September 2014 Babies leave the newborn stage behind. Thread 2

[SeptemberBabies]

New thread because our initial thread is about to max out.

For babies born around September 2014 - or just before for early arrivals and just after for late arrivals.

I saw my HV yesterday regarding weaning. (DS is 11 weeks). She said she had heard on the grapevine that it sounded like the government were going to change the guidelines from a rigid 6 months to a 4 - 6months band. She personally thought this was more sensible and in keeping with her experience as some babies do need it earlier than others for various reasons. I said that I was half expecting DS to be early as his cousin was very early. She was screaming for food at 16 weeks. The HV said she was find with this, if DS was showing signs of wanting food, but said that not all HV shared her opinion. I did say I wanted to hold off as long as possible due to the guidelines, but I was flexible if DS started really begging.

DS will be 16 weeks around Christmas which will be interesting, especially with so much focus on food at that time of year.

And the pump died at 10 o'clock last night. Which makes my life a pain in the backside this morning. Well... more of a pain in the front.

Red: on No - have you ordered another pump then already?

Regarding weaning, since I heard here about changes in guidelines I did a quick research and everywhere I looked advice was still 6m, I looked at governmental websites and other baby/child health organisations sites in UK and US for latest updates and in 2014 all of them suggest 6m is best; however all have a section for parents who start earlier anyhow regardless of guidelines and have a paragraph of dos and don'ts if starting before 6m; not to be confused with suggesting weaning earlier

All of the guidelines had a list of 3 to 7 things to look for if you choose to wean early...

Not yet. Its debating whether to take back the one I have (which tbh, I'm not sure is a good idea as its the worry of whether that's going to be a hassle or I have more problems with a replacement anyway). Or whether to go for another make. I'm busy reading reviews as we speak. DS has two days supply in the fridge so its just me and ensuring my milk supply that are the pressing issue.

The MN blurb on weaning is worth a read as it does tackle the 4 - 6 month stuff. Its very balanced and informative. (as well as seeming like a whole new drama to learn about)

www.mumsnet.com/babies/weaning

Naz and all those questioning weaning. Ds gastric paed (who is one of the best in Europe and charges 250 for 20mins if you go private) has told us the guidelines change a lot but at around 4months for weaning.

Google isnt the answer to everything somebabies will weab eearly and some babies wont have any Interest in food past 6months. Its all about your baby.

Red - I use the medela mini electric breast pump. I've had two. The first lasted two children and was replaced when I had DC3 but is still going well for DC4.

I don't express every feed all the time like you though. Used a minimum of once a day though, usually twice - for about 6 months at a time.

I also have the avent hand pump but have never got on well with manual pumps. Much prefer being lazy being able to passively pump while reading paper/watching TV

The medela swing looks good. But not sure it is worth the extra compared to the mini. Have you thought about hiring one of those heavy duty duel pumps like they use in hospital?

I've got pumping down to three times a day now which is much more manageable as I can fit it around the daily routine easily. But that does still equate to around 4hours a day. So I'm not entirely surprised the pump has given out as few are designed for such heavy useage. I am looking at the medelas as they get such excellent reviews. DH has suggested buying a duel pump but I'm nervous of them and the price bothers me. I know mothercare do offer the rental, but looking at how long I might need it for, it soon becomes a toss up over whether to just buy it. I'm struggling to decide what the best option is.

Blimey, 4 hours for three pumps is a very long time. The duel pump may have value in terms of time saved. Something to consider alongside cost.

I can generally get 5oz/160ml from one side in about 15 minutes. I still have my old medela, it works it's just the motor is slow so the suction is lower. On occasions when DD hasn't emptied the other boob, I will have both pumps going at the same time and get 50ml or so from the second boob.

So if you could pump from both sides at the same time, you would save yourself tons of time.

Have you thought about the second hand market on ebay? There are loads for sale on there. I've been looking for a new motor section for my old pump, but it seems more cost effective just to buy a whole second hand one rather than just a new motor section.

