August 2015 - Let the Sleepless Nights Commence

[nolongerwaitingfornumber2]

My DC2 was born on 5th August and I'm up in the wee hours feeding away. Anyone else with their August babies care to join me?

I still can't believe he's here and in my arms!

clstow, nolonger, fatty not a great night either . Baby just fed and fed all night - even when not feeding still wanted nipple in mouth - feel chewed to bits this morning!! Hey ho can only get better.

The other DCs are on 'hold the baby' duty today while I get washing on and tidy up. Have a good day everyone - lovely and sunny here today (Scotland)

Oh ladies you are super troopers with all your BF efforts!! I can only admire from the sidelines with my poor non-milky boobs even though I'm sure dd is getting all she needs from formula it still feels a bit failure like not being able to do it myself, so you guys are super awesome for doing it!!

I can't believe dd is going to be 5 weeks this weekend, where has the last month gone?! I feel like I've been in a whirlwind - anyone else feel like this? Plus I'm almost at the magical 6 week mark when apparently everything gets a little easier. Those of you who are mummies already - please tell me this is true!

I think I've recovered from my epic trip into Glasgow City centre, I'm glad I've done it but I certainly won't be doing that on my own anytime soon but feel ok to do it with company. But it really was too long to be out and about, I forget I've had surgery! Plus I'm also back on some mega antibiotics as they're not happy with a little section of my wound

Really hope you've all managed to get some sleep last night and that there is plenty of Daddy-duty happening all round today

Sorry for not replying to all, but my memory is shot trying to remember from the last page I read - aerrghhh I can't wait for baby-brain fog to subside!

mzzzf I'm ff too, you are not a failure, far from it, you are a mum who is doing her best for her baby, how we feed them should be irrelevant (as long as we aren't feeding them ice cream!)

I hope your scar heals soon, I don't know how those of you who had sections manage, I was bad enough after the birth with SPD, never mind recovering from surgery!
As for 6 weeks being magical, it does get easier. Promise. You will find that you get used to the sleep deprivation, and the constant demands, and that baby may be happier to be put down etc. (And then your second just has to put up with being put down sometimes!)

Oh no I was that sleep deprived this morning that I didn't even wake up when dd was crying! !! I only woke up when I rolled into the middle of the bed where dp had put her and he nudged me to make sure i didn't roll onto her. Can't believe i didn't wake up! Imagine if I'd been on my own, she would have gotten into a right state before I heard her.

I didn't even know what I did feeding wise with her last night either. I know i tried the lying down move so I prob fell asleep while she was feeding. At least we both got a bit of sleep though. She was quite hungry about 5 am despite feeding off me so ended up with some formula to settle her. I don't mind mix feeding her as long as it's not interfering with my supply but she'd been chomping on me for ages so it may have just been a comfort thing.

Still can't face bf in public. I just don't want people seeing my boobs however natural it's all meant to be. I've never liked my boobs anyway especially without a bra on so now they are even bigger and saggier I really don't want to be wacking them out in front of people. Muslin cloth is fine once she's on but I can't use it while I get her latched on and with using shields too it makes it double harder. Have a nursing apron thing but also find that quite hard to use and stuffy underneath. Will maybe try it out one day though. I need to get over it.

Ah mzzzf of course your not a failure. Your feeding your and keeping happy and healthy and that's all that matters. As fatty said, unless your putting cola or gin in the bottle it really is irrelevant. ????

There must be something in the air as DS had a terrible night too. Worse than normal. However DH did step up and was much better at helping with the settling. But seemed to think this justified a lie in even though we were both up. Nolonger I feel your pain!!

Dozy don't worry. It's probably because you knew dp was there that you didn't wake up. I've fallen asleep doing lying down breast feeding too. As you say, at least you both got some sleep!

Today we are braving the shops to buy some new nursing bras. The ones am wearing are completely the wrong size and am sure my massive boobs are giving me back ache.

