December-the 'Merry Christmas' Babies!

[Calmriver]

Hi Guys, thought I wouldn't betray our months of being together...whats a week amoungst friends!!!

Really glad to hear that Mischa has improved so much & the family is back together, Elibean. It must have been so traumatic, I can't imagine having to face something like that. Talk about it as much as you need to on here, even if real life goes on, it's not something you could forget about quickly (well, I certainly couldn't).
re: nipple shields, I can only feed both sides with them as I have flat nipples (same with ds1, it's one of the reasons I gave up bf at 10 weeks with him). Tried v.hard to do without but once my milk had come in, ds2 just couldn't latch on - nothing there! I hadn't found that they reduced my milk supply, I have more than enough although it seems to take a long time for ds2 to feed (usually 20 mins per side). It was the difference between my carrying on bf or not, so I chose shields. God do I hate them tho, almost impossible to feed without being an octopus or using several large cushions!

How did you manage to stop using them, Jabber? I dread having them for months to come, it's so awkward, I have to remember them everywhere I go, clean them every time (sod sterilising, I've abandoned it this time), and I look so cack-handed in public I'm sure people get a good view of my v.large breasts each time he latches on!

thanks everyone, you're all lovely; I'm happy to say that after a slightly anxious night (bound to be, first one home - every time she coughed/wheezed) Mischa seems very much herself. Including an appetite like a small horse: she fed non-stop all morning, all through lunchtime (luckily I'd defrosted some frozen expressed milk that I'd stockpiled while in hospital) while dh looked after her so I could buy dd1 some new shoes, and then again early afternoon. Now she's slept for 3 hours and so have I - badly needed rest for us both, I think!

Babypowder, good for you for resting up this morning - it really does change the world, a bit of rest/sleep. Glad about the duct, too.

Anyone have any ideas how very tired new parents with raging sore throats can de-bean a bouncy 3 yr old who has recovered from hers, and slept till 9.30am?!?

AQ, you're right, and thank you...just re-read your post. I think dh and I are both recovering a bit from the trauma (I had one particularly scary moment that I still re-live every day) and its making us short-fused with each other. We've also got used to doing things separately - taking it in turns to be with each child, rather than a team or partnership. Its going to take some time...and I'm sure I'll post about it as I go along, it really does help

Hi everyone. This parenthood thing is a right lark, isn't it. DD is sleeping for up to three hours at a time now since HV suggested that she was constantly hungry and we are now topping up with formula. Not really what I wanted, but if it means seeing a baby that is not constantly in distress and can settle for some sleep. It also gives my nipples a break. I knew I was in for cracked and bleeding, but not missing chunks.

Hayley, yes you can definitely combine b/f and formula. I guess the risk is your breast milk will reduce, but I didn't seem to have enough or of good enough quality after lots of blood loss at the birth.

Happy new year to you all and I hope everyone is managing ok. Lots of love to Mardy and Elibean and your little ones.

You're right about parenthood being a lark I looked at dh tonight and said, "Just think, in a few years the boys will be older and this will really get fun." Right now, ds1 is going through the horrible 3's adn ds2 is now not sleeping more than 2 hours at a time at night even though he had been doing at least 3 two weeks ago. I'm hoping it's just the extra feeding for his 6 week growth spurt.

AQ, as far as the nipple shields, I just kept offering the breast without first. Not everytime, but often. After a week or two he seemed more interested, or at least wasn't fighting it so much and I spent a couple of days working more intensely with it. Funny thing is, that nipple is very, very flat normally but after he gets finished nursing and comes off it looks pretty much like the other one It's still harder with that side though. I'm having to go through the toughening up stage now that we're not using the shield and i wonder sometimes if he latches on a bit differently as it seems more sensitive than anything I went through on the other side. He will only latch on in the football/rugby hold on that side whereas we use the cross cradle hold on the other. I don't know when or if I'll ever be able to feed on that side in public as it takes so much maneuvering!

I also tend to feed slightly more often on the other "easy" side adn am going through my second bout of really intense soreness maybe b/c of it. The first time I thought it was mastitis, but it turned out not to be so this time I've just been taking ibuprofen and walking around with a small cold pack in my bra most of the day today

I am longing for the day when all of this is past...

Good Morning All,

And a Happy New Year!

DH and I stayed up to see the new year in even though DS was asleep, after 5oz at 11.30 - sensible people would have made the most of this and gone to bed - not us!

He was up again at 3.30am and had some HB and then again at 6am - he doesnt seem to realise HB formula is designed to make him go longer between feeds . DD has also now awoke with a cough so I gave up on going back to sleep, even though DS seems to have made the adjustment to sleeping after night and early morning feeds, and here I am.

Eli I have no idea how you calm a 3 yr old - should you ever find out please let me know. She's even had night time tixylix before deciding to get up, and that's upposed to help her sleep but no!

As soon as DH gets up I am off back to bed, with or without DS - depending on what time it is and if he needs to feed. DH can hardly complain as I have already sterilsed the bottles and washed up - and am off to make them up in a mo!

happy new year everyone! xx

i didnt see the new year in, df did though, he stayed up with charlie til 1.30am and then charlie woke up at 6.30am to BF , then he wouldnt settle so i got up at 7.30am!

Feelin v tired now!

kids are still in bed so is df.

thanks for advice about BF and formula...i think the milk will reduce, but i have carried on expressin when he has a bottle so i dont lose milk supply..

