November 2012 - In which the babies start to reach their first birthdays

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1845860-November-2012-The-first-fearless-steps-and-the-rest-of-us-hoping-our-babies-remain-stationary-for-a-bit-longer

stunt I missed your post. Poor boy, sounds like he must be in pain. How has he been this morning?

chasing We have just started doing the same. We have quiet time with the lights down and read a book. Then I take C upstairs, give him his final bottle and lay him in his cot. He's still awake at this point but very sleepy. The second he realises he's in his cot though he tries to fight it. It takes around twenty minutes at the moment for him to self settle and go to sleep. Hopefully if we stick to it it will get quicker.

I have been sick in the toilets at work and feel really ill. Don't know if it's stress, a sickness bug or I could be pregnant. Unlikely as my period isn't due yet but not impossible. Lots of people seem to have bugs at the moment so I'm going with that.

Hi det, if you don't like and trust your sil don't let her take him. But I take my 2 non walkers to the park in the double buggy all the time. It is more fun with 2 adults - but it is manageable alone. Mostly I let one of them do something at a time with the other in the buggy - but if there are 2 baby swings that is great and sometimes there is other equipment you can supervise both on together safely. It helps that my dd is too nervous to go down a slide by herself so is easier to watch. G would launch himself off anything though!

Think I've joined the Imelda buggy gang. Shouldn't have gone to kiddicare.

A eyes are going yellow. Which means jaundice. Which means more milk. Think I'm going to have to go e him formula top ups. Physically can't bf any more then I am.

Waiting for FH to come home. Get him to call hospital

GT Don't rush into ff topups unless you want to or you have been advised to do so by a hcp. Jaundice is quite normal up to 10 days old, iirc. LO got it on day 4 and she was already getting ff top ups. It lasted 5 days. I just kept on feeding her bf and ff (I mixed fed from birth if you remember as didn't enjoy bf) and put her out in the sun or by the window as much as I could. If you want to continue ebf then maybe get some advice from a bf counsellor as to what point exactly you would need to give ff? Also ff top-ups at this stage, if you keep expressing, aren't necessarily a death sentence for bf, so don't beat yourself up if you do end up topping up.

GT my DS1 got jaundice too, it's very common so don't worry. When LO was inside you he had extra red blood cells so that he could 'steal' oxygen from your blood supply. Now he doesn't need them they're breaking down. What's the weather like there? As PR says, being out in the daylight will help it to clear faster.

GT My DB was ff and still got jaundice so as others have said there is no need rushing into topups unless advised to.

GT Jonas had jaundice too and was topped up by syringe for the first week as we were wary of introducing a bottle as in the first few weeks the different suckling needed can confuse them and kill off BF (if BF they have to do more work whereas FF is easier as food is poured into them). Park baby in the daylight either outside or in front of a big window to reduce his billirubin levels. Don't be pushed into top ups by a HV (check with your BF support group as there are other ways round it) as you'll need to express the difference and I found expressing tricky to fit in with a newborn - let alone an 11 month old too.

If you want to FF just go for it you know you don't need to defend any decision to the quiche. It's OK to admit BF is too much to fit in xx but if you want to keep going don't let jaundice end it for you - it really needn't.

Should have added to my post above - unless you want to of course.

Arse, bollocks and shittikins.

Waste of hours of effort and have now popped my first xanax in weeks.

Updated on fb.

Fuck sake. Wrote a long ass post and then as I went to copy before posting I lost it. Lol

Jist of it is I have my plan in place. FH calmed me down after my initial panic. Has told me we will speak to mw first. Who is meant to be coming today for first day visit.

So plan is to not use a bottle. A is already preferring one boob over other due to inverted nipple. So I think given choice he would be a nipple refuser. So don't want to chance a bottle just yet.

I need to sort out my "bad boob". I used a shell yesterday and collected about 2 ml. So thinking ill use it every feed and top him up on that rather then formula. Also will express on that side to maintain supply. Which I haven't done yet as I'm exhausted.

Of after trying this , If I have to give formula it will be via syringe.

I'm determined to bf this time for as long as I can. I'm already further then I was last time. My first goal was 1week and I won't quit before then. Ill re assess on Thursday.

In the back of my head I know why I'll eventually stop. Because H will loose out. And in my head that's the only valid reason to quit. However ATM that is not the case. So I'll keep going. Just until Thursday. Then I'll reassess.

Pr just looked at FB. Situations sucks.

Apple so sorry to hear work is so rotten. Any chance you cab get a docs appt for tomorrow when your mum is down? Sounds like a couple of days off may be in order for you in any case.

Sorry things have gone crap for you as well pr.

