October 2014 (including some september early arrivals) the wonderful and crazy newborn days

[fedupofrainydays]

Thread to share the newborn news and support each other through the 'eeek what do I do?' When the baby gets home and you stare at it in the car seat and think - help!!

Captain breast milk is a natural antacid - it sounds as though he is constantly suckling because his throat is sore? Is reflux food related in your family? It might be he'll do this until you cut problem foods and / or get him on antacid meds. Jonas fed constantly until I cut soy and dairy and got him on omeprazole - then he fed every 3-4 hours like a normal baby. Lil is either growth spurting or starting to comfort feed - I was hoping we might get away without meds this time.

Congratulations Granny
As a FTM I don't have any BF advice except you should do whatever works for you and baby. A lot of people seem to mixed feed without problem. HV said I can express any leftover milk for future use. Will hopefully introduce a bottle in a week or so.
Busy day here- signed off by MW who gave us lots of sensible advice. Saw HV for first time, Etta 2oz off birth weight at day 12 so happy with that.
Starting to get mojo back but no chance of nookie until episiotomy stitches heal- ouch. Will make sure DH doesn't feel left out though

captain have a hug. I have days like that but not four weeks. I also think R comfort eats and also yanks me around. Ouch. He also falls asleep and as soon as I move him wakes up wanting more. It's hard going but not constant for me. Just all evening and then every few days all day. No advice really but interested what others say as I may follow the advice too!

I just received my 'Milkies' milk catcher as I feel chucking away soaked breast pads is such a waste. It's a bit awkward but will def be using it for feeds on the sofa at home. Just 'caught' and oz so all means I have to express less for the evening feed.

Congrats Granny!! Well done :)

At the mo, we sleep together as hubby is on pat leave. Saying that, he snores through feeds & it doesn't bother me too much. Once he returns to work I'll be in the spare room with bubba as hubby needs his sleep for work. He will do the late evening feed so I can get some rest. On Fri to Sat we'll come back together and be a family again :)

I still don't have any milk. Am expressing about a tablespoon. I know it's only a few days in but already wondering if it's worth it? It's hard to feed and then express and still have sleep time for me.

Missus sorry if I missed something but why are you expressing? Its a bit early to express to introduce an expressed bottle - unless there's a medical reason I'd ditch the expressing until week 3-4. Too much pumping too soon can create problems with oversupply, over engorgement and fast flow.

Captain sorry you're struggling. I'd suggest posting in the feeding section. Lots of experience there - I've found it invaluable in the past. The first 6 weeks is tough, the first 6 months can be hard. But taking each day as it comes can be a struggle.

The thing is 'normal' for a BF baby has a wide range - certainly none of my three ever went 3-4 hours between feeds even past the newborn stage and we've never had issues with reflux or food intolerances or anything. The timing between feeds is very much a product of 20th century childcare (for any history fans who'd like perspective on it i recommend 'dream babies' by Christine Hardyment - it shows how childcare advice has changed/not changed for the last 200 years. Fascinating.). In cultures where bf is the norm and nipple replacements like dummies or formula feeding are rare, the baby having constant access to the boob is normal (there's a reason why slings are the oldest recorded piece of 'baby kit' - being able to feed while also do things like gather food while feeding a baby was a revolution to Stone age humans!). 'Comfort feeding' is normal and part of the stimulation of baby/boob.

My first was a slow eater - 45 mins or more and then I'd get half an hour off before he'd be rooting again. At 4.5 he is still a leisurely eater. Dd1 was efficient (10 mins each boob) and still is at 2.5. Dd2 has yet to reveal herself though at 2 weeks is more of a boob monster. Which is totally normal (with normal being a range). I've always done both boobs.

Sorry for the ramble but there's no one way a bf baby should be. He/she will have specific needs (and milk changes depending on time of day etc).

Now dd2 needs another feed!

Missus I agree with yellow about expressing. Also how much you express is nothing to do with how much milk your baby gets (the best pump is still not as effective as a baby).

Yellow initially his blood sugar levels were low and he was refusing to latch, so the hospital FF him. I didn't get any colostrum.
Every nurse, MW & even had a private session with the hospital BF specialist tried to look at technique/ offer advice but he sucks a few times, spits out and starts crying.

BF MW said I might be one of those people who doesn't get milk. My boobs never grew so it does happen apparently.

Hospital & local MW advised to FF and express whatever I can (add to FF) but tonight I haven't even got a teaspoons worth.

This is upsetting me.

Just wondering is anyone feeling fine one minute and then nervous and sick the next about the whole thing? Is this a normal early days first time mummy thing?

