November 2014 - newborn thread!

[Greenstone]

Welcome to all the November 2014 babies! Let all the post partum rejoicing and angst begin...

Kantha - sorry to hear things aren't going well. We are putting on weight but between a 3hrly feed, followed by 60ml topup and then expressing for 20 mins, I'm not getting much sleep. Hoping that once I finish my antibiotics my supply might improve. Otherwise we'll have to look at other options as this is not sustainable. My alarm must have gone off in the middle of the night but I turned it off in my sleep and he woke me 45 minutes later and had a really good feed. Wonder if slightly more demand led might suit better. The 2 straight hours of sleep definitely suited me! Still no cluster feeding and still no rock hard boobs.

With regard to episiotomy pain, I'm 15 days postnatal and the pain is much improved. Stitches have all gone, infection is healed, bruising feels better. Would recommend paracetamol and ibuprofen at regular intervals for the bruising which I found more painful than the stitches themselves. That's what I was given on postnatal and then sent home with to continue for at least a week (up to today). If your stitches are painful it might be worth getting your midwife to have a look as sometimes a tight stitch can be released or you can have an infection. Also lavender on your pads. In other revelations, asda's mat pads are slightly padded so more absorbent than the thin pads from other places, but not as thick as the traditional ones which made my bruising worse esp around the back of the cut when I was sitting. Might be worth a try - I only happened upon them by accident as DP called in at the nearest supermarket when he was working away.

Hang In there everyone.

Gosh we're all having a tough time arent we?

Today my urethral pain isn't so bad - yesterday was shocking. Day 10 of stitches & still really smart when I sit down but I'll get the GP to look at them on Monday when we go in for the 2 wk checkup. Gobbling the Difene & Paracetamol but they seem to make damn all difference, tbh. I can stand it as long as the urethral pain dies down as its so much worse than the stitches.

We cannot believe how alert Baby has become. He's awake a bit more and looking around at everything and its scary! We have absolutely nothing to occupy him visually - we didn't realise he'd be so alert so soon. We're going to have to buy some mobile thing to hang over him for the daytime. What is everyone else getting?

Trying out Ewan the Dream Sheep for the first time today to try to get him to nap - the white noise seems to be really good as he is definately drifting off to it. I'd have offered him my boob by now otherwise - am starting to wonder if he was looking for the boob every hour just cos he wasn't tired & had nothing else in his little head, rather than hunger.

My episiotomy pain really peaked around day 7 when I was convinced it had come apart or was infected (midwife confirmed it hadn't though). I'm day 11 now and it's starting to feel much better.

Is anyone else feeling trapped? Suddenly realised today that I'm too scared to leave the house alone and too much of a rookie with breast feeding to do it in public.

Plus, like a few of the PP my baby seems to have some kind of digestive problem where every feed results in lots of screaming until she farts, poo's or is sick. I'm starting to dread feeding times now :(

My fantasy of being a sociable out and about mum with my baby have been totally dashed. May go mad when DP goes back to work :(

Oh dear, hugs and sympathy to everyone. Belly, can you try just going for a walk? Plop baby in sling or pram and just walk to the end of the road and back. It's amazing how much better it makes you feel just to get out of the house, and that way you can always whip home if you need to. As for public feeding, try a poncho! You can get some really lightweight ones that are comfy even if not very stylish! But it does mean you can chuck it on over clothes, pop your boob out and feed without fiddling about too much. Mine has been a godsend! It's roomy enough that I won't inadvertently expose nip when doing the undressing part, which is my main worry normally.

Hey Belly I know how you feel!

We're at day 19 and I've been out a couple of times now DH is back at work but it is hard, but! we managed and I realised little one might cry at me or I might flash a bit of boob but that wouldn't be so bad.... I wouldn't worry at day 11, my sister was impressed at me getting out on day 15ish on my own (she has two DDs) so it's not just us finding it daunting.

I'm planning on going to a breastfeeding group on Tue to practice feeding with like minded people, there might be something similar near by to you?

My DD has been crying trying to fart today too, not too intensely though so I'm hoping it's just a phase as they say...

bellyrub - know what you mean - we have got out of the house a couple of times on short walks but always timed around feeds. We've found that DD is happy sleeping in the pram so if she's had a good feed, fresh nappy and we get out the door quickly after that we have 2 safe hours at least as long as we can keep the pram moving! But the thought of going out on my own is rather terrifying. I'm planning to visit the baby cafe in town and various NCT things to start with and build up from there.

After two days without visitors or trips out I am feeling much better, the feverish feeling has gone and my nips are starting to heal and feeling less painful between feeds, although they both still have visible cracks. Have been using rugby hold during the day and cradle at night and that seems to be helping.

Got quite a few visitors this weekend which I'm looking forward to, in particular introducing DD to her 3 year old cousin.

Is anyone else getting ridiculous night sweats? I'm waking up completely soaked through my PJs and the sheets but I don't even feel hot! Then I get out of bed and am immediately freezing! On the plus side the weight is falling off me ..