I'm using a second hand one as a backup at the moment, but I think its seen better days too. The other issue I have with second hand is the health issue of using a system where bodily fluids are concerned. I think the advice is not to buy a second hand one for this reason (I know the person who gave me the pump and know that she used to donate milk so was given a health check for the relevant things). Plus whether I'm going to have similar issues with the pump not being in the best condition and therefore a false economy.

I get the impression reading reviews, that the current pump I have is not the best for suction hence why I think its taking so long. It did seem to work better when I first got it too, so I wonder how long its been to blame.

Red I have a Medela swing ; it is excellent and same makd they had in my hospital- but I only use it once a day and for 10-15 min max-

The hospital ones were really good, excellent suction, robust and dual pump and if you got it from hospital it was around £20 per months - i tried them for around a week ...

When do you plan to switch to formula , if at all, do you know yet?

Could well be why its taking so long. What make is the pump, if you don't mind me asking?

I would definitely recommend the medela mini, mine are brilliant.

With DC2, he spent some time in hospital as a newborn and was tubefed for a short time. The hospital let me use their double pump to get expressed milk and wow! Not only was it super comfortable to use, it was also really quick and mega effective.

Its a tommee tippee. Bought in a panic when DS was 5 days old and I was having problems feeding him. I wish I'd read reviews at the time looking back, but we did run out the house at silly o'clock to get it from Tesco which did limit options too.

Nazly, I'm actively trying not to switch to formula for a while yet. My plan is simply to carry on with the pump indefinitely and maybe mix feed with formula first if I have really have to. I'm keeping up with DS without any issues now and feel happier about his size and weight. The HV was very reassuring yesterday too. The freezer is quite literally half full of milk at the moment, so I have some breathing space too - though it is a small freezer. I was either going to have to start pumping and dumping next week or ease a bit on how much I'm pumping as we need the other half, so it perhaps wasn't the worse time for the pump to give up on me.

Thing is, that even with having to buy multiple pumps, I think it works out cheaper than formula in the end which isn't a terrible motivation to continue. Now I've got this far and have it fitted into a workable routine its better too; I don't feel quite so much like I'm loosing my sanity over it which I have at a couple of low points.

I certainly didn't think I'd make 11 weeks with it and could easily have chucked in the towel. It has been a case of mentally setting myself goals for it on the worst days and I've got through those so far so I'd have to either hit a big brick wall or have another good reason to jack it in. I think at this point, six months does start to look like an achievable and realistic target despite long term expressing generally being regarded as very difficult and not recommended/ supported. Its worked for me so far and I think when it comes to feeding that's what's most important. Everyone's had their own different challenges.

Obviously its not lost on me that early weaning, may well be to my advantage too, but I'd really only do that if I'm very confident DS is really ready for it, as there does seem to be a fair amount of benefit to holding off (again including financially). I'm trying to be as open minded and mindful of DS as possible.

Besides which, I'm an awkward old bugger who doesn't like doing what she's told and stubbornly likes to do things my way.

I feel such an idiot. B's tummy button a bit red plus he hasn't quite been himself since immunisation on tues - lots if jerky movements, a bit grizzly, slight temp, pooing a bit more than normal. Saw doc. My brother has my car and was late to collect me so by the time reached doc I was a wreck. Cried on the doc. B fine may be a bit of a cold. Gave him some calpol. He has slept for an hour here and there today rather than 3 hours at a go like yesterday. Eating fine. Is currently dozing next to me! Has had some time in his bouncy chair and enjoyed watching us put his cot up! Temp down (according to my shit digital thermometer which does change it's mind on a regular basis!) and he has been smiling throughout when not grizzling!

I just feel so stupid for getting so upset and so worked up.

