March 2013: Smiles, sleep & excellent feeding.....the thread of wishful thinking!

[SoYo]

Well we may as well start the thread on a positive note before the grumbling about the little darlings begins!!!

SoYo well done on the fancy meal out, that must have felt so good. Hope that LO isn't feeling under the weather anymore and you've managed to get some rest.

Same to you too Leni, definitely sounds like a growth spurt to me.

Eig I hope you're right about the 3 month digestion thing! DH wants to 'sort out DS's gut flora' (his words, not mine. You'd never guess he works in communications with that turn of phrase) so withheld the infacol for a few feeds last week. The aftermath was awful.

Eco I fear my pep talk fell on deaf ears. I did cook her lunch and give her 70cl of polish vodka though (more cupboard space for rum!) but it appears she will not LTB after all. Hate seeing friends make bad decisions.

Worsester I think ten weeks is prime for bottle fed babies. DS has done 7-5 three nights on the bounce. Feels like we're almost there.

STORMY HOW'S YOUR HEAD?

Off to the hairdressers today, and intend to lose a whole five inches. I figure that if it looks shit I won't have time to care, and at least DS won't be able to grab it!

eco yep, it was "Oh my word," I was amazed. Is my constantly exclaiming "Language!" finally having an effect? Shouldn't have been any poo in the face though, I told the man long ago the secret to pulling vests off downwards rather than upwards.

Three hours of patting doesn't make you a moron. It wins you many persistence points! Shame it didn't work though.

pud you don't have to tilt the entire cot, you can just stick pillows under the mattress to get the angle you want.

plonko my head is surprisingly not exploded! Presumably this means I'm still pissed. Which is entirely possible, because pub drinks involved a lot of rum, and one of my friends came back to mine after and we polished off a couple of bottles of wine and were up until four in the morning.

Eig I'm still not sure about the comfort milk. She obviously likes it, and it seems to be helping with naps (a two and a quarter hour one yesterday!), but we're getting a bit of fussiness and high-pitched squeals that sound like pain. Was planning to ring the doctor but it may have to wait until tomorrow, I haven't the brain capacity to talk to a doctor today!

SoYo, Wing, I hope you're both getting some sleep now!

Hello all, a flying visit. I'll catch up with you all later properly but may I ask a quick question?

Does your expressed milk look the same if you do it in the morning or evening? I usually do morning express and in the pot it looks like gold top - really creamy. I expressed last night for the first time and it looks like watery skimmed milk crap. Is this what my poor DD is getting out of me by the end of the day? Is it time for a galactagogue?
Happy days to you all :-)

That could be for various reasons eg the time since you last fed/expressed etc. when I've expressed in the morning, it's been thin and watery fore milk as it's been storing up in there and creamier if she's already had some or it's in the afternoon.

I've read that the more empty your boob before feeding or expressing, the higher the fat content but I can't find the link. There's also the reason for more foremilk because of the size of the fat globule things not being able to pass through the ducts do only the thinner stuff gets through first but again I can't find the link on my phone. Sorry!

I'm currently sitting in a cafe feeding DD. it's really doesn't phase me now I've done it so many times (since week 2 probably). I'm still wondering about her lath though as her mouth seems relatively wide but I can see her bottom lip isn't flanged out. She's obviously getting the milk out bough as it sprays or drips if she comes off half way through and she is producing tons of wet and dirty nappies but I may try to find out if this is normal once you've got bfing established? Ie is the emphasis on wide mouth to latch to get them sorted on how to do it but by now she can do it (almost) how she wants?

That was a shocker of a night. I feel like crap & having another 36hrs on my own makes me want to sob.

Started bedtime at 9.30, got her down at 12.15, up at 1, 1.45, 3, 4.30, 6, 7 & then fed on & off until 9 when DH took her for an hr for me to sleep. As nice as that was its her quietest & easiest time of day so can usually get a bit done but he hadn't changed her nappy, got her dressed, emptied washing machine etc so I've had to cancel my plans for the day so I can play catch up.

She's got her first baby swimming class this afternoon but I'm now dreading it & as still haven't found my swimsuit/sorted bikini line etc.

It's amazing how you can have such a good day one day & the next feel so very shit & useless.