Missus I'd keep at it for another day. With my first it took a few days to be able to express a teaspoon. It increased dramatically as soon as I'd achieved that so long as I expressed every 3 hours. Yours might just be slow to come in too. Can someone FF baby whilst you express? I used to get pots more that way and it'll save you some time. Once your milk is in it will get lots easier. Jonas was FF for the first 3 days but we managed to BF for 19 months after that, there's no reason to be sad lovey you're doing such an amazing job, and if it doesn't work out hey you've tried your hardest - you can't ask any more of yourself than that xxx

Thanks Yellow! Great advice. Have already asked hubby to FF bubba tonight whilst I express to see if anything happens. After this weekend if it's not working so be it. I tried.

My body temp has suddenly dropped and I have the shivers! We have the heating on and I'm wearing a cardi, slippers and furry blanket. I suspect it's just my body climatic ing to the birth, trying to BF & lack of sleepless nights, but wondering if anyone else has experienced this?

Missus exactly see where things are over the weekend - all you can do is try. I'm sure you didn't mean to type "a lack of sleepless nights"! Anyone having too much sleep is liable to get the stink eye from me, but you don't sound as though you are having too much kip!

Missus you're doing a great job! The shivers are a normal part of milk coming in but keep an eye on your body temp (anything elevated should be checked out).

Anyone?

Hi all I'm new to the group, hope you don't mind me joining. I'm a first time mum, was induced due to little one being over due. So my September baby turned up at on the 3rd of October. I feel for all those new mums, my little one pretty much wants to feed all the time so I'm finding bf quite demanding. I'm having a few weepy days got upset with the OH because he had more sleep than me! I think the sleep deprivation is turning me into a monster!!

Thanks for all the advice and support everyone. I called a bf counsellor and she had a brief but helpful chat with me and is going to call me back tomorrow morning so feeling calmer.

Happy I think that is very normal - people always said to me there were ups and downs but I never expected them to be so short lived and so many in a day! As long as you are returning to feeling fine frequently enough then just assume it's normal baby anxiety/hormones/tiredness etc. but obviously take note of any prolonged down times and do seek help. Have you got a nice health visitor? I know some are next to useless but if you have a nice one then maybe mention to her as there is support out there.

It does get easier by the way - but for me it took a matter of months last time so don't be hard on yourself if you feel like that for some time. So many friends I've spoken to have said how very anxious they felt a lot of the time with their first baby. I'm feeling it now with my second but definitely to a lesser degree. Hang in there and talk to as many people as you can (on here, RL friends and professionals).

Bump - thank you that really helps. Although I have had nerves like this in the past, used to get terribly homesick and stuff but just didn't expect it to be part and parce

Haha!! I'm now delusional!! Certainly not getting too much sleep, although hubbie just sent me to bed now to get a few hours before 11pm feed.

Thanks ladies! Appreciate you all being here for me.

I'll check in later when I'm expressing. Go me!

Xx

and parcel of being a mummy.

Hi smooshie my son arrived on the same day, can't believe he's been here for 3weeks. I am similarly monster like - and can weep at the drop of a hat. I think I need some bf support cos am finding it so painful and he is constantly on the boob. There's a bf drop in session at the sure start but it's at ten am and baby's sleeping habits mean I'm usually awake till 7am so haven't made it yet.

Does anyone else's baby have frequent hiccups? It must be so annoying for him, and it can sometimes mean we have difficulties in settling him. Is there anything I can do to help him?

Hi Rudy
It's certainly tough this bf malarkey but I know I want to keep going. I have some pain initially before my mill flow starts I normally take a deep breath! Lol I initially thought I'd never get the hang of it but now it's more the constant demand! I'd definitely get some support/advice if you can but I appreciate it's difficult when you have a pattern going! We have no pattern yet! Keep at it your doing fantastic!

Captain, re the aggressive nipple yanking I saw a breastfeeding consultant today who said it can be the baby trying to get a better grip on the whole breast so he can get his chin in more of the breast. Mine has been doing it, seems to lurch his head back and then swing it forward...

Happy, I am two weeks in and the past twodays have been hellish. Lack of sleep, stinking cold and horrible moments of stress/anxiety over what is coming next (ie nightime looming) or how to handle the baby crying. I've been quite the sobbing mess. I spoke to my NCT teacher and she said it is quite normal, she cried at the drop of a hat. If it persists/get worse then you have to get help. I've had no appetite for the past few days. Anyway finger's crossed it gets better in the next few days!