March 2016 babies! The (hopefully) graduation thread!

[hayleycookie]

We reached 999 posts without making a new thread - woops!

Park your bums and continue the newborn chitter, and due date whinges

Congratulations sher - what a beautiful baby! When will you be home?

Thank you. I'll give it a shot.
I feel like such a failure, I can't even look after my baby properly (at least it feels like it).
I'm so scared.
Me and her where doing so well and if she looses weight it's all down to me.

Going to phone my boss tomorrow and say I want to come back to work and swap places with my oh. I really think it's the right thing 2 do. Dreading my oh going to work tomorrow. His leaving at 4:30 and is not home until 6pm. Everything's so much better when his here and his so much better at looking after her than what I could ever be.
Feeling awful as just left my baby in her bouncer asleep and came in the bedroom to cry for ten minutes because I didn't want her to hear me crying.

She's struggling to take her bottles to. She keeps choking and coughing on them and stopping for a few seconds to try and breathe. She can't suck for more than a few seconds. My oh thinks she has nasal congestion because theirs lots of snot up her nose

Time firstly can you buy a nasal aspirator? I need to get one for Nancy. She's been so poorly the past couple of days (sleeping loads and barely feeding) and her nose is quite blocked from catching her sister's cold.

Secondly the housework etc. Can any family come and help? I found it impossible when I had my first baby. The washing up and laundry piled up and the place was a mess. I'm much more organised now, but there aren't enough hours in the day so I've hired someone to help.

Thirdly I really think you should phone the health visitor and tell her how you're feeling honestly - if my anxiety comes back I will be seeing mine straightaway x

My oh is buying one on the way home now.
I don't think she has a cold though, she seems her usual self otherwise.
It's so scary she chokes on her bottles about ten times a feed of 3oz. I've tried different bottles and teats. It makes no difference. I'm just so scared she will loose weight.
Yes family can help.
I'll phone my health visitor.

time I don't know a huge amount about bottle feeding but have you tried using a teat with slower flow? That might help if she's struggling.

Please don't be hard on yourself - you are capable of looking after your baby. And you will be able to cope. I really think you ought to see if you can get hold of a health visitor to discuss your mental health - what you are feeling may be more than the normal baby blues and you need some proper support. You need time to recover from birth and adjust to having a newborn. try not to rush into any decisions re: work as going back to work feeling the way you do now is likely to interfere with bonding and affect you mentally too.

Hope everyone else is doing ok. Had my 41 week appt today and spoke with MW about induction. I've got an appointment with consultant on Friday to discuss postponing it/having monitoring or a plan on place, so I'm feeling quite happy as not got anything booked in yet and don't have to think about arguing against induction till Friday. Also had a sweep which actually was fine. Didn't hurt at all, didn't even feel that uncomfortable, felt a bit weird but i was expecting pain or discomfort when she was sweeping and mostly just felt odd. Midwife said I was at least 1cm as she could get her finger in and had a sweep around. She said she could feel the baby's head and baby was kicking me a lot whilst she was doing it, made me laugh as she obviously didn't like being poked in the head! Sorry if tmi but just been to the loo and things very loose so hoping that things are going to kick off soon. I feel a bit more positive knowing my cervix wasn't completely unfavourable and mw was quite positive about my chances of going into labour this week.

We use the slow flow teats.
I've tried Dr Browns and tommee tippee bottles. It's just horrible hearing her chocking and trying to catch her breath. She looks so panicked and upset by it.
Is their a chance one day of bad feeding will affect her weight much?
Just left a message for health visitor on answering machine. Shall I go to the gps tomorrow?

scared try some saline spray for her snuffly nose, Cassidy was struggling to feed because she was bunged up and struggling to feed and breathe at the sane time. A quick squirt of the spray and she sneezes all the snot out then we are good to go. I wouldn't worry if she has one day of low feeds, babies are just like mini adults, some days we are hungry and some days we just fancy a snack.