Same here Soyo, DS wanted feeds hourly but still cried afterwards for 30 mins. At the moment he's having BF plus bottles, so my supply is better than ever and i just checked milk was still coming out after about an hour feed - it sprayed across the room!

If every growth spurt is like this we'll both need to be hooked up to a drip

In other news queen wasps have been hibernating in our bathroom and are now waking up and appearing when I'm on the loo... Huge buggers! Pest control called - no way do I want to risk DS with a wasp sting

Sadly Pud the arrival of the cot is not a free pass to escape her majesty's snorty snuffles as there is unfortunately plenty of space in our bedroom for it. A cunning bit of furniture shifting however might allow me to get away with putting it on DH's side of the bed. That's my afternoon sorted then.

Interesting what you say about softer boobs Wing. You could be right as projectile boob still managed to squirt half of DD's breakfast in her eye. Supply can't be that low then

Eig - is there a reason you wake mini-Eig at 3am for a feed? I let the tiddler sleep through, on the basis if she ain't hungry, I'm sleeping. That said she can certainly eat, and I don't think got the memo telling her bf babies take a while to build up to a full bottle. 7floz at the last feed, plus 10 mins on me. She'd have taken more only I shut up shop on the basis pigging out to the point of projectile vomiting wouldn't be a sensible end game.

SoYo - aw sucks, rotten night. Looking on the bright side, if the night is bad usually the day is better, as the little horrors wear themselves out when they stay up partying. You're far from useless though, so forget that thought. Knackered I'd imagine, but not useless!

Blimey Leni you've got to stop him snacking before you lose the will to live. Every hour, that's h*ll. Can't you put him in a sling and take him out? Babies like going out, they sleep, and when they get back they are tired from the effort of it and sleep more. If you can get him to sleep he'll eat less often and you can have a break.

Wors we were out yesterday and he slept happily for about an hour in the pram but then went nuts when we got back, so feels like we just delay the inevitable and it comes back with a vengeance!

I'm worried he'll be obese... 5oz on top of two boobs for a 7 week old, more than once a day?? My milk's really creamy too, so he must be getting some calories there. Just when I thought BFing was sorted

Another green poo this morning, probably because he didn't get all of either boob in his sleepy first night feed. He then woke up at 2am and wanted a massive feed, followed by feeding 4 times between 5am and 10.45am, boobs, bottles, the works.

Finally asleep in the sling now and I imagine gearing up to go through all that again. There's always a lull after the mad mornings, before the mad eves begin.

He doesn't even puke when he pigs out

Hope everyone's day is going well, pest control found a hole in the outer wall leading into our bathroom, so a nice place for wasps and bees to get in. Feel guilty if any bees are killed, not sure it matters for masonry bees, not sure they even make honey or pollinate flowers?

Wors - forgot to say I'm a sucker for beef jerky but the man loves pork scratchings too, whereas i find them a bit yuck (and hairy)

Leni - sounds like he is building himself up ready for a career in rugby. Or perhaps sumo

I'm with you on the scratchings. Food should not have hair. Fact.

Mmm pork scratchings

Leni, your DS is definitely a hungry boy, bless him! I have a bottle refuser on my hands. Which is a PAIN in the bum as DS took his no problem (but he would have been three days old). I thought that giving her one every day for the past three weeks would have made a difference by now but no. And DH is increasingly frustrated and p-ed off by me BFing and him not being to feed her - he said that it was a load of feminist propaganda or something that basically means women are forced to tie ourselves to our babies and no one else can help. I think it is also his feelings of helplessness. I've tried to stretch her feeds out today and we've tried the bottle this morning and then at lunchtime but no real joy. She's obviously tired but hasn't slept for the past hour so DH has just taken her out in the sling - he doesn't see that's one way he can calm her but I guess it's a pain that he has to leave the house and go for a walk to do so so it isn't the same. I should be the one walking as I need to lose weight

I have shad some ideas with him re the bottle eg trying different positions etc but I think he has a short patience anyway so I'm not sure what I can do except to keep suggesting things and him getting more frustrated. I tried to give her the bottle earlier and it worked a teeny bit better but not noticeably and she still only took a few mouthfuls.

Bloody argh. I may trawl some of the other MN posts on this or post a thread myself in the feeding section.

He's starting to get a chin like Harold Bishop - oh dear.