Gt - you can of course give ff if at any point that feels right to you. But meanwhile you could express sand syringe / bottle the ebm to get more volume in if needed? I know people worry about nipple confusion - but in my experience with dd introducing bottles does not stop bf (though it may mean it takes longer to establish). As long as A gets the milk he needs, you keep your supply up (which expressing his feeds will do) and you keep giving him the opportunity you will get there in time. Don't beat yourself up about it though - just being a mum to H and A is a massive achievement. When g was new I thought things were ok if both were safe, great if they were safe and fed and fantastic if both also had reasonably clean nappies. Anything else was a real bonus. Don't forget to eat yourself too - it's so important.

gt don't worry about the jaundice. Very common in new babies as others have said. WRT to BF if it's what you want to do then stick with it. Good idea not to introduce bottles just now as that can affect your milk supply as A will be slowly building this at every feed. The more milk he removes the more milk is produced, therefore if you feed less and top up then your body will make less and therein starts a vicious circle. There is no reason you cannot feed well on both sides, inverted, flat, sticky out nipples make no difference. It is breastfeeding not nipplefeeding. As long as baby comes in chin first , head tipped back, tongue down and takes a good mouthful of breast tissue in his mouth he will naturally draw out your nipple and feed efficiently. The Breastfeeding network is who I am training with and they have a lot of advice and links to useful info.

GT nothing extra to add to what others have said, other than that you're doing amazingly. I think the plan sounds fine - F was jaundiced for weeeeeks (got admitted for some UV zapping) and was ebf. It cleared eventually, at no point did anyone tell me to give her top ups. She just kept feeding lots, on demand, and got there in the end. She was vair yellow lol. Hope things aren't too sore, or are at least starting to improve?

F had a wonderful day with my mum, they went to one of the baby groups, and a few walks, and F beamed at everyone they met. Only 2 runny nappies, and eating better thank goodness. So back to nursery tomorrow it is. She hasn't had any ranitidine for a few days, but even mum noticed she's been doing lots of squelchy burps, and a few screeches of pain, so have started back up on it again. I long for the day when she doesn't need medication.

Pass glad wee P is better too.

Apple hope you're ok, I would try to pop to the GP if you can just to chat things over with them.

Stunt sorry you had a bad night, hope J cuts those teeth soon, if that's what's causing the probs.

Lily no bright ideas I'm afraid. F went through a period of early waking, a couple of weeks perhaps, but had started self-settling and going through a few more hours again.

This is the first evening in weeks she has gone to bed, without a fight, on time. Miraculous! She was rocked to sleep, and has had to be settled once already, but she's in her cot and I might actually get to go to sleep in the same bed as dh!

Wow I haven't been this down in the dumps for weeks. I was so sure I was on to something.

((hugs)) PR and if that helps xx

det meant to say that we have a connecta which is great as well as the wraps. I still only do the one carry so far with my wrap and still haven't braved him on my back yet!

GT jaundice is completely normal at this stage, his little liver is just learning to work. R prefers my right, think he's just more comfortable. Offer both at each feed, starting on alternate sides - i wear a ring on the middle finger of the side i last fed off.

Today dp walked to work - 1/2 a mile - to the Dr and back - 2 miles - then to my parents where R was because i was working - 3 miles. As well as a full day at work. Then he cooked dinner; pasta plus the sauce i made this morning. Very very proud and relieved Pidjie. I'm now on an adrenaline come down after a (cap)gun incident!

Evening everyone :)

That sounds sweet gt :) have you chosen a name for A now? I think small bf goals sounds sensible, you are doing brilliantly well done :) no advice as I managed one small feed and eight days expressing but it sounds like you're doing really well to me!

bplp how lovely of your mum :)

Bless her eliza if she is poorly I hope it's a fleeting minor bug!

Eek stunt sorry you had a bad night :( hope tonight is much better

How was the new nursery sophia?

Glad p is improving pass bless her hope she's 100% p soon enough :)

I'd probably stay in the room chasing if that's what he is used to? You being there right till he falls asleep? But then, maybe if he knows you're there he might get more upset? I'm not sure, sorry, I know that hasn't helped any! FC he doesn't get upset at all, of course!

apple that takes the royal piss. Hope you manage to sort something but I too would look elsewhere I think

Good stuff pikz!!

pp your dp is a bit of a superman isn't he :) bless him

huge hugs pr

Don't suppose babies can be addicted to calpol? Today I only put e down for one nap to see what happened, and he should've been knackered by bed time but instead was crying. As he had been chewing a lot and drooling and is getting over a cold I gave calpol. He takes it eagerly. Then I put him back and don't hear another peep. It is good stuff but doesn't work that fast!!!

Wonder how vq is! I miss her.

The thesis is in! Yaaaaaaas!

Just said to DH that I bet he didn't imagine celebrating completing by sharing half a bottle of fizz while watching a baby monitor.

pr and more . I have nothing constructive my love.

sorry you had such a shit night stunt Hopefully tonight will be better.

glad P is feeling better pass And glad the Thesis is in - bet you're glad to see the back of that?!

Yay for 6-6 pidj And for chinese :) I haven't had one of those for ages - Sunday takeaway will be that I think!

sorry work are being shit apple :( Do make sure you get another doctors appointment though. Can you POAS yet? It could be stress - it does come out in physical symptoms. hope you are ok ((hugs))

Hope you're feeling better soon pennie

GT Your plan sounds good- as does setting short targets to reach for BF. Jaundice doesn't mean formula, as people have already said - lots of daylight will help and its is so common as to be almost normal in newborns.