Hope every one has nice restful days to make up for the bad nights.

mzzzzf and fatty as long as babies are fed and contented, that's the main thing - I wish I could unscrew a boob full of milk so DH can feed baby with it just to get a break!

mzzzf I had section too - you do forget then realise you've done too much - hope the scar gets better very soon

dozyhope you manage a 'public' bf soon - I think once you've done it once it does get easier. I was feeding whilst watching DCs at their swimming training and was having a long conversation with the lady sat next to me - she asked if she could hold baby and I said yes, once she has finished feeding - lady hadn't even noticed

Dozy I know exactly how you feel, I thought I hated my boobs before pregnancy, then they just kept getting bigger and now they are like horrible massive udders. What I would give for my pre-preg breasts now... But as Love says, once you've done that first public feed you realise that no one even notices you're feeding, and if they do they certainly aren't looking long enough to judge your boobs. That said there's no need to do it if you're not comfortable - one of the major benefits of mixed feeding

Speaking of boobs, would be interested in nursing bra recommendations kbro, hope the shopping goes well.

Have you tried a dummy Love? DS is a comfort sucker and a dummy has been a nipple saver!

I know what you mean about living in a whirlwind MzzzF, it feels like DS has been here forever but also like he's only just arrived. I'm also looking forward to that 6-week mark although doing my best not to wish time away. Also as the others have said - feeding is the important thing, doesn't matter how you do it so please don't feel guilty.

My brother came over with his OH and their little boy today, so nice to think of the little cousins growing up together. Made me feel a bit weepy in a really lovely way. Hope everyone else has had a good day.

Hi everyone - DS had a really bad night last night too. Grisly and feeding every hour or so. Is there a growth spurt around day 17?! He just feeds and won't sleep at night! Mzzzf don't feel bad for Ff - we are too for various reasons, topped up with some Ebm. DS was doing so well in the moses basket but today just won't settle unless I hold him. it's lovely in the day but sleep becomes quite difficult!! Off now to try and express again. Maybe we might try swaddling again tonight!

nolonger I also have a stiff neck from a shit night of cluster feeding. I'm hoping ds will sleep long enough for me to have a hot bath this evening.

Don't beat yourself up about the
breastfeeding mzzf. The only thing that matters is that dd is fed and loved. I can't believe 5 weeks has past already.
I hope your scar is feeling better today. You need to take it easy. I know how hard that is. I'm feeling really sore Tonight after going for too long a walk today. It was just such a nice day and so lovely to get out of the house.

Thanks for the reassurance that things get better around 6 weeks fatty.

dozy, I could pretty much have written your words about bf in public. I am also huge of nork at the best of times. They are practically comedic at the moment. My friends dd was laughing at me the other day because she thought i was feeding him through my belly. When I explained they were boobs and not belly she refused to believe me because boobs can't be that massive! I know I should be laughing, but it's made me feel like people will stop and stare if I get them out publicly. I've tried latching him on under a scarf and an apron, but I can't see properly and we both get in a tizz. I'm determined to get over it though.

I'm going to try swaddling tonight as well magrat. My friend passed on some swaddle me blankets that Velcro into place. She said they were magic - I'm hoping she's right.

I hope we all have better nights tonight.

Can I join you all please? I have tried to write a post on here several times but have somehow never gotten round to finishing.

Anyway, DS2 was born 8 days ago, 13 days after his EDD, weighing 8lb9. So far, he's more laid back than his brother was at this age (not difficult) and I feel much better than with my first birth as this one was more straightforwards with fewer injuries. Nonetheless, it's still hard going.

Mzzzf, I know it must be tough, but you're doing an amazing job to meet your child's nutritional needs, no matter how you achieve that. As others have said, it's finding the best way to meet their needs that matters, and that varies for each of us.

Dozy, I hope you can manage a public bf soon. I know what you mean, though, about struggling to latch under muslins etc. I really struggled with the discrete approach yesterday as we're having latching problems too. In the end, we found a quiet corner of a cafe and DH sat so nobody could really see until we were attached. Can you think of anywhere that would be quiet and you could sort of hide for a first attempt. Our local childrens library is good, and there are always lots of people feeding in there.

I hope there are lots of babies currently filling up to give us all a few hours rest. DS has been feeding all evening, so I am hoping for a few hours sleep - even two or three would do.