Have resorted to putting him in the pram on the robopax. I've only had a ham sandwich in the last 22 hours so I need to eat!

I also need to lose weight, had a sudden 5 pound loss last week but nothing since.

I'm so tired that I can barely see & miss was rubbing her eyes & then fell asleep on boob but the second I put her down she screamed blue murder & couldn't settle her at all until shoving the boob on again. She's not sucking properly, just comforting but I can't bear to stop & hear that screeching again. To my shame I even shouted at her! I just need some rest & someone here to help me but there's nobody around. Really don't know what to do if I can't settle her to bed tonight.

SoYo I'm online but have nothing useful to say because I cracked early on with the boob. It sounds like you're doing a grand job and that DD might be going through a growth spurt. How old is she now? You're coping so well, to say she won't settle and you're on your own! I really wouldn't feel bad about shouting at her - we've all been there (and those who say otherwise are plain lying!)

Like I said, I can't offer any advice but can hold your hand :) do you have a friend nearby who could pop over and keep you company/make you a cuppa and a sandwich?

Leni the Harold bishop chin is a thing of wonder. Do you just want to gobble his thighs?

Right, the pair of you. Get some food down you and rest. And may I suggest cosleeping until you're out the other side of this?

SoYo i'm here too, and going through similar - sleepy feeds but yelling when removed. Really gets you down you've done so well to stick BFing out - it's such a tough ride.

I totally understand the alone thing - my OH works nights and I did my first 24 hours of sole care when DS was 5 days old. He's at work tonight again. I dread the nights...

You'll get through. You really will, and you can post here - I'll be checking all night because it keeps me sane.

Oh bum. I hate it when my phone gobbles a really long post. I'll attempt to recap.
soyo sounds like you had a shocker of a night. Did baby turn out to be poorly do you think? You mentioned the heat and the calpol. Wonder if you swam? Friends say that totally poops their babies so you may be in for the sleep of your life. You're another 12 hours closer to having some help soyo. No mean feat when faced with what you've been dealing with.
wing we've been thinking of reviewing the swaddle now she's seven weeks. She has seemed hot even though we only swaddle with a sheet. Not keen on sids risk that was mentioned. When do you think you may be tempted to switch to sleeping bag? I was up for it tonight but dh sensibly suggested not on a school night.
wors you've done ten weeks bf! Brilliant! Don't be too sad about drying up. Lo has been very lucky to get boob for so long and think of the benefits! Nicer bras, feeling less like a cow and more like a woman, no leaks, soft squishy boobs that feel nice. This might all help if you really are going to get to work on next baby ;-) the thought still makes me shiver though!
pud we're in same boat as you with not being able to fit cot in our room. Stupidly shared that with health visitor who suggested we move furniture out of our bedroom to make space. Sigh. I had got used to idea of dd in nursery. We disturb her when we come to bed and move around and she sure as hell disturbs me with her zoological repertoire of noises! I've learned to love them though so I'd best learn to love it for a bit longer!

leni I guess lack of puke means the lovely little beast needs all that milk? Impressive! At least you know your efforts aren't wasted.
wing still feeling the bottle refuser pain. Find anything useful out? I tried size three teat yesterday but still no joy. Have tried diff times of day, diff people, diff bottles, diff teats, diff positions, diff degrees of hungryness. You? I'm probably confusing the dear girl.
eig and others, hats off to you for coping with this AND a toddler. Brain can't compute how that works!
plonko does infacol interfere with gut flora? And, what's your Barnet looking like?

ps. Thanks stormy and someone else for pointing out you can take vests DOWN! If I'm not a moron for patting over a Moses basket for three hours I am for not having worked that out! A revelation! Thank you!
Our day's been ok. Decent sleep for dd last night but despite being tired I had an attack of the busy brain so didn't get much myself. The day dawned with no plan so we visited bf counsellor for third time. My right nipple still feels like it's going to fall off. The problem is that dd keeps loosing suction and the suck immediately after is agony. My nip is translucent dead looking and stabby. There were no suggestions about how to remedy this but tongue tie was mentioned again. That's as far as we got because we were ushered out as it was busy. Bum.
We finally discovered how long it takes to walk into the city from our new house. One hour twenty which was fine but didn't have energy for return journey so took the bus.
In theory myself and another nct mum are going to a burlesque cabaret show tomorrow night. This'll be my first evening out. Am feeling trepidation because dd still not taking bottle. The plan is to feed her her bedtime feed and then dash. I'll be back just after ten. She's not needed a feed between 2000 and 0000 for the last five weeks. I've left expressed milk in fridge. And I'm driving to venue and keeping phone on. Aibu to be going? The mummy guilt is omnipresent. :-(