Sounds good twiglet, both the poncho and going out for a walk.

Infact, will go out tomorrow morning I think. Start small and wirk my way up. Planning to go to a breastfeeding support on Monday which will be an outing to somewhere where I won't worry about flopping a boob out! I just can't seem to do it descreetly and get a decent latch. My baby is tiny and my boobs are huge

Belly, definitely try just having a walk outside. A little bit of fresh air does make you feel so much more positive with a tiny baby!

Midwife came round today, I told her that my episiotomy stitches still sting when I have a wee. I was about to say that they're no worse, just not getting better, when DH interrupted to say that actually, I'd been crying with the pain last night, so they must be worse. Good job he was there, as it turns out the wound is gaping a bit, and isn't healing as well as it should be, so I now have a course of antibiotics to take (on top of the two types of painkillers, and iron tablets I've been prescribed).

On the plus side, at five days old, DS hasn't lost any weight, and has actually gained 2.5lbs. That's my boy

moggle and plumfairy sorry to hear you're feeling a bit trapped too.

I'm not sure why I thought it would be easier than this, but I was clearly a bit deluded!!!

But some fresh air would be good if nothing else. I guess it's one of those things, you just need to but the bullet and do it. But yeah, I'm nervous about her screaming with trapped wind too.

Inthink I may have to try and put her pram on an angle like her crib because she really doesn't like lying flat, especially after a feed.

pinkgirly can I ask what painkillers you're taking? And are you Breast feeding? I've got a horrible feeling I'm heading towards a migraine... :(

(Christ alive do I EVER stop moaning!!???)

Yes, I'm breastfeeding, and I have paracetamol and diclofenac. Don't worry about moaning, if there's one time in your life you're allowed a good moan I reckon it's when you've just brought another human into the world!

moggle yes to night sweats! It hadn't occurred to me it was anything to do with having a baby but yes I keep waking up drenched.

belly idea of going out alone with the baby is scary. Not so much the breastfeeding (I've found I've lost my inhibitions and I just don't care) but the thought of negotiating getting her out, sorting out buggy attachment,carrying it up and down stairs etc, without DH to help me. Especially because she's still so unpredictable as to when she gets hungry and needs feeding immediately. And sometimes she gets really upset when she first goes in the buggy. But I think it just has to be done at some point. After the first couple of times I guess it gets easy.

caravella part of me thinks my baby needs to get used to being put different places...

I went out yesterday for the first time - Day 9. We walked the dog. I walked very slowly and was very weak, gripping the pram. Apparently I am still white as a sheet (am still anaemic). Baby slept throughout though.

I would be pretty nervous going out without DH - I suspect it'll be another week.

Today we had visitors & I made the mistake of sitting on my hard kitchen chair for an hour entertaining them. OMG, the PAIN! Had to have a bath afterwards. I had a feel around - still very swollen & stitches evident. The bath eased the pain, though, along with Difene.

Poncho is genius! Going to buy one definately!

Hello, I'm back now things have improved.

After a low on Monday, I protested to Tuesday's midwife about the crazy top up feeding regime we had been put on. She came to see us, agreed DD looked v healthy and needed more time on EBM only top ups (vs EBM and 100ml top ups every 3 hrs). Today we reweighed and she has gained 170g in 4 days. Phew. MWs have discharged us. If she hadn't gained today we were looking at being admitted to the children's hospital. I also had some great support from two local friends who happen to be NCT breastfeeding peer supporters. They really restored my belief in myself which was rock bottom after what some of the MWs had said to me about where I was going 'wrong'. So I would certainly encourage people here to seek expert help if you are struggling.

FTMK - The pumping has definitely upped my supply, keep going with it. We have been told to keep doing 3 pumps a day for now, and I am going to verify that with a lactation consultant that my friend knows from the NCT. We need to be careful not to drop weight, but also aim to move back to not expressing.

Night sweats - normal and I have definitely been having them here. I lost 6lbs in 3 days when they were at their peak 10 days ago .

Going out in public - just do it. Once you have faced the worst that can happen it seems more manageable for next time. I bit the bullet yesterday with my personal big fear: collecting the boys from school and preschool and then walking 3/4 mile home. DS2 can be very awkward after 6 hours at preschool. It all went fairly wrong when DD chose to do a massive poo just as I arrived at preschool and knowing that it was still 50mins before we would realistically get home. I was saved by my friend who gave me her car keys to change DD in the boot whilst shutting DS2 in the front of the car with some flapjack. dS2 then announced he needed a wee whilst I was up to my wrists in poonami. Thankfully he held on until I had done the nappy and released him onto the verge. With first babies it is admittedly very scary getting out and feeding etc. I found that I just had to get on with it and feed DS1 wherever I needed to. He was such a monster feeder that the alternative would have been being trapped at home which isn't good for anyone. Sympathies though. I do understand.

Marking my place.
I am really rubbish at keeping up, sorry.