I have been a busy bee today! I took everything out of DS1s bedroom, cleaned it then put it all back, removing any broken or unplayed with toys. 3 bin bags full of rubbish, plus a load of cardboard and larger items! At the same time I was dealing with both the baby and toddler and stopping the toddler and 6 yo from arguing all day. Lion king was my saviour.
Anyways, I was feeling like super woman until I went to go downstairs and slipped, cracking my hip, so have knocked myself out if alignment and SPD is playing up again! I'm back on my crutches.
So DP is doing the night shift and I'm meant to be asleep... Hope you all get some sleep. And remember to take it easy!

Hi all and welcome Equimum!

I'm too weary to do a long update but I found this nice article on feeding in public that I wanted to share. I have a lovely cafe near me which has the bfing welcome sign in its window so did my first feed there knowing that if anything was said the owner would be an ally.
www.thebreastestnews.co.uk/2015/06/public-breastfeeding-tips-for-new-mums.html?m=1

Anyway, there must have been something in the air last night with all those non-sleeping babies! Mine did a 3.5 hour stretch tonight so feel like I've had some sleep.

Equimum, what age gap do you have? I have 2 years and my little girl said earlier "I miss you mummy". A little probing revealed she misses cuddles because the baby is always in my arms (velcro!!). I was nearly in tears! Luckily as it's the weekend I gave DH the baby and played with my toddler for a good chunk of time. It is just so hard to get the balance right.

Fatty, well done on the big clear out. I am very impressed but sorry to hear about your fall and crutches. Feel better soon x

Ha ha turned into a long update after all!

Btw I just wanted to add that I know that link is from a pro - bfing blog and I hope I haven't offended anyone by posting it; just wanted to share the tips she gives. I don't agree that "breast is best" because as others have said, any method that works for your family is the best for your baby. Happy mum = happy baby.

Oh fatty you poor thing! Hope you've not hurt yourself too badly. Hope you manage some rest.

Welcome to the postnatal side equimum.

Frolic hope you managed to get lo to sleep with the swaddle blanket. I found one a friend had gotten me and I'd forgotten about it. Does seem to help settle her though if she wants to sleep.

Nolonger must be tough having a toddler and a newborn. My dp very unhelpfully reminded me that plenty of people manage to get stuff done when they have school runs to do and other children to look after as well as a newborn when I've been struggling just to look after just one. It's true but I didn't need telling. I could have punched him.

Well I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast with this bfing no matter how much time and effort I'm putting into it. Currently been up since 3 feeding for an hour, to then just give her a 90mls top up of fornula and now sat here expressing so that's 3 hours of being awake and dd is asleep next to me. Yesterday evening she again spent all evening suckling and then had 120mls top up formula followed by 60mls ebm a few minutes later. So either she gets absolutely nothing from me and that's why she needs the top ups or she's a mega hungry baby who needs it al . I just don't know why I'm bothering. The thing is I actually enjoy bfing her and I love that only I can do it for her so that's what's keeping me going, but I feel mean if she's clearly not benefitting from it because I'm starving her everytime I try to just bf and not top up. If was seeing an improvement and she was requiring less top ups I'd feel happier but with it being nearly a week now of really trying to establish it and I'm still in the same position I'm not sure what to do.

I can't even just express and give it her that way because I don't get enough. It dwindles off through the day so I end up with only about 50mls after an hour expressing.

Sorry I keep wanting to write nice positive posts but I always end up moaning about the same thing. I'll try to stop mentioning it soon lol.

Dozy, as true as it may be about people coping with multiple children, having your first baby is a unique learning experience. Everything is strange and you just don't know what you are doing. I think first babies often have a bigger physical impact on us too. Also, sorry you are still finding feeding hard going. Have you been to any breast feeding drop-ins? Are you getting plenty of rest, fluid and lots if calories? (Sorry if that's all teaching grandmother to suck eggs).

Wow Fatty, that was an impressive effort! Sorry it ended in so much pain for you, though.

nolonger, my DS1 will be three in December. He hasn't said anything specific yet, but I have noticed he is acruLly asking for hugs etc less an going to DH more than he used to. I have to admit, I feel quite sad and I miss spending lots if time with him. I have some crafty activities planned for when DH goes back to work, so hopefully we'll find new ways to bond an spend time together, which enable we to hold DS2 while giving DD1 lots of attention (but I'm not sure how it'll work).

