here

madam don't even get me started in men and computer games I've threatened to break DPs many times

There's a breast feeding group on tomorrow and I'm debaiting if I should go or not, it could be quite good getting to talk to other local mums and reassurance about feeding but I hate the first one when you feel akward going there and don't know anyone, think I should bite the billet though it would be nice to be able to go each week

Lo fuss pot show is now on. I can hear him farting. But doesn't seem to be relieving the pain.
Oh goodness the screams r awful. As soon as I stop moving he screams. Then it takes a few moments to calm him down again

GT it's really hard to hear those screams isn't it. I remember loving gripe water as a child, just me?

Well in exciting developments we have had a big burp and a very sudden massive poo. Gosh I really am a parent aren't I. Hopefully that will make his tummy feel better. He is still only settling in my arms (not lying down) but he seems more peaceful and I am happy to let him use me as a pillow for now.

Am watching the film Shine on tv which I was in as an extra. Great movie.

Am tentatively waiting to see if L settles as have just transferred him to the Moses basket. Starting to sound like he will not.

GTbaby' I've not had it so not certain but I have heard that stabbing pains in the breast whilst feeding can be thrush. A friend had it and said it was agony. Might be worth getting it checked if it continues as it is easy to cure if that is what it is.

issy, debussy and horsey, your labour stories all sound very traumatic. The passage of time and being able to talk about what you went through may hopefully help you process your experiences. Reading about contractions that were so fast that you were unable to breathe or speak between them sounds terrifying debussy.

So you are a film star blonder?!

We are up attempting to feed. Nipples are so sore. It's annoying, some feeds are ok others agony. No rhyme or reason to it.

Baby didn't settle for the night til after 2am so we haven't had much sleep. I sent Dh to bed so u can have a nap later.

Health visitor has been in touch and will see us Fri. Aiming to go to BF class today, its at hospital so easy enough. Only thing is I'm not feeling safe to drive yet as so tired so hubby dropping me.

Just climbing back to bed. Wish us luck!

izzy I did night feeds n nappy changes at first so DH could sleep. N then he took over in morning which really helped. A little more difficult if bf put still a help.

Just pumped n got nothing. Not even a drop. Gota try stay motivated n keep pumping today. Hopefully the fenugreek pills will help. Feeling crap about it, but having spent so much money on pump feel I should at least try use it for more then two weeks!

This whole feeding sucks. Keep thinking back about things I should have tried. Spent hours researching so much before the birth. But I just took it for granted that breast feeding would just work.

Oh dear. I can see today turning into an emotional one.

Just been doing some research online. (Wtf is wrong with me I'm exhausted n should b sleeping!)
I think the medela membrane needs replacing. So it might not be my fault that I am unable to express. A little annoyed that it needs replacing after a weeks uses. But it's good news. I have a spare in box at home so will ask DH to bring it over before work. FC it makes a difference.

gt you mentioned you were getting stabbing pains, I had blocked ducts a couple of weeks ago and it was so so painful. I used a hot flannel on the boob and pumped and tried to massage the milk out. Pumping in the shower helped too. I was pumping really often and it really helped.

We did our first overnight breastfeeding and it seemed to go well. He was getting a bottle. It's so hard staying awake at night, how do you guys do it.
AND I think I got a half smile that was in response to me smiling at him. He smiles randomly so I might have jut been in th right place at the right time.

So sorry to have not posted. I had a job letting all the well wishers know and Facebook was the easiest way for me (plus guilt at not having time to catch up on thread ). I hope you're all as well as can be.

Wowsers! I can't even keep up with the current birthplosion happening here! I hope to keep up better on post natal and fb when I get round to it.

Aaaaanyway...I was induced for a 2nd time on Saturday lunchtime and gave birth to James Joseph George at 21:40 on 10/11/12 (am quite chuffed with the cool DOB...oh yeah and with the baby!) He weighed 8lb 14. I've been a bit tough on myself trying to adjust to motherhood (put it this way, a midwife had to help me change first nappy jn the night while i had a melt down of guilt and brain-farts apparently not remembering what to do) and its challenges but I've got good support and hope to ask lots of questions on the thread. I already have so many! Should be nice to learn some shared tips too.

Wonder if this will make anyone smile - I chugged on gas and air and was talking utter bollocks throughout but the most memorable was when I started trying to joke with DP singing (!) Eminem's song chorus 'I need a doctor, call me a doctor, I need a doctor, doctor, to bring me druuuugs' when I was at about 9cm. I keep cracking myself up remembering it whilst I was gnashing the entinox mouthpiece, ha!

Sleep at 10, up at 1-2, then again at 5 and was trying to feed her for an hour. Both boobs were so full she couldn't latch, I had milk pouring everywhere. Dh got up with ds at half 6 so I expressed a bit so she could latch on and expressed the other side for some relief. I got 3oz out and could've easily done more but I didn't want my boos making the same amount again. Annoyingly I had to express with a pump/ bottle that wasn't sterile so have to chuck the milk.

Went back to bed for about 40mins at 7 so don't feel too awful. Oh and we're co sleeping because both my children seem to hate the Moses basket!