Sounds like F is doing much better bplp - thank goodness for that?

((hugs)) PR It must feel a bit like you can't win at the moment. I wish I knew what to do for the best.

well done to VDP Pidj You must be very proud! :) Sounds like he's doing really well.

Might be a placebo effect kyz ?!

I passed my end of course exams! they weren't especially challenging but I'm still counting it as an achievement

I have also now had 3 days in a row where DD1 has been in bed asleep by half 7. This is a very welcome change to half 8. Itis also the 3rd day in a row she has wee'd on the sofa, which is driving me to distraction - took a lot of self control not to become shrieky shouty mum this evening :( I'm not really sure how to handle it, as it seems it could possibly be deliberate.

Late bedtime due to mummy working = 20 minutes of shouty baby. It was fun (love my work) but feeling like 30 pieces of silver instead of £30 all quiet, best try for more sleep now, I'm too used to my 3-minute-nappy-self-settle wakes now

Thank you for all your kind words x
I think I panicked because H has jaundice , he was FF so I know it's not a bf thing. But the mw was very "your lucky he has gained weight (in 1st 3days) as otherwise you'd have to go hospital for light therapy"
Mw didn't come for 1st day visit today. Tomorrow will be our 3rd day at home. So maybe she will visit.

I guess my first thought was he is bf so will have (as expected and normal) lost weight. So mw will send us hospital. The same hospital were i was told to FF with 12 hours of birth or my baby would end up in intensive care! Then they will suggest top ups and how can I justify refusing to FH.

Whereas in reality it was FH who told me to relax.

Anyway. Random thought. Lots of ppl say Jaffa cakes for hospital bag snacks. Is there a reason for this? It's just quite a Radom biscuit that everyone seems to take.

I'm sat in bed having just eaten packet leftover from my bag.

Also anyone who expressed in first few weeks of birth. How much is ok? In shell earlier I collected 10ml during one feed. Then about hour later I collected roughly the same by hand expressing. I know it's not exact and different for everyone. But is their a rough guide to how much expressed milk to offer in the first week?

All I can base it on it H was having 3oz feeds at similar age. So 20ml is tiny in comparison.

Very jealous of those of you with multiple buggies. I still have one. It's a maclaren. But too big.

Apple work places can be very inconsiderate. Expecting flexibility but not offering it. However when your tempted to resign, remember another job may be same. My sil quite work. And started a new job few months later. And is dealing with same issues. Better the devil you know bin some cases anyway. Just don't quit in haste.

Addicted to calpol. I think my mil is addicted to giving calpol! Just so I'm not being silly. Calpol won't fix a runny nose right? She keeps telling me to give h calpol cos of his runny nose. FH told me to just say I have. He doesn't have a temp. No more cough. Just snot.
So Addicted to calpol prob not. However may be holding out for that sweet treat he gets if he cries enough?

Fil goes for his op tomorrow. So trying to keep things calm. Mil is suggesting I go stay with my mum. To reduce visitors to the house. I go on Sunday! I can't wait I'm going to be spoilt.
Also means no 13day celebration. Sry! But I'll try get dressed up one day just so I can share a glamorous picture with u.

Currently have A on my lap. Refuses to sleep else where already he is so different from H! Need to deal with this. But with my bit hurting SO much I can not be bothered to move knowing ill have to pick him up within 2mins. Besides. He is so darn cute.

Have I mentioned my swelling and walking like John Wayne. Agony I tell u! Det totally feel for u!
Any tips on how to sit without wanting to cry are appreciated.

Ok this has become a random rantly txt. Better try and sleep.

Gt - someone suggested to me sitting on a kids inflatable rubber ring. I didn't get round to trying it but it would keep the pressure off while you heal. I also used this - www.nctshop.co.uk/Healing-Herbal-Bath/productinfo/3349/ it stinks but i decided that was the least of my worries - it helped me a lot. Can't believe the mw hasn't been in yet. I would phone in the morning and ask when they are coming - they need to check both you and A. Expressing wise - not sure on exact volumes, but once my milk was in it did build quickly. But dd was in Nicu, and I was in hosp with her using a hospital grade pump. As I knew i was on a pumping marathon I hired a hosp grade pump when we finally got out. It was much much faster and more effective and comfortable than the little hand held one my sister had lent me. But probably overkill for you as my dd had more problems feeding than your A is likely too (as she was prem and has low muscle tone). Might be worth you looking at getting a small electric pump though?

Anyway - big hugs. You are doing brilliantly. Hope you have a great time with your mum. X

Pass - great news on the sofa and on p being a bit better - and f bplp. G has stopped vomming but is still clingy and having poonamis.

No idea re the sofa kirrin. Very frustrating. What is she doing when it happens - and what are you doing? Is it an attention thing? Is it at around the same time / have there been any common triggers?

Hope you are all sleeping well. I had to cancel the dentist last week and am meant to be going tomorrow - but feel a cold coming on. Wondering if I am just being a wimp. Hate the dentist - apart from the check up I just had when i took dd (hence finding i need a filling) i haven't been for years and years.