DH had decided paternity leave is the perfect time to take up our bedroom carpet and renovate the floorboards . Consequently, DH, baby and I are all now sleeping in the living room and any chance of getting some quiet time, away from the toddler, has been destroyed!

Good morning!

Welcome equimum

Oh no fatty. I hope you're in less pain today. I'm super impressed with your sitting efforts. Our house is slowly turning into a bonfire since ds took over.

Thanks for that article nolonger. I will definitely have a look at it later.

Sorry you are still struggling with bf dozy. Please don't be too hard on yourself. Babies just need food and love, how that comes really doesn't matter.
A bit random, but have you tried oats? Apparently they are great for milk supply. I have a fast let down so my midwife advised me to stay away from them. Might be worth a try. A good excuse to tuck into a packet of hob nobs if nothing else.
And don't worry about posting about how you feel on here - we're all here to support each other.

I hope you all managed to get some sleep. We had a horrible few hours with ds in the early hours. He clearly had a big load of trapped wind and was screaming and writhing in agony. Poor little chap, it was horrible. He didn't know what to do with himself. It eventually came out as the longest, loudest fart. Dh and I were laughing and crying with relief when it did.
If anyone has any tips about soothing windy babies they would be very welcome.
My mum made us a gift box of toiletries and I've found some colic drops in there that I can crack open if it happens again.

Dh's granny is visiting today. she's quite frail and elderly and just agreeing to the journey up here is quite a big deal for her. Good morning!

Welcome equimum

Oh no fatty. I hope you're in less pain today. I'm super impressed with your sorting efforts. Our house is slowly turning into a bombsite since ds took over.

Thanks for that article nolonger. I will definitely have a look at it later.

Sorry you are still struggling with bf dozy. Please don't be too hard on yourself. Babies just need food and love, how that comes really doesn't matter.
A bit random, but have you tried oats? Apparently they are great for milk supply. I have a fast let down so my midwife advised me to stay away from them. Might be worth a try. A good excuse to tuck into a packet of hob nobs if nothing else.
And don't worry about posting about how you feel on here - we're all here to support each other.

I hope you all managed to get some sleep. We had a horrible few hours with ds in the early hours. He clearly had a big load of trapped wind and was screaming and writhing in agony. Poor little chap really looked in pain. He didn't know what to do with himself. It eventually came out in the biggest, loudest fart ever. Dh and I were delirious by this point and fell about laughing and crying when we heard it.

I have some colic drops to try if it happens again tonight. If any of you have tips on soothing a windy baby they would be most welcome.

Dh's granny is coming to visit today. She's quite elderly and frail and lives about 2 hours away. It's a big deal for her to even consider the journey. I feel really bad that I would rather just crawl into bed. It's going to be a long day.

Oh god - I forgot to preview - ignore the sleep deprived typo's

Thank you all for being lovely about ff. Logically I know it's totally fine for her to be exclusively ff but these baby hormones are tricksy things, making logic and reason go out the window!!!

Awww fatty your poor pelvis!! That must have been some whack. Take it easy missus but massive kudos to having a clear out. We've just moved so I feel like I want to chuck lots out but it's because we've hardly unpacked so I feel cluttered even though it's not really. One day I'll unpack it all, I'm still living out of my travel bag worth of clothes!!

dozy you're such a trooper. I really hope you get some form of solution to your BF issues as you seem to be going through the mill a bit. Is there anyone around to talk to for help?!

equimum that's crazy!!! Can you look at it like camping?!

Today is out day off, no visitors, no plan etc. just me and DH looking after DD, the dogs and house. So far, so shit. Dd has sleep in fits and starts since she got up this morning at 6.30 - I need her to rack up a few good hours and I want to close my eyes so badly!

Baby boot camp for sleeping away from my chest starts next week, so today needs to be as easy as possible!!

