February '15 babies - appearing thick and fast!

[GeekyHybrid]

Our first thread on the 'other side'. And may all our soon to be mummies join us in this adventure through the early days of parenthood as we continue to share exciting times.

Welcome newbies!

Congratulations grinning and tweety can't be many people left to have their LO?

Frenetic you're bound to feel like this on days especially if your LO isn't well try not to be so hard on yourself!

I naughtily put my LO to sleep with me last night as his tummy has been bad and he slept for 5 hrs straight uh oh it could be an easy pattern to fall into!

Welcome newbies and hello everyone else. We are still in the hospital! Boresville! I cannot explain how bored of looking at the same 4 walls I am. Cannot wait to get the little lady home!

Feeding away as I type. This girl has it a good latch and feeding on my side is mega relaxing. Though have decided to express for this feed when we get home so I can be comfortable and not fall asleep feeding.

We are having another good night here. which is brill and a massive comparison to Thursday night when she was being a right PITA. Lots of screaming. Not good.

I'm wondering whether it was the curry I ate or the change in milk supply that did it as we had lots of wind and poo and she seemed to be in a lit of discomfort?

Hello newbies, and thanks to grinning and tweety for the stories, long I hope you get home soon. And that it settles for everyone else who's struggling.

With hubby on days off I've been doing night feeds in bed, so much more relaxing for LO and myself and quicker as I don't have to settle him after. He totally passes out on the boob beside me and then just hoist him into his basket I think I'll continue when OH is on lates but even I realise it would be totally unfair when he's on earlies. The joys of shift work
I have left OH to have a lay-in in peace this morning. Did 6 am ish feed and nappy then realised that I was too hungry to go back to sleep so Isaac and I are now watching MoTD OH doesn't like footie but now that I have a boy hopefully I'll have gain an ally!

Morning!

Lancashire hope you get home soon! Me and my hubby were desperate to go home after 2 days. Do you have a private room?

So after 4 feeds we've woken up at 7.30 to leave hubby to sleep. Feeling fairly refreshed and looking forward to spending Sunday with my 2 fav people

geeky my hubby's going back to work on Tues and we'll have to discuss our strategy for night feeds (i bf but he helps picking her up and changing) and sleep schedule. Anyone has a good tip?

Sorry, baby brain. Should have been Lancs I hope you're home soon.
sand my OH went back to work last Saturday and had to do 7 earlies straight. It was tough, LO seemed extra unsettled and we (all 3 of us) survived only because of afternoon naps. Unplug the phone and put a sign on the door as mid afternoon is right when well meaning people decide they'll 'just check on you'. And at least one of them will ask you why you're not sleeping when the baby is!! Duh - cos you just rang / called in etc OK, feelings vented! I'm sure like everything else it just gets easier and we'll find our own ways through

Like sand says, I'm also interested in any tips for when OH goes back to work later this wk. last two nights much better (after 3 horrid ones) but I still rely on him either doing nappies or taking Ben off for an hour or so to let me get some kip. We had 4 hours uninterrupted last night from 12-4 so feeling pretty chipper today! Hope everyone else is surviving too

Oh good timing geeky, thanks! Phone tip sounds a good one....lots of spam calls since Xmas

Urge so first night home and it is welcome to the wonderful world of cluster feeding. Managed tea, a bath, and then feeding solidly from 1-5am. Managed 2hours sleep afterwards until 7. So tired and my nipples hurt so much. He does have a good latch, but my nipples were sore from him nipple sucking on days 1 and 2. Last night's constant feeding has left me in agony. I guess the cluster feeding is to get my milk supply building as it is day4 today. Lots of crying this morning, but only feeling sorry for myself rather than depressed. I figure we ladies are entitled to feel this way after what we have all been through!

Opinions please-
A very good friend has just had her baby at 27 weeks- baby is doing well, but they're taking each day as it comes, obviously

They're in a hospital a long way from home at the moment, but due to be transferred closer hopefully today, and once theyre nearer to home, I'd like to send a card and a little present- just think that all being well, it may be a long time until the baby gets to go home and it doesnt seem fair that their baby's birth doesnt get celebrated like it would if he was full term

Do you think I should send something or wait until theyre home?

