November 2012 - sleeping through yet?

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1647736-November-2012-losing-sleep-and-losing-weight

Stats list: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/1485512-November-2012-Stats-List

VQ I don't think I noticed much change in the gaps between feeds when I switched to FF. The difference for me was that he was faster, therefore I got more sleep because he was more efficient at feeding. I have no idea if he would have started going longer between feeds, as he has now, if I was still breastfeeding. Possibly he would have done. It is impossible to know!

The 2 differences for me have been that DP can do some feeds, and that he is faster. That is about it.

You have to decide on what point your sanity is questioned! For me, this was very quickly. You have done amazingly well. I am in awe to be honest! To breastfeed a baby exclusively throughout all the shit that has been thrown at you, a DH who has tested your patience, 2 older children who need you, endless vomit, a sick baby... need I say more?! You should be proud! But you should do whatever it is you need to do, if and when you need to do it. Does that make sense!!!! He has been the hardest to feed - you have said that yourself. Remember all babies are different, and each bf experience thus is different. :)

That is what happens when you can't get on the laptop for a few days! I hate taking all your advice on here, and support, and not be able to return it!

:)

Blonder - just wanted to say I think you are doing brilliantly. I also think topping up with formula while you build your supply by expressing sounds like a good intermediary step. A wise lactation consultant once said to me "as long as the baby is fed, you keep your supply up, and you keep giving the baby opportunities at the breast, it will all work itself out". In my case (with dd1) it took 3 months - but we got there and bf for another year so although it was he'll at the time it was worth it for us. Be proud if what you are achieving, keep pumping and try to keep smiling.

Thank you detective what you say makes sense.

It is reassuring to hear of others successfully mix-feeding. I do not want my milk to dry up. I want to continue feeding, just not every bloody hour! I also want DH to share the work too. It seems whenever DS squeaks, he is left to me as he must be hungry. Could be many things, but it is always down to me.

Thank you Bry that is just what I needed to hear.

Well he has had 2 x 3oz bottles of Aptamil following the last 2 bfs and disappointingly he did not say but Mummy this is not your delicious milk, just drank it. There's gratitude for you. VQ he has been more sleepy in between but it could just be his system getting used to it, or the sheer volume of breast+ff.

What I obviously do not want is to be feeding less often as that would be counterproductive so I am going to keep an eye on this. I may not top up the night feeds for this reason and the hassle.

I am using ready made cartons btw. I think I need to make this as easy as possible!

Love the epic post Det and very interesting to hear your perspective on the CS/VB issue.

I think mix feeding can be ideal as long as you watch your supply (unless like me that isn't the priority). Being able to share the workload genuinely does help maintain sanity and ensuresactive participation from both parents. For those that do worry if baby is getting enough they can see for themselves that baby is feeding.

Ooh ready made cartons rock. I was given loads at the hospital and kept them for outings. Impossible to buy them here though - seems only maternity clinics get them. First time round I didn't take enough so persuaded a mw this time to give a few 20 or so extra.

detective that was an epic post lol ds is fab with dots and I appreciate him when he can rock her or amuse her for 10 mins while I go for a wee - I just hate having to nag 20 times a day!!

Anyone concerned with supply issues - try fenugreek capsules - they really work, when we have days when Dottie is feeding constantly and my boobs feel utterly empty I start taking them and the next day I notice an increase though that might also be in response to Dottie sucking me dry but either way I think they work --even though they smell funky!!!

I do love this postnatal club - although we all have our own opinions on childbirth/parenting/feeding etc... And we are all trying to do what we think is right - the support is amazing, no one judges, everyone gives such good advice which is great and often gives a whole new perspective to look at the issue from. And for most of us who haven't got friends who are going through the exact same problems it is such a life line and has certainly made me feel less lonely!!! So big un mumsnet like hugs to you all - we're fab!!!!!

I agree glenda - you ladies have saved my sanity many times .

Had a lovely afternoon with an old uni chum and her fiance. Think M has made her very broody and she left nagging her dp to agree to having one . Oops!

Oh and I'm getting a cuddle from Jonas on Monday!!! Was meant to see him and yw this afternoon but time ran away from me

Tonight is mine and M's first whole night on our own. Wish us luck!

Sorry .

Ok, so I was going to post asking advice about moving up a teat etc, but seems just doing it was the right thing. He took 6oz (offered 7 just incase) in just under 20 minutes. He took it without fuss. He then played for 90 minutes peacefully . Then when I saw his sleepy cues, I settled him with in about 3 minutes (as in completely asleep) and able to put down. Popped him in swinging chair, and he has stayed there. For an hour and a half. Fucking. Hell.

Wish I'd done that a week ago. Gah! I must have been starving him, and pissing him off in the same go!!

In his nap, me and DS have made cakes, and a spag bol together while DP played his stupid game.

Going to buy M a swinging chair. Probs just off ebay in case she hates it my child is difficult to amuse . Any advice on a decent one? One of the yoga mums reckon they helped with her sons colic.

I agree glenda. This group rocks.

Goodness detective no wonder that took 2 hours! Glad you like the name - not sure who's the big pig any more given LO's weight gain/capacity to feed. Left LO with DP (all alone) for an hour today after she'd been fed, as needed to pick dsd up from school - they lasted 30 mins before the screaming began (I did warn him, but as it was his birthday he wanted a "quiet" afternoon so sent me on the school run fool). When I returned LO was wailing with a wobbly bottom lip, he was a bit sweaty, and MIL was frantically rocking her with no success..mummy sorted it all though with her mobile milk bar boobs.

Blonder - am secretly hoping LO will sniff disdainfully at ff, and make gestures which mean "no nothing will do other than your milk mummy" but suspect she will unwittitngly guzzle anything down (cue more hormonal tears).

