November 2014 - newborn thread!

[Greenstone]

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

Mine is 3 weeks old today & feeds every 2 hrs during the day. But feeds don't take long as he's a little Dyson. Still though, its very frequent. And tbh he demands it even more often but I stretch it to 2 hrs using a dummy as otherwise I'd be wrecked & he's still gaining weight like a little Sumo Wrestler. I express on occasion so DH can take over from time to time as am very housebound.

The main problem is that he wants to be with me all the time so I'm getting nothing done. He won't really sleep much during the day. We have a virating chair that he'll tolerate for 5 mins but thats it. He might have one long nap in the afternoon for 3 hrs....but he might not.

He's good at night though. Last night he slept from 11pm to 2.30am. Then slept from 3am-6.30am. Then woke again at 8.30am. Then at 9/9.30 he decides its daytime & he wants to get up and look at all the things, lol.

I have to get a new sling pronto to get some independance during the day. We were gifted the Baby Bjorn but it kills my back. What are you all using? I am musing over the Manduca.

The GP basically said she didn't know what was wrong, so we should go to A&E :(
Just feeding her before we go.
I actually work at the hospital so might get to see some colleagues. The GP and I agreed that it is better to sit in A&E for hours to be told she is absolutely fine than to not go if there is the remote possibility she could be very unwell.

Sorry missed your earlier post happy hope you get seen quickly at a&e.

Good on your mil Twiglet - where is your DP going all day when supposedly on leave?!

happy, fingers crossed that everything is ok, and it turns out to be nothing. I agree with you, much better to go to A&E and she's fine, than not go and she isn't.

Hope it went ok at A&E happy and you've been seen!

We're such noob parents, DH just went up to change J and there's no nappies! Luckily had a couple in the change bag!

How are your LO's belly buttons looking? Healed yet? J is 3+1 today and it's just a small scab now, but oozing a bit of red blood - I thought it would have healed by now?

Anna- we've got a stretchy wrap which I've used a few times- she loves it and just goes straight to sleep in it. Used it today to go into town and do a big shop on my own- she was an angel, didn't hear a peep for 2 hrs. I've got a 'hana baby' one but think they are all much of a muchness. I didn't find it too tricky to tie although did practice with a teddy before she arrived!!
We've also got an ergo which we picked up ridiculously cheap but I was originally planning on getting a manduca- was going to borrow one from our sling library before shelling out the dough. DH said he wouldn't wear the wrap which is why we wanted a structured one, although now she's here I reckon he probably would :-)
happy hope you got some reassuring news at the hospital.
ness we are 3wks tomorrow- it looks pretty much like a proper bellybutton with just a couple of tiny dry scab bits.

One month old today here!

We have a Hanna baby one too. A friend leant it to me. DD seems very happy in it. It's good for the school run when I am manhandling a challenging 4yo. Somewhere (loft?/friends?) we have an ellaroo woven wrap that I used with the boys. I bought it when DS1 was 4 months. It can be used for newborns in the same way as a stretchy wrap but it is easier to start with a stretchy one. It's better for older/heavier babies. I wish I knew where the ellaroo was though.

Happy - hope that A&E went well. Much better to get these things checked out properly when they are so small,

Belly button is now healed into normal skin at 4wks. But at 10 days it was looking a bit green and sticky so the GP prescribed a topical anti-biotic which cleared it very quickly.

Yes I think DH wouldn't wear a wrap, tbh. I don't know if I'll get to our local Sling Meet to compare them all, as its only the odd Saturday. May have to buy one sight unseen which is scary!

I went to the GP & have to start a 2nd course of antibiotics to clear up episiotomy infection. But it only mildly stings now, so it's much better. And my bleeding is almost finished, which is brilliant. Now I just have to sort out my hellish Galfer Poos Of Death - which persist even though I haven't even taken Galfer for the last week. I'm going to be swilling the Lactulose.

Baby has been asleep in my arms since 2pm! Bliss! Am afraid to move or put him in cot as he'll wake, lol. Thank God for the Kindle.

Oh btw we had to get an antibiotic cream for bellybutton as it kept oozing blood. Seems to be clearing up now.

A month here too. The days are hard going. Dd2 just screams as default whenever she is not feeding or not in the sling. It's so tiring to listen to. Feel bad for dd1.
She's in the sling now so peace for now but sheesh, remind me when this gets better?! I'm sure the neighbours think I'm being horribly neglectful just going by the screaming!

Belly button just got a bit of dark scabby stuff in it but otherwise looks normal now - DD will be 3 weeks on Thursday.

Today I have been for a walk with DD in sling, taken her to the yard to do pony stuff and been to Tesco to buy nappies as Pampers on offer currently! All on my own. Feeling tired but quite chuffed! DP is up at the new house again laying flooring. I appreciate that he's doing it for us but as we are living in a perfectly fine house already, I do wish he wouldn't spend all day every day up there while he's on leave. Luckily DM is a star and comes over every couple of days to look after DD for an hour or so so that I can have a break. I love her, but I'm doing 24/7 care pretty much on my own and it saves my sanity to have a breather, even if it's just to have a long shower without worrying about leaving her unattended!