Hey everyone, Happy New Year! Dh went to a party (with my blessing) from 9 - 10, then came home to go to bed. I watched the ball drop on Times Square at 11 our time, convinced myself that was close enough and got one last post in while feeding ds2

HW, very of you getting a 5 hour stretch of sleep. Ds2 went almost 3 hours this time so am hoping he will start to go longer.

Ds2 is slightly congested so have been putting in saline nose drops which he tolerates surpeisingly well. Since we're still co-sleeping {sigh) I put him on one of those positiong pads and elevated it slightly. It worked great until he worked his head off of one side

I'm trying putting him down with a t-shirt that I've worn. He did seem to settle faster so will keep on with that for a while. Also giving the gripewater when he goes down first thing at night. That seems to be his fussiest time.

thx 4 advice re shields jabber, have mngd without this am! feel v plsd...need bf counsellor advice on positioning and holds methinks
tried blankets under carrycot mattress, swaddling, gripe water and darker room & ds2 settled much much better so 1 of them works! swaddling, i think...also read advice on keeping them up a bit more after feed (so feed/play/sleep) and that's making him nap longer during daytime.
happy ny!!!

Hooray AQ! Our night was slightly better, too. Maybe we'll survive this after all

Have also discovered that I probably need to go back to feeding from both sides every time. I wasn't the last couple of weeks or so as he seemed satisfied after one side but maybe I'm not getting him full enough, hence some of the shorter sleep periods we were getting?

Had to come and share this with you as laughing in RL would be frowned upon right now. DH bought several new tops at the NEXT sale, and everytime he wears one and then holds DS - he gets chucked up on ha ha ha And not little spits either - but rather projected lots that go everywhere - at speed!

I dont think Dylan likes NEXT - shame really as DH managed to get him a load of cool tops too

ROFL!

lmao ..my df has just brought tops in next aswell..but not yet puked on LOL

Eli, so pleased to hear about Mischa. You've both been very much in my thoughts.
Mardy, big hugs & hope it is good news about your LO.

DD2 managing not to puke up every feed on the gaviscon but still very unsettled - alternate evenings or nights. Am toying with going back to GP today & seeing if she will put her on Ranitidine but again I'm beating myself up about it. I got 3 (broken) hours sleep last night which is quite good Does anyone else have a really NOISY baby? DD2 sound's like she's having a crap all night! Poor DH staggers off to work at 6am looking awful. Several people have told me to move her into her own room but I don't feel brave enough. Has anyone else booted them out yet? I can hear her grunting away next door even now and every time I check she's fast asleep!

Pleased to report that DD1 & DS have both returned to their normal brilliant selves Both sleeping magnificently though often in the same bed together. Awwwwww!

Do you think she has floppy larynx, castles? Ds1 had it and was also a very noisy sleeper.

I really feel for you. 3 hours of sleep only Ds2 didn't go down until 11 then was back up at 12. I have to admit to saying the f=word a couple of times

He must be going thru a growth spurt. He cluster fed from about 6 to midnight and is at it again now at 3:20. He's 6 weeks Wed so have decided to try expressing and introducing a bottle today. He'll have to take one when I'm at work - no way would dh mess aaround with cup feeding - and my nipples need a break!

Oooh Jabber, what's a floppy larynx & is it something I should be worried about?

When are you going back to work? I can't believe they are nearly 6 weeks already! I'd definitely go for the bottle. My nipples are ripped to shreds - still. DD2 had a slight tongue-tie which meant she had problems latching on even though we've had it "fixed". I give bottles as much as poss. Also means someone else can do it

You don't have to do anything abouy floppy larynx. They just grow out of it but it does make them noisy sleepers.

I don't go back until the 23rd and very part-time even then. Had hoped by 6 weeks nipples would be better Have just put on a couple of gel pads. Last time I broke down and was exclusively expressing by now. Defnitely don't want to go that route again!

As far as sleeping in a separate room, I didn't move ds1 until 6 months, will probably do the same with ds2 but you know I am sleeping in the nursery with ds2 so that dh can get some sleep. He has post-polio syndrome that has been a real issue this year and can't get overly tired as it makes it worse. At least I knew about it before getting pg so had time to get used to the fact of doing nights alone this time around.

Thanks Jabber. When did your DS grow out of it? I've had a look on some other threads & it seems it could be tied in with throwing up/reflux.

I have wondered lately if he had reflux as ds1 was very fussy and had projectile, massive spit-ups. Feel quite for him that I may have missed that but he is fine now at least.

I honestly can't remember how long it took. MY depression was so bad that most if his babyhood is a blur...

Poor you Jabber It is horrible to think that they suffer but I think they all do a bit in the 1st 3 months ... as we do My DD1 has no residual scars from quite bad reflux, apart from being a little monster at times

Hello all! Just wondered if anyone had any tips for cradle cap. Ds has it on his ears and has a pair of comedy eyebrows, somewhat in the shape of Lennin's

Eli, glad to hear that Mischa is better and that you are all together again, what a bloody nightmare!

Hi lucy, have you tried rubbing a bit of olive oil (or jojobaa or apricot) on it? That worked great for ds1.

btw I saw bewilderbeast posting on the ante-natal thread.

castles, that is good to know re: no scarring.

Ds1 has been showing his monster side esp. at bedtime!

hi everyone. knackered here although dd2 (24 days) did sleep quite well. she has become more predictable during the day all of a sudden - feeding every 2 3/4 to 3 1/4 hours which is making planning around her a little easier.

tomorrow DD1 starts preschool again so it will be first day running around like a mad woman trying to get them both ready - eek.

hope you're all ok.