November 2014 - newborn thread!

[Greenstone]

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

twiglet mine loved the sling the one time I magaged to try it (think that was day 4). She slept the whole time, but all I could think was... WHY CANT YOU SLEEP IN YOUR CRIB!!!

(I understand why... I'm just tired).

I keep repeating to myself "tiredness won't kill you" and trying to chill out generally about not getting any sleep.

Had the HV today and she was really nice and sensible. I mentioned the late night nappy change hiccups and general disruption and she said if DD doesn't make a fuss about a dirty nappy and does make a fuss about being changed, just leave her because it's more important that we get rest at night. I was expecting her to say that babies shouldn't be allowed to stay in dirty nappies any longer than you can help, but she basically said modern disposable nappies are so absorbent that it won't do her any harm, and if it bothered her she'd let me know. She also said not to worry about hiccups, she will just ride them out (or feeding can make them go away).

I don't know why midwives advise you to change before a feed. When we tried it it just leads to dd screaming her head off and thrashing around on the changing mat making everything take twice as long and ending up with a furious baby (she goes bright red and tear-streaked). Maybe dd handles it particularly badly but surely all babies are grumpy on an empty stomach.

Re the sicking up (which doesn't seem to be much of an issue during the day, only at night), HV suggested if it continues trying to put something underneath the mattress to slightly tilt it so that dad's head is slightly raised above her feet, just in case any of the rest of you ladies are having the same thing.

Anna that's a good tip re feeding upright. I can sort of get her to do it but the angle makes it hard to see what I'm doing re the latch and she tends to nipple bite or bounce off the boob (and then lunge towards it with a frightening tiger noise that makes me think she's going to rip me apart). But there's a baby cafe in our area tomorrow and maybe they can help me get the technique right. It looks like it would be useful for feeding out and about later on.

Am going to try a sling soon too. We've taken her out for walks in the buggy but she tends to get upset (indigestion?) and so DH needs to take her out and carry her over his shoulder till she settles down, so now wondering if she might be happier being carried upright.

He tiger noise! DH says he sounds like a coalminer whos been on the fags, lol.

Mine does the exact same, the first 5 mins are a bit hairy, tbh!

Ds1 spent about 80% time in sling to 20% time in pram for at least the first few months. So far ds2 is staying in the sling and ds1 has shotgun on the pram till I heal.

Was feeling a lot better in terms of the section scar so went for a very gentle walk and lunch all four of us. It was nice but became quite suddenly really painful on the walk home; slightly worried I over did it now. Dh has installed me on the sofa with drugs and instructions to rest - if anything I think he's more worried about me than me..

Hey ladies sorry have been lurking for a few days on here but have finally found few spare mins to post! Congrats on all your little ones - such an amazing but frustrating time.

Our DS1 was born on 6 Nov so 12 days old. No idea where the time has gone - what a hectic couple of weeks with cluster feeding, no sleep, and colic etc. It's reassuring to know it's not just me with the random sleep and feeding patterns. DH goes back to work on Thursday and dreading it!

Just wondered if I can pick your brains - has anyone got any experience / recommendations with slings? Midwife suggested looking into it as not sure how I'm going to get mobile once DH goes back to work as DS is so clingy post feed...TIA x

Oh and bellyrub I've been using water wipes since day one - midwife hasn't said anything. You can buy them from Boots or in bulk from Amazon (saves faffing with cotton wool plus I can't stand the touch of it) We use a muslin as 'bum' cloth to pat dry afterwards just to prevent nappy rash etc. Hope that helps x

Bellyrub, if you want to use wipes but are worried about sensitive skin, Huggies Pure and Johnsons First Touch range are both suitable for newborns and are designed with newborn sensitivity in mind. You could always try a pack and see how you get on?

Hi mamalloyd, congratulations on your LO! Welcome to the thread

Is anyone else feeling a bit odd? I think it's boob related as my bions feel unpleasantly hot and swollen, but am also feeling vaguely feverish - chills, shivery, emotional etc. Bit worried it might be the start of a boob problem!

I feel shit twiglet. Joint pain all over. MW said its normal & to take Difene & Paracetamol.

DS has been feeding (& pooing) every hour this evening. Even feeding fast as he does. I have a bad feeling about tonight!

Twig let could it be mastitis? I had it when I fed my first dc and it made me feel fairly unwell.

My son is nocturnal Sleeps all day happily in his basket then awake/screaming all night unless he's getting cuddles! Lasts till about 3/4am when he will finally settle in his own bed.

Hey mamalloyd welcome!! Not the voice of experience here as also on DC1 but I have a 'stretchy wrap' sling. So far she's only been in it for a couple of hours tho! It's essentially a long (5m) piece of stretchy cotton/bamboo which gets tied around you and baby popped in. so a bit of a hippy vibe which wont appeal to all, but seems a relatively popular choice for around the house use. We've also got an 'Ergo' carrier which is more of a traditional looking carrier with buckles and so forth. DH preferred the look of it and I think it'll last a lot longer than the wrap- to the toddler years. Not actually used this one yet (it was a charity shop bargain!)

Anyway in a roundabout way I'm saying there are quite a few options available and if you can try some out before buying that's the ideal situation. Local NCT groups often have a 'sling meet' which give a chance to try out a few options with some 'experts'. At ours you can borrow from a library of slings for a few weeks to check they really suit you before forking out- there are online libraries around too. Worth looking into if you have a Velcro baby!!