I've been using a Moby wrap for DD as she is too small to fit in the structured carrier we've been given. She seems to like it though and watches the world go by quite happily until she drops off in it!

DD is currently feeding for between 3.5-4.5 hours each day. Averaging about 20 minutes each feed (am using the Nursing Log app on iPhone). She has a strong suckle on her though, and seems to be possetting up a little after each feed so I'm wondering if she's not recognising the full tummy signal.

Have been out buying nursing bras today. The shop I had vouchers for didn't have any in stock so I've a couple on order and then we popped to Mothercare to pick up a two pack of basic ones.

Think we're going to show DD off at my work tomorrow. I have a hair appointment booked at the college salon in town (I tend to have single length cuts, I refuse to pay £10-£30 for a few inches to be cut off in a straight line!) so we'll be nearby.

I do want a sling in addition to the carrier but the local sling library is only open once a month. May have to see if DH will take some time off so I can go in a couple of weeks.

Happy - hope that everything has gone well at A&E.

Hi ladies, hoping I can join you all here! Baby Ramona was born in the 8th of November and we're slowly getting used to being her staff

Finally I can join you all over here!
Dd arrived on Friday at 41+6 after a failed induction traumatic few days and emcs due to her being back to back and dilating didn't progress

She is just perfecting every way!

So anyone any tips for recovery after emcs? Everything is agony! I feel awful I couldn't do anything for her first few days and even now I need help with most things

A&E concluded she has cows's milk protein intolerance, which means I have to have a dairy-free diet for at least 4 weeks (one Dr said 4 weeks and then most babies grow out of it, another Dr said I would need to be dairy-free as long as I breastfeed and need dietician advice to wean her and said nothing about growing out of it). No chocolate or cake or cheese or buttery toast or most of the foods we frequently eat. NO CHOCOLATE!! I have no idea what I am going to eat. But there are worse things it could have been. This is uncomfortable for her and massively inconvenient for me but doesn't need a hospital stay or surgery or anything. The diagnosis could also explain how uncomfortable she is after feeds and her terrible skin.

Happy, I'm on a dairy free diet for my baby too. It's not so bad.

Sainsburys have a good range of dairy free treats, well worth checking out. Especially the tiffin and rocky road.

happy my dp is cows milk free too. If you can have it tesco do goats butter and its delish. manchego cheese is from sheep and more like cows cheese than goats cheese is. Swedish glace ice cream is so good you'd never know its dairy free. Now the tricky bits, they put milk powder in everything so watch out, crisps, ham, sweets, bread... check them all. Oreos are dairy free btw, for biccie cravings!

Still having very long feeding times here but they are followed by sleeping baby. DM &Dad came today and mum kept asking if he was still actually feeding. I think she thinks that truly on demand is better than the way she was shown to do it which was no more often than every 4 hours and just ignore cues in between. Got MIL and her sister visiting tomorrow which should be erm, interesting. The breastfeeding group over the road is 1-3 and they're coming about 2 so I'm going to try and catch first bit of that before they come.

excited same story here. Best tips are to get someone to help you stand whenever you can. For the first 4 nights I slept half upright with dd between my legs so I didn't have to lift her far. Keep taking painkillers longer than you think you need to. Don't do too much too soon! dd is 11 days and yesterday we poppes into town for an hour and I was achy when we got back and I've had alot more lochia today. I've huuuge pants that come up over my belly button so nothing rubs my wound. and lastly, poss tmi, those first couple of poos are hard work and take some time, be prepared

Happy- I am glad you got an answer, that must have been very stressful.

He slept for 5 hours this evening and has now been feeding for 45 mins. Think this may be a long night as he slept for so long. He is 5 days old tomorrow so midwife and also a visit from my dad and his partner. Dad is bringing stuff to cook us all lunch .
Wishing you all a bearable night. x

ladydolly thanks for the dairy-free food advice and suggestions. I have no idea whether goats and sheep stuff is ok. There's a lot I don't know and need to find out about this really. I do like manchego though, and am very pleased about Oreos.

bellyrub are you substituting with sheep/ goats milk and cheese? Do you soy milk? What are you eating? We eat a lot of cheese here. Is it helping your baby? Have you been told to do this forever or for 4 weeks?

It's good to know other people are managing this. I told my mum, who basically said I should use formula instead.

Happy - glad you have an answer, and quickly too. It must be a shock for you though

Excited I am now 5 weeks post emcs and the recovery is not to be sniffed at !
Take it slow , i also slept on pillows and propped up and still do at the mo !
Its comfy for me.
Big knickers and mat leggings were my saviour, my tummy is v tender still and a bit numb too.
Get ur partner to help u take off dressing in bath I used some baby oil to get rid of sticky stuff.

Also when u lay down let your wound get some air !
You do feel better every day that passes but if u do to much then it will ache - your body will let you know! I have been out walking a bit now but I always rest in afternoon when dd sleeps - I sleep too.
Oh no carrying anything upstairs for a while too and go slow getting in /out car too .
Take painkillers if you need them - I did at first but mainly at night .
Drink lots too - it will help any swelling to go down ! My legs were like sausages lol