Time Jacob feeds approx every 2-4 hours. Midwife told me to wake him to feed every 3 hours but to be honest I don't unless he sleeps for over 4 and usually he will wake before this. How long will Calais sleep if you just left her?

He does fuss with the bottle to begin with. After 2/3 attempts he'll then start sucking properly. If he coughs/chokes I just take the bottle out, lean him forward and tap his back until it passes. If he does a long natural pause I will stop and burp him to let that go down before seeing if he wants more.

We use the Tommee Tippee slow flow teats. I don't know what other brands are like though.

I had my day 10 check today and she did ask about vomiting so I would contact your health visitor or midwife to see what they suggest. What formula do you use? There is a type that is supposed to be better for sensitive tums. I'll google and come back to you.

It's called Comfort Milk in the brand I use- Aptamil. Am sure other brands do similar.

Thank you.
I will get some saline spray tonight.
She has slept five hours before. And then I still had to wake her.
She loves her sleep just like her mummy haha.
Waiting for oh now and then going to feed her together. His taking tomorrow sick as his never sick to try and help me out and let me go to the doctors for my anxiety and baby to if she doesn't pick up her feeds overnight.

We use cow and gate number 1 first milk.
You?
That's what I do if calais chokes it's so scary though.

Thank you.
I've left a message for my health visitor hopefully they phone tomorrow.
I'll ask about switching milks. Or can I just do this my self ?

So after posting earlier today saying I was glad baby is staying in until after 15th, everything has now been turned upside down again as I am being induced tonight!!!

My bile acids shot up so I definitely have cholestasis and they want baby out asap. I'm a nervous wreck right now and can't stop thinking about stillbirth - people keep saying how exciting that tomorrow you will have your baby in your arms, but I can't even envisage it as a reality. Stupidly I worried about it being the Ides of March tomorrow as well, my head is clearly not right!!

I'm going in at 6pm tonight US time so have about 5 hours to get my head together. I have positive affirmations from hypnobirthing on my phone, along with calming playlists. He warned me it will be a long process as not even 1cm dilated .......

What else can I do to prepare? Should I eat much today? Don't feel hungry right now as so nervous, and they originally said not to eat when labour started, but don't want to feel weak.

time so sorry to hear of your worries and stresses, I have nothing useful to add but the ladies on here have great advice. Please do call whoever you need to get the support you need honestly you're doing so well

Wow ffaux, not surprising that you're anxious, that's all very sudden! Can you try to focus on one thing at a time so its less overwhelming? So for now just make sure you're packed and ready to go, then deal with each stage of the induction as it happens rather than jumping straight to the bit where the baby comes! I found that worked really well for me during labour. Wrt to eating, if they think its going to take a while then try to eat a light meal now if you can, or at least some high energy snacks. You will need something to keep you going. Try to keep your fluids up too. Could you have a cup of tea or take some deep breaths (whatever works for you) to calm you down a bit so you can eat?

Time Cow and gate do a comfort version and it should be fine to switch to that but speak with your health visitor first and see what they suggest. Some babies are just more sicky than others, but it sounds like you are doing everything you should be. I think it's a great idea for your OH to take tomorrow off and help you for an extra day. It is daunting when they go back to work but trust me you will be fine. Don't rush into going back to work if you don't have to. The first few weeks are tough but it does get easier.

Ffaux that is all a bit sudden! All the best of luck and here's hoping things progress quickly for you. Us night feeders and CSCers will be here to support you.

Congratulations sherazade!! He's your first son isn't he?

Wow ffaux that's very sudden! Good luck, hope the induction isn't as long as the doctor thinks it'll be xx

Is anyone else co sleeping? Just like with the others I've sort of accidentally slipped into it! I do love it though.

Wow ffaux exciting and sudden, no wonder you're struggling to take it all in! Good luck and I hope it all goes well.

beaut I don't plan to co sleep as such (mostly as i struggled with DD to sleep comfortably next to her) but not against it and with DD she often ended up in bed with me at some point in the night so expect I'll find the same at this point!