Have to agree with what everyone else has said above, this thread has saved my bacon in the past few days, it's really nice to know other people are suffering going through the same thing and the advice has been really helpful, so thanks everyone

DH and dsd currently having heated debate about what exactly dh is doing in the toilet (is it a poo daddy? what are you doing? just TELL me). Help!

mm I'm looking at a couple of swingers on eBay - when dots goes nuts the only thing that calms her other than boob is swinging her in the car seat but I'd like to be able to make a brew or get dressed and not have ape arms from weight of carseat

I'm looking at mamas n papas starlite ones - which don't get v good reviews on here but new are about £130 where as on eBay there's 2 with just over a day to go sitting on £8 & £15 so even if they go to £30/40 as long as it swings will do me

Any swing recommendations???

Have also seen been sucked in by another gimmick tummy with mummy seats which look kinda cool - have always thought babies would prefer tummy time if they were higher up and had more to look at lol

Have stonking headache and I feel exhausted today. Going to have a very early night.

Off to the Cotswolds for our 2 night break on Monday. My parents are going to look after the twins. I can't wait for The Big Sleep! Both girls are full of cold, snotty and coughy but both smiling and as happy as anything. Poor little things.

Had hair cut and eyebrows threaded today so I feel part human, not wiped out and knackered like I usually do.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend :)

garden that is so well deserved. Enjoy your break (and your eyebrows).

BPLP I am also a fan of your name and your LO being LP. Brilliant.

November group, it is agreed: we are ace.

LO and I have just had an epic 4 hour sleep on the sofa. I feel like a different person.

I woke up and read all the amazing stuff on here. I seriously don't know what I would do on days like this without this group. You Re are truly amazing and I feel guilty that as a first timer I have no advice and just take from you all.

VQ do not feel guilty you are a Wonder Woman. Horsey, you, dectective, chunky, yw and loads of others that i m having a mind blank sorry have kept me going at rock bottom on here and all told me I can't feel guilty for wanting to feed my son. We have all given up extraordinary amounts and put our bodies on the line for these babies in their few short weeks of life. We have to look after ourselves too.

Cat bag enjoy your break...you deserve it.

i love the mobile milk bar!!! Brilliant!

mm we bought the graco baby delight swing which came today!

Babylaughalot seems to really like it! It has 2 swing settings and number 2 is quite fast, it got us lots of smiles!

Garden that sounds brilliant. Do enjoy your break :)

evil your P needs to realise you/one is a parent from conception to the day you die, no "breaks". Its hard, tiring & difficult, particularly when you are ill, and you can get the occassional time away from the child(ren), BUT THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR WHAT HE SAID. Sorry if that's over-stepping but he was a complete c*$% to say that and needs to grow up & realise you never, ever, EVER, wish anyone dead, let alone someone you claim to love. Poor "baby" Hope things work out well for you lovely.

I hope evil is ok she hasn't posted since lunchtime.

Have just had an ENORMOUS smile, not accompanied by trumps, burps or tummy gurgles. I cried for the 4th time today
All is forgiven!

Still catching up...

blonder sucks that you've got to make that decision. I think I would find it v difficult to ignore their advice despite the knowledge I have about bm/supply etc etc. With DD, I felt they were somehow judging the quality of my milk & wanted a "quick fix" but that was a long way shy of your situation - they were being stupid bastards over cautious. You can always go back I'm sure, as I think hcp often say there's no way back because they don't know enough (& admittedly its a bit harder than not offering any f in the 1st place iyswim).

pikz don't envy your situation. Have always felt expressing is a bit "worst of both worlds" like VQ said. I would go to ff in your shoes.

VQ I haven't had a terrible time of bfing frankly, but even still, I feel like its much, much harder work this time around. However, today he has been going 3hrly & overnight it was back to a 3am ish feed (with the added excitement of vom issues) so it took longer, but at 2mths today, I finally feel like I'm getting to grips with it & can tell hunger from tiredness & don't have my boob out constantly. If ff one bottle or whatever helps, go for it.

Have been feeding for an hr. He keeps coming off himself, then crying. Have tried both boobs, back & forth between them & dummy, which gets spat out. He goes back on, fusses about a bit, headbutts boob, cries. Wtf??!!!!

MM I got the Bright Starts swinging chair, in the Asda baby event over the summer. The same one is in the event coming up, was £38. I looked for some time, and was going to get 2nd hand. All his other toy type things are 2nd hand, but I could not find anything I wanted.

Anyway, he did not like the swing at first, or rather it seemed he just wasn't arsed. Once he started getting pissed off at naps in the moses basket, we experimented again with the swinging chair. He now alternates where he naps, between the car seat, swinging chair and vibrating char and on me .

This one might not last him when he is sitting, it is supposed to have 2 seat positions, but the one that is more upright does not fix for some stupid reason, so it is quite flat. Also the toy bar quite high so he can't reach. But for £38, if we get another 2nd hand one later down the line, I'm not bothered! It does the job now, he likes it, sleeps well in it, and stays in it now when awake, where as he did not at first.

It also has loads of speed settings. The main reason I picked it was because I wanted one that did not have a plastic back - to me, these seem so hard and uncomfy for a newborn. This one is just fabric they are hammocked in to.

Horses for courses, DS1 had a fisher price one that was a plastic chair with fabric covering. His kept him entertained for ages, and I kept it in my bedroom so he could swing while I got ready. It kept him happy for long enough that I showered, did hair and make up! I only got his when he was 4 months though! Wish I had got one much sooner!

I will probably get one like that for Oscar when he is a bit bigger, but will get one off eBay. In the meanwhile, this one is perfect for what I wanted.

This is it, it will be £38 in a few days.

Jesus, who would have thought you could write so much about bloody baby swings .