Thanks so much everyone. She fell asleep an hour ago & I put her down in her cot because that's where I was feeding her. She's never slept in there before! I'm now thinking about going to bed because I'm so tired but don't know whether to attempt moving her into my room. Part of my thinks it'd be Sod's law something happening when she's not in my room but I wasn't planning for her to move but the other part thinks I'd be daft to move her when she's asleep given last nights antics. Who does everything make you feel so guilty!!! Ridiculous!

Eco that sounds doable tomorrow night. Don't be surprised though if tomorrow night of all nights is the one when DD does wake while you're out or not go down as normal...

I tried DD sitting facing outwards on my lap earlier. We were all sitting round the dining table having tea and she was perfectly happy and watching DS so I thought I'd try it. It definitely worked better than normal but I don't knowing it was the position or the fact she'd just had 15 mins of boob or the time of day or the fact DS was there

Will keep trying!

Re: the sleeping bag. I don't remember putting DS in one before he went into his cotbed at 11/12 weeks so I doubt I'll do the same again. I think though he slept just tucked in under a sheet and then a cellular blanket on top and his arms would be up by the side of his head. Dd is definitely a flailing arms girl though. I'm not sure there would be enough room in the Moses basket for the material of the sleeping bag but others may have done it?

SoYo I don't know what I can say to help you :( Please do consider cosleeping if it works for you - you need sleep and you getting sleep will help your DD too. {{Hug}} I don't care if it's unmumsnetty

DD's been asleep on me since 7:50 which is relatively early for her. I'm watching the Eurovision semis. Crazy.

SoYo cross posted. If I were you I'd not move her and I'd go to bed NOW!

Just getting into bed. She's still in the nursery. Wish us luck!

SoYo if I were you I'd leave her for now and attempt moving her at a later time. Do you have a baby monitor? (Think I remember the discussion about apps and iPads...) if so use it and get to bed, it sounds like you could do with a rest. Or curl up on the floor next to her at a push. I can understand the temptation to move her, but I do t think there's any need to feel guilty about leaving her, at least not until the next feed/change.

Eco I like my new do, it's so short I can't stop running my hands through it. It's gone from 3 inches below shoulder length to chin so a bit of a change. Strange to go out without DS though. DP once again stuck his foot in his mouth and said I don't look like Plonky anymore (yep, it's my real nickname) so he's going to call me Planky. I might have left the iron on his work shirt just a wee bit too long after that remark.

Your poor nip. I wanted to clutch my chest while reading that bit, it sounds so bad. Did they move you out of there without explaining how to sort tongue tie?
Ooh a night out- let us know how it goes. We're planning Sunday lunch an hour and a quarter away on Sunday.

yesSoYo sleep.

Worcester, Mini eig is still mini and when I give her a bottle will only take 3 to 4 ounces so I want to make sure she is getting enough food ( if she took 7 ounces from a bottle i eould reconsider!) i just give her 10 mins on the boob, don't wake her, she never opens her eyes now, I have probably jinked it for tonight now. Given she had thrush and a bit of a cold the regular fluids are important i thought and for my own piece of mind. Also with my older one we kept waking to feed til 12 weeks as that was his routine and it worked well. When we tried to drop it ( about now) the day time went all array and we hit the 12 week growth spurt which is like the 6 week one and was tough, and he started waking and wanting to start the day at 5 am and I prefer 7am.

I'm just giving DD her feed - I had to wake her after she'd been weeping adorably on me all evening. SoYo, I hope we don't hear from you until morning (because you're sleeping like a log of course)! It may be you sleep so well that you don't hear a lot of your DD's snufflings?

Plonko, your OH deserves the iron applied somewhere else for that remark Call him something annoying in return. Or just ignore him when he calls you plainly if that'll annoy him more. Grr. Like us new mums don't need anything but support right now?

Fingers crossed/prayers/whateverdoesitforyou for good nights ahead...