October 2006

[Bronze]

Am I the first one here or have I completely missed the thread? If this is the only thread please come and join me
Bron

Oh yeah I had a bath with lo last night. He was laying on my tummt and I was pouring water on him gently while he was wriggling about. The next minute he was on my boob feeding Clever little fella. Just thought Id share that with you.

awww cute gingeme, when i was PG loads of ppl told me i'd never b able to have a long soak in the bath ever again, well, i take LO in with me and we spend up to an hour splashing about and she often feeds (and has the odd wee too)

Catgirl: I went with several mums from the NCT group, so not that brave! Also desperate to get out of the house and do something that doesn't involve nappies or washing up . Am planning to go next week - it is the Michael Caine film. Got to be more cheering tha yesterday's one about death, suicide, cancer and abortion...

Gingeme: good luck with the bfing - sounds like you're cracking it. Constant feeding does sound like a growth spurt, so hopefully he's put on some weight.

Ventuyring out to Islington this pm for some shopping - need some clothes to stop lookng like a bag lady . Weighed myself and I'm a stone over my pre-pg weight and don't think it'll vanish soon. I put on 2.5 stone so not too bad.

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mw came today and weighed lo. He still hasnt put any weight on. She reluctantly suggested 3 oz of formula after each feed for a couple of weeks to boost him. She said she was worried because if he caught a cold or infection he would lose more weight and wouldnt be able to fight it off. But on a good note he had his BCG this afternoon and hardly cried at all. Brave little fella.

HI All
Not posted for ages as LO has been on a foodfest for the past 5 days and I had a womb infection so was feeling particularly tired and poorly. LO has been an Angel today. She has hardly slept for past 5 days and last night slept form 9.30pm to 5.20am - sleepy feed and thrn another 3 hours at 8.30 and is sleeping again - HOORAH! Soo needed a good sleep and to get some stuff done as am having visitors tomorrow. My DH is away tonight too and was worrying as he gives me an hour to myself at night, however, am feeling calm, relaxed and serene new mummy as she has been so good - even managed to get a quiet HOT cup of coffee.

GINGEME - my LO didn't put weight on for ages either. I started giving her 1 formula feed at night (my DH does it) of about 2oz and she is doing really well now. Don't beat yourself up. It's scary when they don't put weight on and it made me feel like a failure, however, I find it gives me a little time for me now, which helps me to relax, and also allows my breasts to fill up a bit more.

EMZICKLE - hope you are okay, I am always worried about the stairs too - especially when you are knackered with blurred vision and fuzzy
head!

SWIZZLER - my nipples are sore again now and she is 6 wks. My right one has never been comfortable, however became blanched and cracked again 4 days ago, left one is a bit sore too - think it is due to foodfest over last 5 days. Also at night she is lazy and doesn't open her mouth properly and tries to suck my nipple in

CATGIRL - my LO had a hearing test when she was a day old in the hospital.

My Lo smiled properly for the first time on Tuesday and actually giggled today - it made my heart almost burst with joy! She is so alert now and trying very hard to talk! Gurgling and making funny noises (from both ends!!)

Enjoy your weekends everyone - hope you all get a good sleep.

Rumpel gonna give it another week till I try it. A friend has put me in touch with a bf counciler and shes been incredible help. Shes coming to see me on Tuesday but as far as shes concerned Im doing everythin right so I think hell start to show some progress soon.
Hope your feeling a bit better now and can get lost of rest
Were off to my parents tomm for the weekend.Hope you all have a good one xx

hi everyone -typing with 1 hand so please ignore typos! Re; routine - I'm not sure if we are finding one, Meg feeds about 7.30 - 8 ish, then again at 12 ish, then about 3.30-4.00 ish, then 8 ish, then (like now) we hang out with dummy until 11-11.30 ish, she seems to always wake about 4am, then back to 7.30 etc. ?The 4am feed is a killer - esp as she is horrific at burping, so the whole process takes about an hour! and now dd1 has got a horrid cough/cold so wakes 3-4 times in the night and needs calming!!! dh and I take it in turns to do the 4am feed, so you can get at least on nights sleep, but, he goes away for the week on Sunday so I'll be doing the lot on my own!!!!! better warn people not expect any kind of conversation from me then!!!!!!!!! ~Think i am coming down with it too ... great.

On the blubbing front, all i seem to do these days is cry. at everything. not feelimg depressed as such, but quite down an just so weepy!

On a cheery note, my mum babysat last night and dh took me to cinema last night - saw James bond - YOU ALL HAVE TO GO!!!!! He is just gorgeous!!!! The 'coming out of the sea' scene is rather pleasant ... but then there is another scene where you get to appreciate is efforts in the gym totally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice to get out of the same four walls and get lost in a good film/body(!!!!!!)

Girlygale: I'm hoping Mr Bond will arrive at the mum and baby screenings soon instead of worthy films! Could do with the distraction

Gingeme: well done for sticking to your plan - hope it will work out soon. Glad the bf counsellor managed to help.