Interestingly, DH out last night and b didn't settle well until his daddy was back - getting him down was a nightmare, in the end I took him ou when I went up and he woke up 2 hrs later at 11pm, he then had cuddles with daddy and went back to his normal feed routine. I was pleased in a way, shows he has bonded with DH!

Sorry for long post. Am just so cross with myself for panicking so much.

Red I had a Medela swing which I got off ebay for £35 and have sold on for £20! It was great :-) I was the problem!

I was given a medela swing and bought one off eBay, so I could pump both sides. And to be honest my milk was very reluctant could only ever manage 1oz and that was from both boobs combined.

Eli has been given antibiotics but we are not to give them unless he struggles to feed. He however has had calpol! And is finally snoozing in my chest. It is not nice when they are poorly!

Red If you're going to carry on pumping intensively for the next few months I can recommend the Ardo Calypso double pump It's really nice to use, super quick and super quiet too. It is slightly pricey but well worth it and 'closed system' so no worries about contamination and you can sell on afterwards. That's my plan anyway!

ella Barney is habing a snoozy afternoon wakes up for a 10 min play and a feed and goes back to sleep!! Health visitor rang me all totally normal post jabs. not that I was stressed or anything!!! xx

Em slept from 11pm till 8am last night and she only woke up then cause I woke her up for a bottle, worried that she had been so long without one which was stupid but seemed a good idea at the time.

I've got my first night out since she was born tomorrow night, DH will be looking after her as I'm going out with the girls, but will still be very strange to be away from her that long.

If I get leaks from nappy three nights in a row could it mean ds has outgrown this size?
Aaaaaaaaagh

Nazly sometimes you need to go up a size at night. Hope you've had some sleep.

I had such a bother with leaking nappies at night, seem to have solved it by going up a size (to a 4!), using pampers baby dry and putting on a bigger vest or leaving the poppers undone.

Ditto, pampers baby dry, went up to a size 3 and stopped leakage!

Anyone else's baby lie in crib chattering, grunting etc from about 5.30? Have started ignoring it cos he isn't crying, is fed, dry and fine :-)

Interesting -thanks girls - off to order size 4 then - I was using 3 for days and 3 dry for nights... I have nearly 100 number 3 left - that is like 12 more days... Hope we can make use of them as I had to give away a couple of no 2 packs

Holls lucky you, grunting changes to screaming and load crying in no time here, so I can't ignore it :(

So DH bought a Lansinoh 2 in 1 Electric Breast Pump last night from Mothercare on his way home from work as he knew I needed a new pump rather swiftly. He thought he was being nice and clever and was helping me. Its rated 4.5 stars on Amazon and 5 on mothercare's site. Plus there was £50 off it. So he thought brilliant, it'll save Red loads of hassle and stress.

Fucking disaster.

My boobs constantly fall out of both sized cups - even if I just use one pump. There is next to no suction and it taken forever to get anything off. I can hand express quicker. I was trying until midnight at which point I was in tears. Then this morning, after waking up hideously engorged because I couldn't get anything off last night, I tried again. Still crap. In fact I tried it up against my broken tommee tippee pump (held together with tape, sounds rough as sin and keeps loosing power) and that was getting more milk off.

So I've been in tears again this morning. DH is on his way back to mothercare right now to try and desperately get our money back as the thing just isn't fit for purpose. At the rate it was pumping, even with both pumps, it would take longer to get 500mls off than with a single broken tommee tippee. I really really hope they are good about it. The machine 'works' but its not actually fit for purpose until you can afford to have it surgically attached to you 24/7. I think in 4hours of trying to use the machine I've managed to get about 200mls off.

I don't know what I'll do if they refuse to refund.

And to cap it off, I've subsequently actually read the reviews on Amazon. Even the 5 star ones are repeatedly saying, "this machine is amazing... but only after the first one broke and I had to get it replaced"! Why would you give a 5 star review to something that you had to have replaced as the first one was so shit?

Not a happy bunny.