I am on my own with 4 children as ex works away and went back on Monday.. and it's the teenager causing me the most grief (sigh) with her dramas.

It's been mega tough doing the school runs and feeding every 2 hours on a night but we are at the weekend and everyone has survived. phew.

Anyway, I have skim read and just want to say, don't worry about getting out if you feel too weak to, take small steps and give yourself time to recover. I always write off the first 6 weeks post partum as my head is just so foggy and I am not recovered enough to make logical decisions.

Bellyrub, check out Asda online for nursing tops and dresses

I've been looking at nursing tops during tonight's feed... Here are a few sites that have styles I personally like (not too much empire line)

yummy mummy maternity
gap
h&m

Unfortunately the styles I like tend to be in non cotton mixes which I can't face at the mo, sweaty mess that I am! Think I'll be doing a bit of the two layers to pull one up, one down. Although that'll make me hot too ...

Also - a question for those who've done this before, when does the random head bobbing /butting / shaking on the boob ease off?! It scares me that the moment I decide to shove the nipple in she's going to randomly turn her head or shut her mouth slightly too soon and chomp down in a painful way on my poor old nips...

Oh God moggle, such a good question! DP doesn't understand why I look so nervous sometimes. I demonstrated by putting a drop of milk on his finger and getting her to wave it under her nose. She lunged forward and grabbed it like a little shark smelling blood! DP was a little bug-eyed at her ferocity and now looks much more sympathetic when I go to latch her on

It does calm down dh has christened dd 2 Shark Eyes.

Have yet to go out on my own with dd 2 but I will feel nervous all over again! I remember the sweats I used to get going out with dd1 the first few times. It gets so much easier. I usually wear a nursing camisole and a boyfriend cardigan and a scarf when feeding out, seems to be easiest combo for me..I got a Boob hoodie second hand which is great but they're v pricey.

My lad seems to be becoming more ferocious by the day. He's one of those strong muscly types and his "tiger noises" when he can't latch on this exact second are becoming quite agressive now. Eek!

We had an odd night. He slept yesterday evening from 5pm to 9.30.pm Cue DH & I "Should we wake him?" every five mins. (We didn't in the end).

Then he fed off and on from 9.30-11.30 and slept till 1.3am.

Then he fed from 5.15-5.45 and he's been asleep ever since! He's stirring to wake now but its crazy that he only fed once since 1.30 at 11 days old. He does feed very well when he feeds and does drain the breast like a little Hoover, but honestly I don't know whether to be thankful or worried!

Thanks for the links for nursing tops. Me and my breastfeeding friend intend to go out a fair bit together (safety in numbers!) and at the moment have the same wardrobe!

We've noticed that our 12 day old baby whines in her sleep practically all night. I still think it's the tummy ache bothering her. But is that normal??!

Ooh, I finally found you! I did check here for a postnatal group before but must have missed it in a sleep-deprived haze.
DD2 is 4weeks old tomorrow, which surprises me. It only feels like a week or 2 since she was born.
Having quickly read through the last page, I sympathise with those of you having to do crazy top-up regimes. I had that too. 3hrly feeds, trying to teach her to breastfeed, feeding her expressed milk and/ or formula, expressing more milk for later, washing and sterilising everything took most of the 3 hours, leaving no time for anything else like sleeping or playing with DD1. After a couple of weeks she seemed to have worked out breastfeeding via nipple shields and was putting on weight so I cut down on the top-ups. At 3 weeks she had regained her birth weight and we were finally signed off by very patronising MW. Now I express 1 feed that DH gives her in the middle of the night and that is all.
We have not yet ventured out very far either. We have been to the park, but that is only at the end of our road. We have been to breastfeeding group, but only because DH has driven us and then looked after DD1 while I was there. Otherwise I would to get 2 buses each way with both girls. Have not been anywhere else where I would have to feed her yet, as I can't work out how to discretely feed with the nipple shields. Tomorrow we are going to in-laws, where I will spend most of the time shut away upstairs feeding ( I remember from DD1 that they expect me to breastfeed upstairs away from everyone else) while they complain that they haven't seen enough of her because she was upstairs being fed. MIL will probably ask why DD can't have a bottle so she can feed her!
If I am very lucky DH will be able to take some of his paternity leave next week so we can try taking her out more and do more with sadly neglected DD1.

Why do they expect you to feed upstairs happy? Tell them to naff off. My dh now fully assumes that as we sit down to supper A will get plugged in too..

I remember the night sweats from last time but don't seem to have it or the Demon Thirst as bad this time. Dh used to have to water me like a plant! Milk production seems fine though.

As I'm still in yoga pants due to the c section, I had a massive sort out of clothes and have put away all maternity stuff bar the ones that work for bf. I bought quite a few isabella oliver tops last time round as they're great for bf and stretchy enough to fit normal non pg figures after. Well worth the cost if you plan to have more than one (and buy on ebay.) Am going to have to go into normal jeans etc once I'm out of the yoga pants though - I still have what looks like a bit of a wine belly at the moment!