Congratulations on the new arrivals!

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time Kantha, hope it sorts itself out soon x

Bellyrub, definitely use the wipes, the MW in my birthing centre used them rather than cotton wool, which was reassuring.

Feeding and sleeping is still variable for us, we had a great night on Sunday with about six hours sleep total and some nice normal feeds, then last night he wanted feeding for only five minutes again and cuddles before eventually falling asleep. He fed for ages this morning then threw up, I think we got through five changes of clothes this morning with that and endless poos!

We went to register the birth this afternoon, ended up bf in the car park and changing in the mall changing room, both of which were a first - I guess it will feel normal eventually. Then we had a meal out and he slept the entire time, bliss after a long day :o)

However he seems very windy and twists and turns making faces and grunting noises, the HV said it was normal but he looks like he is in pain so I'm wondering whether to use Infacol or gripe water to see if that helps - has anyone used anything like that yet?

Struggling a bit here tonight. Cannot get a good latch on my left side for love nor money. Nipple so sore

Snap Twiglet, I've just had to re latch dd on the left several times. She tends to not open her mouth wide enough. How are you feeling now - the shivery feverish feeling could be the start of mastitis. Any red patches on boob? Expressing in a hot bath and neurofen may help if it's still bad.

Sounds like a good day yesterday bunny kitten

No red patches that I can see, but whole boob is burning after that attempt at feeding. DD has the same problem, she tends to clamp down on just my nipple which is agony. It's left side boob that hurts, wondering if it's just not getting emptied where I have to keep relatching her? Right boob doesn't seem to have the same issue so far.

Could be...take neurofen anyway if you have it, it will reduce any potential inflammation as well as pain. The nipper feeding thing is so hard to sort in the middle of the night...I'm going to try to get out to a breastfeeding group this week to see if I can get some tips. I think babies often do have a 'better ' boob, especially at the start. Dd1 did but was fine a few months in.

Nipper feeding!

Good idea, I might try the same. DD now fretting in her crib and won't settle. Argh!

At what point do you take your baby out of the crib for the night feeds?

Until now I must admit I've been waiting for crying. But my (more experienced) friend said she'll get her baby out when he's stirring and she can hear mouth signs.

So tonight (4.30am) I did that instead and she's still asleep now 20 mins later!!! Feel like such an idiot. I could have gone back to sleep!

I put her back to bed and sge slept for another 2 hours! Can't believe I got away with that with no screaming!!!

Thanks for the tips Moggle will have a look into the NCT groups and see what's available locally - it'd be handy to try some out beforehand

Bunnykitten I've been using infacol since around day 6/7 and it seems to have helped ease the wind with LO (he now has bigger burps rather than lots of little ones!) Definitely worth a try if you can get hold of some

Kantha sending lots of love and Twiglet hope you're feeling better soon

Bellyrub I take LO out of crib just as he starts to cry - sometimes he just has a moan in his sleep and isn't actually awake. Having said that he goes quite quickly into a wail if I'm not quick enough getting him out which then becomes unbearable and makes him harder to settle even post feed. Hope you get some nap time later on today x

Milk is definitely in today (DS 3 days old), and I'm in agony! Have been sore since he was born, both nipples are cracked, and the pain is absolutely toe-curling when he first latches on, but now I have the added 'delight' of a seriously heavy pair of boobs too!
I find that DS seems to find it very hard to stay latched on, especially on the left, although his initial latch appears really good. He's forever slipping off and having to be relatched. I keep mentioning to midwives, but they all say everything 'seems fine' and just keep writing "bf going well" in my notes. The peer supporter phoned earlier and said it sounds like it could be a tongue tie, so will ask MW about that when she comes round later. DS1 was such a sleepy baby at first, and we had real trouble with feeding for weeks (but in a different way), so I want to avoid that again if possible.

pink are you squashing your aereola like a burger and holding it like that throughout? Thats what I have to do as my boobs are so round.

We are having great nights the past two days - baby is sleeping for two/three hourly stretches which is amazing.

But the days are tougher. He's been on the boob every hour today, never seems to not want feeding no matter how long he spends on the boob, and I've had to change every stitch three times as he keeps weeing up his back. The worst thing is having to hold in your own wee whilst he feeds!

bellyrub I pick him up and whack him on boob when he starts moaning and fussing and mouthing & putting his hand in his mouth. The little moaning noises wake me up. I don't wait for crying as DH is back at work & I want him to sleep through the night.

bellyrub my dd starts out grunting and mouth smacking which starts to wake me up. By the time I'm awake she's normally on to the short squawks ('eh, eh' kind of noise) and I put her on the boob straight away. I went to an antenatal class on breastfeeding and they said it was better to get to them before the crying stage because they latch on better and swallow less air if you do. Sometimes it means I get there too soon and she's just making noises in her sleep rather than hungry, but avoiding the crying is good for my sanity too.

pink I found that the period just before and just after the milk came in was the worst and the pain got better the next day (and latch improved) so hang on in there and hopefully it will be the same for you. I know exactly what mean about the first moment of the latch - like being stabbed with needles - but as the breasts got less engorged I found that diminished.