May 2013 thread our new and not so new arrivals

[BeauticianNotMagician]

Hi ladies

Just thought we could all really do with this. Rather selfish a its mostly for the thousand odd questions I have and things I'd like to share/ vent that no one else would understand.

We've all been together so long I even talk about you all to DP

Re BF:

Oh, I can also add- after my challenging start to BF last time, this time I've been trying desperately to keep on top of any issues from the start. I'm using nipple shields every feed, which I'd love to stop with, but get cracked nipples every time I try, so I'm sticking with them. Loads of Lansinoh. And pumping out the blocked ducts whenever it feels like the pressure's not released after a feed. (Going to have to take on the oversupply issues after the mastitis is well and truly gone).

For anyone with cracked nipples, if it gets too bad, try shields. I have these: www.amazon.co.uk/Medela-Contact-Nipple-Shields-Medium/dp/B001M0VW86/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370986049&sr=8-1&keywords=medela+shields

Last time I was pumping and had oversupply, and I used these on the "wrong" side while pumping or feeding from the other: www.amazon.co.uk/Medela-008-0240-Breastmilk-Collection-Shells/dp/B000WHL2RQ/ref=pd_sim_by_3. I haven't used them much this time, though one day I was really leaking so I did and got 30mls to add to the collection in the freezer, just catching the drips... Good for building up a supply in the freezer for later, if you want to go out and leave LO with someone else over a feed.

scooby 7-8am is a lie-in, DD1 gets up at 5-6 every day.

Off shopping tomorrow to buy more presents for DS birthday, he'll be 5 on Friday. No idea where I'm going to find time to make his cake though!

Is anyone else getting night sweats? I keep waking up drenched!

roast yes! I then end up shivering as I'm wet & cold.
Had an awful nights sleep last night, DP had to rescue me & take LO downstairs. She kept crying and wanting to feed but was really windy & sicky but not actually hungry. She's been really good at nights lately but last night it was as if she didn't know what she wanted x

bunny I know not everyone likes them but could be worth trying a dummy? DD was like that for hours the other night, seemed to want to feed then getting upset as she didnt really want it and sicky as she was full already. I tried a dummy and she was asleep within minutes. We've only used it a couple of times since, she doesn't have it all the while.

Oh that's lovely 10! A is also starting to notice a lot more & be happier on her mat or bouncing chair - she is 5 weeks corrected so they are quite similar! She loves watching her mobile above her crib too, and is really happy & smiley today which is lovely

I also had night sweats for a while, but they seem to have subsided now thankfully.

Seven- I completely agree 7-8 is a lie in!

Nipples still v sore here... Once he's latched on its fine but I dread feeding. He seems to have a very forceful suck! In two minds whether to Switch to FF.... But I admit I have a generally settled boy and worried that would change...

Just taken A to get weighed, at 9 weeks she is now 9lb 10oz - that's 3lb on since she was born, there's no wonder she is almost out of her newborn clothes!!!

Bleauggggghhhhhhhhh ...... Forgot how hard is it being on your own with a newborn and trying to get everything else done ...... Urrrggghhhhh Feel like crap today x

That will be me on Monday, shelley I'm dreading it
several times this week I've broken down in tears after another toddler tantrum at an inappropriate moment (like when I'm feeding N) and thought 'how the hell will I deal with this when its just me?'

Bunny I've been thinking about you and your feeding difficulties. How are things now? Yesterday I reached crisis point. My left side is totally fine but my right breast has a blocked duct and the nipple is beyond sore. The advice for these problems is the opposite of each other and i just felt like I'd hit a brick wall that i couldn't get over. I was dreading feeding on that side but if I didn't then the blockage got worse. I called the bf support worker and she came out and helped with latch technique which I did find useful. Today, it feels like I'm beginning to come through on the other side. The duct has calmed down and latching on is more bearable. Phew. Anyway, just wanted to share that I've struggled too. I don't think there are many people who find bf a breeze, esp in the early days.

Another one wondering how I'll manage tomorrow with older child and new born,....