Trip out yesterday made me feel so much better, despite continued lack of sleep. I now have a pair of jeans that fit and look nice (not disclosing the size tho!). Would highly recommend Starbucks - felt OK bfing and could change W in the loos. So good to have an afternoon out, even though I got soaked on my way back.

PS: Thanks Marthahm for recommending Loop - I got some gorgeous wool for a blanket.

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I've just had a quick skim I'm afraid. I seem to spend one day trying to wake Edward for feeds and the next trying to get him to sleep after feeds. He is worth it and I'm definitely going to perservere with the breastfeeding - I keep telling myself that bottle fed babies don't always sleep when they need it and they cry too.

Swizzler, you sound in amazingly good shape. And Catgirl, well done for making it as far as the Science Museum. I don't think I'd even venture as far as the Museum of London at the moment.

Gingeme, good luck with the bf counsellor. I had one round on day 5 and she was really helpful. She'll be able to set your mind at rest about weight gain as well. Apparently, some babies go through 'lean' growth spells and then make up for it. Ask her about expressing when you give him formula - your boobs don't know about the formula so they won't make more.

Well done Milliee for thinking to say all of those things to that evil old trout. I'd probably have thought of some of them by the time I got home. And yes, what a dreadful thing to say to a pg woman. Actually I'd add postnatal hormonal woman - or is that just me? I'd probably have started crying.

Sorry for long post - better go now.

morning all

Well lo is a week old to day cant believe it the time is going so fast!!!

Well have given up on the breast feeding was finding it really hard and so was lo ive been crying every nite cuz she just isnt happy with my boobs!!!
Ive managed a week but feel like ive let her down and every one else on here seems to be doing really well with it !!!

youngmum,there is nothing wrong with bottlefeeding,so please dont feel bad.I bottle fed my first 2 dds and they thrived and lots of mums find it really hard to BF,i know i have.
Time is just flying by for me to.LO is 5 and a half wks old now,cant believe it,she is so alert and smily now,im completely besotted
Emzickle i hope you have recovered now.Gingemegd luck with BF conseller,mine reall helped so im sure you will be sorted in no time.
Anyone breaking out in spots yet or losing there hair? im getting a fine crop of spots but luckily my hair has stayed put so far,i remember with my last babies just tons of it blocking up the plug hole!!

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Milliee: also impressed by the quick thinking, I think my brain has permanently shrivelled

I can't believe W is 6 weeks old - battening down the hatches for the next growth spurt. He's a bit smiley and a lot grumpy at the moment

Dogmum: the bfing does get easier, though I'm still feeding W every couple of hours (hope this will space out soon).

Youngmum: The bf thing is v emotive, but in the end it's your decision and any bfing is better than none at all. I guess most of us were formula fed and seem to be fine

Hi All

been a while since last post, had sister down which was pretty good. Lo has just about regained birth weight and I succombed to an evening bottle of formula 2-3oz which I think made the difference.

however let my sis give him 2oz this am (potential slippery slope stuff) and he had terrible gripes/wind a couple of hours later so am thinking will stick with the pm bottle of formula by dh which lets me go to bed and try and get just one wake up.

Whoever asked about bf pain - I think my nips are hardening up so am thinking 3 weeks for things to improve - certainly I remember it being established and pain free from 6 weeks and easy than bottle at that point. However, I think it is important to avoid getting lazy about position as they can get sore again pretty fast.

BF in public - I am more self conscious this time, think it's because I am not surrounded by 5 other NCT pals doing same. Have bought myself some bf tops from Jojo maman which stops it being to draughty and more to the point me exposing my flabby midrif which helps

Anyone else think formula gives baby worse wind/or has an opinion on whether its the bottles (avent) or mixed feeding?

Also - need to buy a booster seat for dd who is 3 and a bit big for her carseat. Any recommendations?

hi every1,

youngmum dont feel bad bout the breastfeeding, I've given up 2, after 5 days, & I felt guilty 2 start with but even doing it 4 1 day is better than not at all! & now I'm bottlefeeding him I feel so much better with things coz I was just so worried the whole time that he was hungry, he just didn't seem 2 take 2 it well once my milk had actually came in, at least I no I tried my hardest though.
All u lot who have stuck with it, well done! Does seem like most people on here r still breastfeeding.

Hope every1 else is ok anyway,

Milliee that woman sounds very odd. Well done on giving her a piece of your mind.

youngmum-don't worry about the feeding. you tried your best.

purpleluce we recently bought a booster seat from mothercare but cannot remember the make! It was recommended on the Which! guide so you can always look on there and see what is the best deal.

DD is still being very helpful with DS. I thought it would have worn off by now, but luckily it hasn't. Was reading an article in the paper today about sperm donors and there was a picture of an egg and sperm. Had to explain to DD what was going on in the picture. Thought I would have a few years before we did the birds and the bees talk!