Just sort of happens sometimes marmite! On the plus side I do seem to be getting sleep touch wood in fact now I think about I'm getting a lot more than when I was pregnant!!

I'm not brave enough to Co sleep.
Very deep sleeper and scared I'll roll onto her.
Don't know have anything against anyone who does though. It's up to how the individual feels.
Luckily calais is settling well on her own. In fact she screams when I hold her and calms when I put her down.

Faux - best of luck. Your be just fine and soon you'll have a lovely newborn

I'm getting more sleep than when pregnant to. Don't want to speak to soon though.

Time Jacob has just thrown up all over me, himself, sofa and cushions!

Beaut we don't co sleep as I'm not brave enough either but so far he's sleeping well in the Moses basket. If that changes I may well opt for co sleeping.

Well done Sher!

Hey ffaux! Yeah, I know how you'll feel! I was already sulking when you were talking about induction due to the suspect OC last week!

Fuck me I'm over work now! I even cheated and had two days of sick last week (serves me right, I'm actually sicker now with this bastard cold). Made today feel horrific! (I'm so tired, so breathless, and tomorrow I've got to do 5 hours of practicals )

what?!! Tonight?! Sorry that's thrown you a bit but I'm sure it'll be all good. Take the epidural! From everything I've read, if you're hungry: eat. (I think the US system isn't in favour of this though!) right, I'm getting on the pineapple!

Ahh, Time, sorry you're having a hard time. I think the overwhelming feelings and exhaustion are all kind of normal. Give yourself a break, have a sofa/bed day and just feed & watch TV and snooze. Get the supermarket to deliver, join the world of piles of clean washing in the living room (I'm very good at this one!). Focus on getting some rest and everything else will fall into place.

Great advice from the others there.
Re: snot - we had a nose-sucker thing for DS and it was utterly gross! I've just bought a saline nasal spray which worked a treat on DS (after the initial shock of having saline sprayed his nose!) (just seen MrsElls has beaten me to this!)

On co-sleeping: I never could relax enough with DS in the bed, hence investing in the co-sleeper cot.

I think I've already had my "I don't want to work anymore" rant! But I should stick it out, really, for my colleagues and the kids (and my maternity pay!).

Come on octo-baby, I'm ready now!

Yeah its funny as I always thought I'd be too scared to co sleep so bought the bednest which is a next to bed cosleeper type thing. But DD was a terrible sleeper and some nights she would only settle next to me so I just went with it and followed all the standard precautions. I found I basically didn't move position at all when she was next to me so got over my fears pretty quickly. This time I fully expect DD2 to migrate to the bed on a regular basis!

Oh indom I'm not surprised you're sick of work! Hope the baby comes early so you're forced to finish a bit earlier than anticipated

After feeling very positive after MW appointment and sweep I now feel pessimistic again. I checked my notes and she'd written cervix is posterior, 50% effaced, and 1cm. I googled it and posterior is not great, means labour not near yet! Ugh! Still, I'm glad I don't have an induction booked in and can discuss it with the consultant on Friday. It makes me feel a little less on the clock as it were.

time as others have said, sickness is completely normal and one day of poor feeding won't harm growth. Also remember babies will eat as much as they need - please don't stress about if she is getting enough, as she will let you know if not! And I second saline drops to aid with mucus!

Thanks all for the support and advice. I calmer now, have eaten and have everything ready. Tried bouncing on a ball and tweaking my nipples but all seems a bit futile now so going to get on the couch and watch Netflix until we go in.

indom lol so sorry that I now appear to be the one leaving you! Urgh I know how much it sucks but I'm convinced your baby will be here early, and your colleagues and the kids will really be fine whenever you go off, so put yourself first when it gets too much

Right, maybe speak some of you in the night owl postings!

Damn straight he will, ffaux! A colleagues daughter had her baby this morning, and she shared my due date. So I'm about to eat all the pineapple we have in the house (not enough) and think birthy thoughts (cos that's all it takes, right?!). I'll race you!