I loved the gas and air.

Congrats Peaky and lol at the singing. l am sooo tired. Up every hour last night, no idea why, unless its cos he was kicking. his blankets off. Luckily DH is off today but working next 8 days in a row, so lots of early mornings and school runs to do.
gt hope changing the membrane works for you.

Hi ladeez, I have created a new thread for when this one's finished as I'm now five days overdue and hoping things are going to start happening soon!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1611078-November-2012-the-birthplosion-thanks-Peaky

Link didn't work because of the formatting www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1611078-November-2012-the-birthplosion-thanks-Peaky Sorry!

Touch wood DD2 seems to have taken very well to feeding so far. I found it quite difficult with DD1 so for the ladies that are struggling, you have my sympathies. I had to stop expressing with DD1 as I felt like a cow. For the first 2 months I either had a baby or a pump attached to me. Sometimes both. It's so tricky. I think it's cos I'm more relaxed this time round and know what to expect. I will breast feed exclusively as long as I can and then go to mixed feeding as soon as exclusive breast feeding takes its toll. I really felt so guilty when I resorted to mixed feeding with DD1 but this time round I've promised myself I won't feel guilty. You are all doing such a great job and please try to remember you are all doing the best for yourselves and babies. Try not to give yourselves a hard time, easier said than done I know!

DH21 we are pretty much co-sleeping at the moment too as like you both my babies seem to dislike the Moses basket. She will sleep in it at day time but cries within 10 mins of being put in it at nighttime!

Congratulations peaky

Thanks stunt hope things get moving for you soon! How are you feeling?

I've had a shit morning, I hate family drama! LO is not impressed with having an upset mummy whilst trying to feed

GT I have the Medelas Harmony manual pump. When expressing for DD, I was having similar problems as you. Turned out there was a tiny plastic ring on one part that had fallen off. Luckily, and amazingly, we actually found it a few days later and pump started working fine again. But not before I went and bought the Philips Avent, which I like much better. Good luck!

In-laws are staying w/us for a few weeks, which has been great help. DD adjusting to new baby well but going through teething hell. Spencer doing great -- still quite chiled out and sleeping loads, but has ghained back the weight he initially lost and then some. DD waking from nap now, so must run.

Congrats to all the new grads and babies!

Just to be serious for a moment...

If you have had a difficult birth then I highly recommend you discuss it with someone, even if it's just talking about it on MN since I don't know whether debriefs are widely available. I know PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a term that is bandied about, but it is quite possible to be traumatised by a birth even when everything ends up okay. Don't bottle up any issues that you are having, thinking that you can't talk about it. Maybe wait a few weeks but you need to work through your experience.

I had a very bad delivery with my DS1 ten years ago and there were knock-on effects of PND, failure to bond and the likely trigger of DS1's eating, anxiety and behavioural problems. Even several years later I wasn't able to discuss it without crying. I don't want to go into too many details wtih so many of us November ladies due imminently but I thought my DS1 had died during delivery and he did come very close (Agpar at birth was 1). I also had an awful time in hospital post-delivery and with breastfeeding. The PND was horrendous. I wish MN had been around then as I would have coped better with some support and may have been able to prevent some of the problems that resulted.

I also want to encourage you to look forward positively. A difficult birth doesn't mean you should rule out any more children in the future although you may feel that way at present. A friend of mine ended up with a collapsed lung due to diabetes and a difficult delivery and ended up in bed for months while her sister looked after her newborn baby. For her next baby she had an elective section and no complications, a completely different experience. My second delivery was a straightforward VBAC and I'm hoping really hoping for the same this time rather than dwelling on my first labour.

Don't let anyone dismiss your birth experience no matter whether what happened seems trivial or because the eventual outcome was fine.. Different people respond in different ways and I see enough evidence of peoples' troubles on this thread to be concerned about a number of you. I don't want anyone to go through what I went through with my DS1. Post-natal difficulties are also common, difficult to cope with at a time when you're sore, sleep-deprived and wondering just what you've got yourself into. We're very lucky to have access to sympathy, advice and support on here and I hope everyone will be able to use it to gain some perspective on their own experience and feelings.

And for the FTMs I just want to tell you that my current baby DS2 lost his first baby tooth yesterday and it's such an exciting event in his life. He had to phone his grandparents last night, and tell his teacher as soon as he got to school this morning! You have so much to look forward to as your gorgeous babies grow in toddlers and then into small people, maybe not so much when they become teenagers! Their birth and these difficult early days are only a tiny chapter in their lives with you and I promise you have so much joy to look forward to.

Thanks stunt. Lovely post. Agree with the birth issues - my first was a cat 1 EMCS under GA and I woke up during the op (which thankfully I dont remember) but it wasnt the birth I had wanted. I did have a chance to discuss with hospital staff a few months later which was v helpful and allowed me to move on with some perspective (DD and I were both fine).

Am another one doing unplanned co sleeping. DS doesn't like to be put down, so he is in with me so we can get some rest. Bloody dreading DH going back to work as currently getting an extra few hours sleep between 7am feed and this one, which won't happen when DH at work and am dealing with DD too.