Gingeme,both of my bf'd babies took 3-4w to regain their birthweight, it's not unusual. Pleae be careful about the supplementing. 3oz is nearly a full feed at this age, and if you give that amount at every feed your production will reduce. It is possible to relactate, I was in your situtaton with ds1 and decided to try to relactate at 6w. I managed to drop half of the bottles, so he was getting 2 1/2 feeds breast and 2 1/2 feeds formula, but he was my first child and I could dedicate my hwhole day to him. It would be much harder for you, were you to want to do that.

I'm sure the bfc will be able to help - son't be afraid to ask for as much help, as many visists as you like.

I have found that the best way to use formula to help me is for me to get ready for bed, then give the baby the last feed and go straight to bed. Dh then gives the baby the formula and then they go to bed too. The result is that baby sleeps longer than s/he would on aN unsatisfying bf, I sleep longer, and therefore I have more milk when baby next wakes to feed, baby has more energy tof eed and feeds well, and so goes back to sleep and we have a better feed next time too. This sets us up wlell for the day, and does not seem to compromise my supply.

I have hired an electric breastpump from Medela.co.uk It's far more efficient and easier to use effectively than my old #Avent Isis manual pump. At first I was getting 1.5oz over three days, but now I get 1-2oz at each pumping, which means that dh can give ds2 the last feed once a week (I don't pump every day, but freeze it) without resorting to formula, plus I boost my supply.

HTH!

Gingeme - good luck with breast feeding helper person - the ones round here are very good.

I am still struggling with sore boobs, but am taking one day at a time - 6 weeks seems to be a milestone, so will see how we are doing next week. Although B is having formula at night time - this seems to be working for us. whenever I have expressed he has woken up and needed feeding straight away, so that was the expressed milk used! And his brother was totally formula feed by this point, and he is fine and dandy, so whoever is feeling guilty about not bf'ing - DON'T - it wasn't for me last time either.

B seems windy from boob or bottle - we are using Avent bottles - but his burps sound 'harsher' after a bottle - if that makes sense? Could be because it is nighttime and all else is quiet that they sound so loud!

Dogmum - good to hear from you - had dh and ds1 with me at Science Museum - although would not have done that trip with ds1. Now that dh is back at work I think I will venture to the local shops today and that will be it!

Hoping to make it out by 10 am tomorrow to baby massage where B can also get weighed - he is getting very chubby cheeks now which are really cute, so am interested to know.

RE meeting up - was in John Lewis Oxford Street yesterday - they are re-furbing the shop and so all the departments are very hot - of course that was on a Sunday, not sure what a week day would be like, but wanted to let you know.

Morning all - thanks for tips on seats have found the reviews and which guide now.

We are supplementing just once at night as pretty candles recommends although I have been doing it through expressing till now.

DH stayed up to give a formula feed at 11pm to help me catch up on sleep but lo still only slept till 3 so and we have had 5-6 hrs out of him from earlier in night so not convinced it is worth dh staying up late?

All would have been fine had dd not woken me up at 5.15 with bad dream about someone having her pencil and paper (!) tears and unable to go back to sleep.......v tired mummy

I think a feed for lo is about 3 oz based on what he will take from a bottle (he is 2.5 weeks) does that fit with other's experiences? Are you about 5wks Gingem? Just wondering how much a full feed is at that stage given that you are thinking of supplementing 2-3oz, presumably you are producing that so are we up to 5/6oz by 6wks then?

I'm finding that, if I get the feeds and sleeps right during the day, ds2 only feeds once between 12ish and 6amish - which is fine! Unfortunately, if i have a busy day, or a stressful day, or don't get the feeds right, we then have a feedathon night, feeding every 2h or even feeds blurring together. And the more tired I get, the poorer the feed as I doze off and don't make the effort to get him positioned properly etc. It becomes a viscious circle.

I've given it a good month, trying to get the bfing established by feeding and expressing, but it's been a struggle, and, as the extra help I've been getting tapers off, I'm going to find my days busier and more stressful. So I'm going to start taking fenugreek today to boost my supply. It's not a big deal, perfectly safe, and I've done it before, but somehow it feels like a big step.

Youngmum don't feel bad about the breast feeding. I only did it for 2 days before giving up. It just wasn't for me. Ignore anyone who passes judgement, you have to do what's best for you and your family and there's absolutely NOTHING wrong with formula feeding.

hi all. just tried to catch up on the thread a bit.

emzickle - i hope that you have recovered from your fall now

im a firm fan of the dummie now too...Anna doesnt seem to like to use it much, but sometimes it calms her (like when nappie changing) which is brill
the baby seems to sleep better at night now too. typically she wakes at around 3 ish and again at 6 (when she normally wakes again), dh has to get up for work, so it doesnt make any difference.

hope that everyone is doing well
christmas soon!

Hi all,LO slept from 10pm-7am,which meant she missed her 11;30 feed,so i woke up to a milk soaked bed,bra and breastpads.Also had the usual feedathon on sunday,for some reason that seems to be the day where i get nothing done and just feed all day,she eats then sleeps for a maximum of 30mins then eats again..if Bf is such a calorie burner then really i should be a twig,but im not..must be all the puddings