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Post-natal clubs

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July 2016

994 replies

primarynoodle · 08/07/2016 06:28

Hopefully this works...

So we can keep in touch and pass on words of wisdom!

Perhaps someone clever could link to the stats?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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julfin · 21/07/2016 06:47

Indians - Re breastfeeding , how do you push more breast into hallie's mouth once she's latched? I have problems because jasper just won't open his mouth wide enough. It's painful for me and it means he's not getting enough milk. Re sleepyheads, some friends of ours highly recommended the sleepyhead brand. However another friend has lent me her cocoonababy, and jasper seems to absolutely love it. He looks so snug in it (actually he looks like a Buddha floating on a cloud), and he sleeps like a dream (caveat: mostly).

Speak - sorry about the corn pox - hope you both recover quickly.

Beaut - I've had a headache for the last two days, along with very painful shoulder/neck muscles. Accompanied by swollen hands/legs/face. I spent Tuesday evening at the hospital (where I had a total meltdown and cried at them) and am due back for a follow-up this morning. I definitely think you should get yours seen to - be as persistent as you can with the GP etc. I was lucky that (because I thought it might be preeclampsia) I went back to the maternity wing and they are treating it as a continuation of my care - they monitored me for 6 hours and looked into it thoroughly (whereas I think if I'd gone to the GP I would have got a less whole-hearted response). They said if I'm still suffering this morning they might do brain scans etc. Might it be worth you calling your maternity helpline too?
I'm also having trouble finding Nursing clothes that I can wear in this heat. Wish I could just go naked!

Dolly - what's the name of your feeding app?

Cheery - sorry to hear you're stuck in hospital for so long.

Floss - sorry about your DH being a bit useless. I hope he's improved for you! And you too, Thom.

Thom - thanks for asking - we are all fine. I've posted more details on the antenatal thread, but in short things are much better than expected and DH is bonding with jasper much more than he thought.

Day 7 (Wow a whole week! This time last Thursday I was in a whole world of pain...)

birdandbee · 21/07/2016 08:13

Morning!
Posting to mark my place - just catching up while I express Smile. Trying to build up my supply so I can begin to store some ebm. Baby fast asleep.

Beaut- I answered your question about headaches on the antenatal thread.

Flossiesmummy · 21/07/2016 10:11

DH is much improved. I'm also doing much better two weeks on from the section so can do some things for myself again Grin

For those people that are struggling to get their babies to open wide to nurse, this has worked for me both times.

When they're relaxed and not hungry, make wide mouth faces at them while repeating a key word ( ours is miiiiiiilk)
Then, when they want a feed, repeat the word as you're preparing to latch them on. Babies are programmed to mirror facial expressions and to associate them. Rose is two weeks old today and has learned to open wide. It's a bit Pavlov's Dogs-esque I suppose. Worth a go if you're struggling.

IndiansInTheLobby · 21/07/2016 12:18

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dollydaydream84 · 21/07/2016 12:57

Thanks Indians on our way now. Feel nervous, really hope it helps!

Julfin it's called ibabyfeedtimer Xx

IndiansInTheLobby · 21/07/2016 14:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dollydaydream84 · 21/07/2016 18:16

Thanks Indians! The way they lay her on the bed we couldn't see it thankfully, I was about to cry when I saw Dd1 start crying cos her sister was being "taken away"
So that distracted me, next minute it was all done and she latched on. Fed without shields was weird and not painful. Need to work on our latch and positioning again but fingers crossed she improves now!

julfin · 22/07/2016 02:18

Thank you Floss, Indians & Dolly for the bf advice x

Thom80 · 22/07/2016 03:29

Hope everyone is doing well and great BF advice. I am struggling with BF at the moment.
I am having a consultation with my surgeon tomorrow ahead of my surgery next week. I am starting to feel very nervous about it all and in particular how I will look after the baby afterwards. My mum will help but it isn't the same. Part of me wants to put it off but I know that my clinican and my family will all go off the deep end about risks to my health. It all feels very overwhelming especially at 3:20 in the morning when I am feeding! I am hoping to feel more confident after the meeting tomorrow.

