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December 2012 - the sleep and poo thread (too much of one, not enough of the other)

996 replies

PurplePidjin · 06/01/2013 22:45

Shock
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
pmgkt · 10/01/2013 09:09

The general principle of massaging the scar to increase blood flow and healing is fine, I was advised this on a non section scar years ago. I was going to use up my bio oil on my scar don't see why this is any different. Don't be too hard though, I was told circular motion was best.

PurplePidjin · 10/01/2013 09:13

Seymore, have you tried cloth nappies? I don't want to proselytise but they're far less likely to give a rash because there are fewer chemicals. Australia has some fab ones, i can invite you to some (fairly international) groups on fb if you like?

OP posts:
utopian99 · 10/01/2013 09:25

I used bio oil for a bit but also silicon gel sheets for two months on operation scars which i imagine would behave the same way to a section some years ago which made a huge difference to the softness and colour, although I wouldn't pretend you can't see the scar anymore..

The sheets are made by elastoplast (cheaper ones), or cica-care (more expensive), and I cut them up to fit just along the scars which made the sheets go further/more cost effective.. You can buy them from big boots stores, or cheaper off ebay if you search.
www.elastoplast.co.uk/instant-help/health-and-protection/beautiful-healing

www.smith-nephew.com/key-products/advanced-wound-management/other-wound-care-products/cicacare/

WLmum · 10/01/2013 09:29

seymore that sounds awful, poor little mite. I'm sure you have tried but I've always found metanium cream to work wonders. Also have tried leaving hisnappy off for as long as possible, for example if he's under his baby gym - use a disposable bed mat to catch expulsions!

seconds tt was picked up by hospital feeding advisor clinic thing. T's was posterior which they said often gets missed so I think we were lucky. Z sounds like dd1 - I never did get to the bottom of it but in hindsight think it's likely she had tt too.

Clarella · 10/01/2013 09:43

thanks utopian and pmkt. was never too sure of bio oil but now have a use for the 3 bottles I was given!! (I'm giving 2 to other pregnant women!)

Clarella · 10/01/2013 09:52

oh seymore - that's really tough. G has had an odd little raw bit round his bottom since week one - I feel awful about it but yours sounds much worse how awful :( it got better when we started using metanium then the doc prescribed canesten hc for the hc but we honestly think it got worse so stopped 2 days ago as the skin is bordering broken - only a couple of specs of blood tho - and I think trying to get it dry and thin layerof titanium helping slowly. Dh puts it on thickly though - I'm wondering if thin helps it dry out more. the constant pooing is hard though - every time we try to give nappy off time we're constantly wiping dribbles of poo. hope it gets better soon for you, the heat can't be helping

SpottyTeacakes · 10/01/2013 10:12

Seymore that sounds horrible Sad hope you can get it sorted soon

Seconds how did you get a lll councillor to come out to you?

SeymoreInOz · 10/01/2013 10:28

Thanks everyone, sorry for the outburst. It looks like it's getting slightly worse even though we've been trying everything so I had a little meltdown. I'm also a bit worried about the amount of chemicals going on his butt - hydrocortisone, fucidin, daktarin, zinc etc!

clarella we have been putting the cream on very thick, a thinner application might be worth a try.

WLMum Actually I forgot the GP gave me some disposable mats, thanks! Saves endless towels going in the wash.

pidj I was actually starting to think it could be the nappies and maybe cloth nappies would be better. FB groups would be really helpful, thanks!

Stacks · 10/01/2013 10:55

Little T had some slight nappy rash. A very thin layer of benpanthen (or something like that) has cleared it up in a few days. MW told me a thick layer of cream gets onto the nappy and stops it from absorbing the poo/wee. The rash is caused by ammonia from the poo and wee mixing - so the lack of absorption could be making it worse. Also second advice for time with nappy off.
Are you using wipes or water for cleaning bums? We're still on water, but I just bought reusable wipes (brand I got was Cheeky Wipes) they come with a natural essential oil to use, then you just add water. Easier than cotton wool, and cheaper and less chemicals than wipes.

Pidg, I'd also be interested in som FB groups, and any recommendations you have for real nappies. I really want to use them but we're in disposables as I've no idea what nappy to choose! T is 9lb now, so too small for the council 'trial pack' we can get here (£14 to borrow 8 nappy types and all the accessories for 3 weeks) as that starts at 10lb. We've spent £25 on disposables in 2 weeks though, so I want to move over ASAP.

HV came yesterday. I got a referral to a baby massage lady who'll come to our house to teach us some colic relief massage. There's nhs classes too, but they start at 4w and T is only 2w. He was weighed too and is up to 9lb 1oz from birthweight of 8lb 8oz. Knowing that had really helped with my anxiety over breastfeeding problems and his latch. As long as its only my pain I have to deal with, and not starving him, I can manage (though ofc I'm still going to sort out the pain and latch!).

Ikea group was ok, lots of older babies and everyone already knew each other. However, HV there showed me a new latch and was nice and easy to talk to. Will go back next week and make an effort to talk to people.

HoneyMumandSon · 10/01/2013 11:23

D has decided 4am is the time to wake up and refuse to go back in his Moses basket in the morning. I dozed off with him on my chest this morning - does that make me a bad and unsafe mummy? He won't be put to co-sleep in our bed so that's the only way I can get any rest after 4 am

SpottyTeacakes · 10/01/2013 12:02

Yay my mums friend has a baby swing we can borrow. Hopefully I will now be able to cook dinner in peace!