And we've both got thrush. Great!!

After a v unsettled 2 days ( I think a spurt) and hours of screaming instead of sleeping I gave DS a bottle. Yes I know a sin for BF but he stopped crying... So did it mean he just wanted comfort ie chewing my nipple or hunger and I had no milk left ( feedin been constant and ive never been able to express or leak any milk.. If it wasn't for dribbles round his mouth I'd never know !). I need a degree for this BF lark!

Scooby, sounds v similar to me. I'm not one of these people who can spray milk out or hand express, I've never needed a breast pad. It makes it harder to know if they're getting enough milk I think. I've heard bf babies can fuss on the breast even tho they're full and then if offered a bottle, they'll gulp it back because they're programmed to suck. DS did this and then was sick for the first time so think he didn't really need the bottle. Personally I try anything to stop the crying !!

Good morning everyone ! Got a little question. I have been formula feeding from early on and thought my milk had dried up. Last night while I was feeling N. I started leaking milk. is this normal ? He is 4 weeks old

I've got the opposite problem, I literally have two taps of breast milk and at each feed drown my LO. I'm enjoying breast feeding mostly but am going to talk to the HV about formula as its causing DP & I constant stress. My little one also loves to try and put her fingers in mouth whilst trying to latch on and my breasts are constantly over full so the first 5 mins end up being an absolute battle.

Woohoo when I woke up this morning I had leaking boobs! First time ever and A is 5 weeks and has had formula top ups since three weeks. Really hoping this is a sign if my supply increasing. Have been expressing and drinking lots of New Mama tea so perhaps it's working...? Fingers crossed!

Good luck to those getting used to managing on your own. It is nigh on impossible to get anything else done. When I'm feeding I sit and think of everything I need to do and then spend the next two hours getting frustrated that I don't get them done before the next feed.

bunny you could try to express the first bit off before trying to latch on, or different positions so lo isn't fighting against the gravity working on the milk.
Have you also considered expressing so dp can take a turn at feeding?
I mix fed dc2, she had 1-2 formula bottles a day, and way bf the rest of the time. So I had the ease to feed her when out and about, and DH could take her out without me. (I know you can do this with expressed BM, but I struggled to express enough with dc2)

Does anyone else have a lo who "talks" to the nipple to trigger their letdown?

roast fenugreek (tea or capsules or in food) or oats can help to increase your supply.

Hearing all the stories of struggling to bf bring it all back from last time.
I reckon it wasn't until 5 weeks ish that it all properly fell into place. It no longer hurt, my supply calmed down and I started to enjoy it.
I also mix fed and felt I had the best of both worlds.
If you're going through it now and it was REALLY important to you at the start that you bf (I know some women have a lot of pressure on themselves etc) then my advice is try and keep going for the first month. It does get easier. BUT, you need to give yourself a break. If that means giving a bottle-do it. I don't agree with nipple confusion. Both my DDs have never had it and we're bottle and bf from the start.

This time I haven't had any over supply (probably understandable) and her latch has never hurt. I'm still not confident to bf her exclusively. Besides, she needs the extra calories of formula.

We had lots of crying and throwing up yesterday. I was kicking myself for not contacting the neonatal doctors yesterday. I panic when she doesn't have a full feed let alone miss one or throw up! Think it was aftermath of jabs. Didn't have any issues with first set.

I agree with nofork about giving bf a good month if it's something you really wanted to do. For me also, with DS, everything clicked into place after 4-5 weeks of finding our way with it all and I was glad I'd persevered. It's given me the faith this time that it will work out again & a few weeks down the line it will all be a breeze

Roast your post made me laugh! I feel exactly the same, sitting there feeding and looking at the mess I'm desperate to clear up!

Why exactly does the baby cry when your on the toilet? To they have this 6th sence?

I think to bf or ff is completely down to mums choice. And noone should feel apologetic or be in pain, or struggle. I think bf can come naturally and easily to some mums, and other have to work at it, and some mums ff. And all are right.