Bangles, it might be nice for them to have something while they're spending so much time in hospital? Tricky one, but I hope they continue to get good news.

DH is back at work tomorrow. Terrifying thought, not sure how nights will play out.

Bangles - If they're all stuck in hosp for a while, i think a little something nice wouldn't go amiss. I expect they wldn't have stocked up on tiny baby clothes (unless they were expecting an early one?) so that might be useful or maybe even just something to keep the parents going - sweets and choccies? - along with a nice card. You could always do a more traditional 'welcome home' gift later on too if you decide to.

Bangles I would send a card and a little gift, blanket or something?like a prem hats, our local prem unit cries out for prem hats as they all need at least one.

Frenetic and others whos dh are back to work this week, my advice is try and go for a little walk fresh air has made me feel sane, also I think in the day when dh isn't there you seem to rest more, or feel more rested. I made sure (obv only advice for bottle feeders) is to have all bottles washed night before and formula measured out, this saves time in morning/next day. Also make sure there is something easy for you to grab to eat for lunch I lived off crisps and biscuits a few days as I had nothing preooed and baby just wanted to be held all day

We are going to a nice place for lunch with friends I hope the baby lets me eat with 2 hands, cant exactly take the bouncer with us

Thanks guys- instincts were saying to send something- hats and parent gifts are a great idea

grinning I swear by Lanolin after each feed even if the latch is good.

Thanks geeky and memphis! Will try to combine all of your ideas!

Haha memphis for the bouncer in the restro

Thanks sand. I have been using lansinoh since last night, but that isn't very long to see any difference yet. Midwife came today and also suggested spreading the milk/colostrum around the nipple after a feed and leaving it to dry. She was pleased with our latch.

Lansinoh rocks!
My boy seems permanently attached to me so am slavering the stuff on (even though is a tenner a tube!).
My boiler has packed up so am currently at my in laws house enjoying their heating and food .
Hope everyone else is ok X

Welcome newcomers!

Just to report on last night, after repeating the routine the girls slept from 7-11, fed and settled straight back down then woke together again to feed at 1.30, 4 and then slept till 8am. Our best night so far!! Have tried to do everything the same again tonight!

For sore nipples I used lansinoh and then spent half an hour completely topless as advised by my midwife and it worked a treat!

Well my little miss has been cluster feeding since 5pm. Hopefully she'll be done soon. She was only up twice last night so she's making up for it now.

Tonight the routine seems to be going well. I hope you get another good night tonight.

I also use lansinoh, great stuff. One of the midwife assistants said you can get it on prescription off the gp. I haven't checked that out but I was wondering if it'd be a generic brand and not lansinoh...may be worth checking out though.

Tonight Jealous!
My little man was only 5lb 3 oz at birth and as of Monday he was 6 lb 7 3/4 oz and still feeding loads day and night and the longest he has slept is 3.5 hours the other night.
My MIL is gently suggesting he goes onto bottles as he will sleep longer but I really am in two minds what to do.

BF is so convenient but on the other hand, I'm very trapped by how often he has to be fed.
I don't know what to do, but just musing out loud.

tired my guy only goes 3 and a half/4 hours between feeds on bottles, so it might not make a difference- plus side is at least a handy OH can help out with bottle feeding!

Dropped a pumping session today, feel less exhausted, which is a plus. Also just put LO down swaddled for the first time (he usually wriggles free). So far, so good. Lights out and fingers crossed... X

Wishing a good night's sleep to you all. Currently feeding DS and wishfully hoping to get 3 hour intervals between feeds, but we shall see.

Well just had the biggest screaming session so far, all reflux related which is dreadful as nothing I do helps and I can see how uncomfortable he is.

He did have a massive feed though so hoping he sleeps well.

DP goes back to work tomorrow so was hoping he would be in the spare room so I don't spend the whole night worrying about his lack of sleep.

Hope you all have a good night's sleep!

I got lanisoh at John Lewis for £7 ish rather than the £10 elsewhere. LO has just fed for an hour and a half solid so hopefully he'll sleep for a while now. Good luck everyone, here's to 'reasonable' nights!