WillYouDoTheFandango · 10/01/2013 12:02

Honey J has decided our time is 4:30am. I ended up doing exactly the same as you. It's the only way to get any bloody sleep.

Oh Seymore that sounds horrid. No advice just big hugs Sad

Waiting for the mw to come. I have to leave for the hospital in 45 mins, she has never been later tahn 11am before. Sods law!

Bellaboo123 · 10/01/2013 12:03

Well we ended up having to go to children's a&e as she wldnt settle and was clearly getting more and more distressed. If she was older we'd have been able to give her calpol but docs had to prescribe due to her age. Seems happier today though. Mummy and daddy just whacked!!!

TT was spotted at birthing unit, if any doubt I'd get it checked out!

Good luck willyou!

Hope everyone has good days!

Stacks · 10/01/2013 12:04

I don't think sleeping on your chest is too unsafe (T is currently sleeping on mine). The biggest risk is sofas isn't it? Last night T fell asleep on my chest - I then wriggled down to be laying on the bed, and slowly turned to my side, supporting him until he was laying on the bed beside me. Stayed close for 10m more, then moved away and covered him with his blanket. Worth a try (if your bed is safe for co sleeping)? He slept another 2h after that.

SpottyTeacakes · 10/01/2013 12:05

I'm glad she's happier Bella, I would have thought it would be better for them to give her a paracetamol suppository after they did it as it can't be very nice

WLmum · 10/01/2013 12:06

Yep, baby wipes gave dd2 terrible sore bum, so I use reusable wipes and water - washed baby wipes are also super soft without the chemicals and easier than cotton wool.

I am about to start using my reusable nappies with dd3, having used them with dd1+2. I've got tots bots size 1 for now, but will move onto mother care smart nappies later as they are less bulky around the tummy. I Originally had a rep from 'the nappy lady' come out - it's free and then they get commission if you order through them. It was really helpful.

theblushingpeony · 10/01/2013 12:08

honey You're not a bad mummy, I sometimes fall asleep with DD on my chest too if it's the only way to calm her down after a feed. DP eventually puts her in the moses basket so she's not on my chest all night. The last few mornings DD has woken up at 5ish and seemed really alert so I put her next to me in bed and she usually falls asleep within 10mins. I feel like a bad lazy mummy as she would obviously want to play but I need to get more sleep. Confused

SpottyTeacakes · 10/01/2013 12:09

I try to get ds to sleep on my chest but he hates it Hmm

WLmum · 10/01/2013 12:11

Sleeping on your chest isn't inherently unsafe, it's just the getting too hot that you have to watch out for so don't cover you both the duvet etc. Tabs has a sleeping bag so I would pull the duvet up over me, then put her on top.

WLmum · 10/01/2013 12:12

Yep the early morning call here too - I was desperate for sleep so put her next to me where she could comfort suckle and I could doze!

utopian99 · 10/01/2013 12:23

We have Ds in grobag on top of the duvet too... Although he is starting to sleep on his hammock more, hurrah! Had two major sleep stints last night and feeds at 12pm, 4am and 8am, feeling hopeful but probably just a fluke.

We're planning on swapping to reuseables soon now his cord has cord off. Have bumgenius with inserts and little lambs microfibre on the advice of the nappy lady (but bought on ebay..)

FriendofDorothy · 10/01/2013 12:25

We are on wipes now. I just found the cotton wool and water two annoying as the cotton wool seemed to leave bits everywhere!

PrunellaDeVille · 10/01/2013 13:58

having trouble moving onto reusable nappies. they seem to be constantly soaked through though i layer up with microfibre liners and then a disposable thin liner on top and the disposable liner gets stuck to DS's balls. he gets way more upset as he feels wet all the time and i'm constantly changing him to avoid him sitting with a wet bum. i must be missing a trick, how can i continue to use reuseables if they're upsetting LO?
the amount of changes i need to do creates so much washing that i start to wonder about the green credentials too Sad
how is anyone else getting on with them?
btw i have totsbots all-in-one and little lambs

PurplePidjin · 10/01/2013 14:50

I've posted in the fb group, add me if you're fluff-curious and I'll add you to the secret fb group :)

www.fill-your-pants.com/cloth-nappy-trial/nappy-trial.html is a good trial pack.

Prunella, you won't need extra boosters with the tb, just tuck the tongue in and use. If you do put boosters in, put them inside the pocket - there's a fleece layer on top to wick away moisture.

What ll have you got?

We're in totsbot easyfits/ebay cheapie pockets stuffed with prefolds/Realeasy by Hip Hip Baby during the day, then i get 6+ hours from a large Cotton Bottoms prefold overnight (angel fold + nippa in case of poo) with whatever wrap comes to hand. Motherease Rikkis are meant to be the nuts but don't suit us - 3 for sale if anyone wants to try? I like nature babies and gen y so far...

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Cookiesandcoffee · 10/01/2013 15:12

pidj you are a proud baby-wearing hippy guru.. What are your favourite slings/carriers?? I want a wrap for mainly round the house so don't want to pay much.. Was it you who had a Victoria lady?? I've seen one on eBay and thought it looked good.. Can you feed in them?! Nothing is getting done on cluster feeding days and I'm praying for a miracle answer?! that prob doesn't exist