Happy Sunday folks x

Pain has eased now, I took some dihidrocodeine (sp?)
dozy those of us with more than one manage because we have go, if it was up to us we would be lounging around in our jamas all day every day for at least six months

And those with older children, don't worry too much, once you settle into a routine things are easier and you find you can spend more time with the older ones again. And if they are little they won't remember anyway. And if they are older they will understand.

As for wind, once baby is 4 weeks I swear by gripe water, but they spit half of it out (probably because its nasty stuff) my DS usually farts like a trooper after some gripe water.
Obviously this may not work for all babies but its worth a try if they are really struggling.

Hi equimum Lol at your DH thinking his paternity leave was a good time to turn your bedroom upside down - my DH is self-employed but said he would plan time off, then used it to go cycling!!

dozy I think having your first is the hardest because it is all so new and you are learning. When you have another you are much more confident and you soon cope with the school run etc because you have to - men wouldn't be so judgemental if they had to do it. You are giving your baby all your love which is the most important thing - yes they need fed but they won't care where that food comes from - don't be so hard on yourself - you are doing a great job x

clstow never tried a dummy with other DCs - 3 of them are thumb suckers, don't know if this little one will find her thumb too - it does get sore though. My DH put his little finger in her mouth to sooth her and couldn't believe how hard her suck was - he might understand now how I was in such agony for first 2 weeks!

fatty poor you - hope the pain gets better soon - very impressed by your tidying efforts though

frolic have fun with DHs granny - bet she can't wait to see your DS - a special moment

mzzzf hope your day gets better x

My eldest 2 had swim training at 8am - I took them and baby (been up since 5am!) - well, the heat at pool knocked baby out - she slept from 8am-10.30am! I sat in a nice comfy seat, reading Sunday paper and eating a Danish pastry - bliss. Could have shut my eyes too but don't think older DCs would have been too impressed.

A quickie for you ladies who are bottle feeding. When you give the bottle do you babies take it all in one go, or is it drunk in fits and starts over a while?

DD has only once done a bottle in a one-er, she's only 5 weeks so give her 120ml per feed. Mostly she does a third or half, and then 10-20mins later will do a bit more, and repeats this over the course of an hour or so. Is this normal?

mzzzf it all depends on the child. Sounds perfectly normal to me. DS2 is on 7 oz of hungry baby milk and he drinks that within half an hour usually, DD on the other hand was more like yours and would stop and start.

Sometimes DS will have a bottle in one but mostly he sups a little often.

Hi equimum and congrats. Welcome to the thread.

Mzzzf DS has his bottle in one go but he is the greediest baby ever and would probably wolf down a Big Mac if I gave him one. He is always hungry!! He also quite often brings it straight back up so not sure him having in one go is a good thing. I know others whose babies have popped back and forth the way you describe so think is probably perfectly normal.

Clstow bra shopping went ok but nowhere seems to have the big sizes in stock including mothercare (way to make women feel good about themselves mothercare) however I did find a Freya bra that fenwicks had one H cup in stock. It fits really well and is really pretty too. And now have been measured can order online. My back measurement was much smaller than I was wearing now DS is no longer in there. My boobs however are bigger than ever (please god let them shrink a bit post breast feeding)

Dozy sorry to hear feeding is still tough. Do make sure you are looking after yourself too. Sleep for mum is really important. As Nolonger says happy mum = happy baby.

Fatty hope you are feeling ok. That does not sound good. Take care!

We are having a good day today. DS slept a lot better last night. Is amazing what a few hours sleep does for morale. Not sure if it is the reason why he slept better but DH came home with a baby present from his work on Friday. Is a sheep called Ewan that makes the sound of a heart beat to help them settle in cots. We tried it and he slept much better. But of course could be coincidence. Anyway we are going to try it during the day as we are also going to tackle the 'Only sleep on someone's chest' issue so I don't spend every day pinned to the sofa under my baby.

DS seems to be replacing the evening cluster feeding with crying and feeding. He is so unsettled in the evenings. Is tough as he is his most challenging when my energy (and erm patience) are at there lowest. Anyway he has finally dosed off (on my lap, obvs) so we are off to bed. Fingers crossed we all get a good night!