dollydaydream84 · 22/07/2016 03:42

Hi thom I don't know what surgery it is but having just had to recover from a c section I would say making sure you have loads of support is key I could t have done it with my husband. You need to be sensible and take any sleep you can get that will give you a good chance at recovery too. Good luck for tomorrow x ps everything seems worse at night xxx

julfin · 22/07/2016 04:49

Hey Thom, I agree everything seems worse at night. Try not to worry, I know that's not easy. Listen to what the consultant has to say and take it from there. It's great that you've got a solid support network - don't be afraid to ask for what you need. Thinking of you at this tough time x

dollydaydream84 · 22/07/2016 06:19

Couldn't have done it without my husband*

Cheery1 · 22/07/2016 07:42

Morning ladies - we're home! So brilliant to be out of hospital finally. Maurice was a bit overstimulated so no sleep but at least I can make myself a Cuppa when I want and DH is here - doing his best bless him but looking faintly terrified now baby is our responsibility with no nurses around!

The latch....oh dear. M has joined the sucking on the end club and sooooo psinful. He's really strong so wiggles himself back even when he's latched on well. The Doctors response to his suck at his hospital discharge check was 'oh my gosh' so no wonder my nips are so sore. Like knives even after he's off. Great tip indians will try. Also endlessly feeding here too. On the hour sometimes and he did nearly 2 hours pretty much uninterrupted last night.

thom hope you feel a bit better in the light of the morning. As the other ladies say - support is the key. I think be honest if you're feeling vulnerable and ask for help. People like to be useful.

julfin · 22/07/2016 08:43

Cheery - good luck at home! Hurrah for being out. Re the feeding, if he's on for two hours that means he's just using you as a dummy and not actually taking in any nutrients (at least for a large chunk of this time). This happens to me too. You can (in theory) tell when this is happening because the muscle at his temple / upper cheek doesn't move when he sucks - it's just his jaw moving. Jasper does the wriggling-backwards thing too. I know he can open his mouth wide, because he does it when he yawns, but he just won't for feeding. Deeply frustrating. I'm going to try Flossie's Pavlovian dog trick Wink

julfin · 22/07/2016 08:48

Ps I really wish somebody would wake up and make me a cup of tea. Absolutely gasping, and can't move because I have a sleeping baby sprawled across me who I daren't disturb...

Cheery1 · 22/07/2016 08:59

Maurice relaxing in the sofa - finally home!

July 2016
Cheery1 · 22/07/2016 09:05

Ah thanks julf good to know I'm also a living breathing pacifier!!! The 2 hour session was an anomaly, it's usually about 15-25 mins on each, sometimes with a break in between. I think he was a bit discombobulated yesterday to be fair, all a bit much coming home having only known the hospital.

I've posted on the other thread but another BF question: is it normal for feeding times to be really erratic. He averages about 20 mins on each breast and then will have a top up later but last night he Had longer feeds until I caved as nips were so sore and gave him 20ml of formula so he would sleep. This morning he's had a 15 min feed and that's it , even after 4 hours, now back to sleep. Totally unpredictable. Is this ok do we think at this stage? He's 9 days but we're a bit behind on BF as he was nil by mouth for 2 days and my milk took a bit of time to come in because of our shaky start. He's probably tired this morning as he was wide awake for most of the night!

SpeakNoWords · 22/07/2016 09:10

I'd be inclined to wake him for a feed after 3 hours or so, just because he's still very young and after a delayed start to feeding too. They should feed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, I wouldn't worry about how long each feed is as that will vary quite a lot.

dollydaydream84 · 22/07/2016 09:18

Cheery great to hear you are home! I think time between feeds can vary but they were only happy with me not waking Dd up for feeds once she had had a few days of feeding at least 8-12 times a day and having several dirty nappies in a day and plenty of wet ones. They do sleep an awful lot but if you think he's sleeping too much and not getting sufficient feeds then wake him up

Just checked my log and DD had 9 feeds at 9 days old lasting between 5 and 30 minutes hope that helps. X

Cheery1 · 22/07/2016 09:30

Thanks speak and dolly that really helps. They were really happy with his feeding at the hospital and his poos. He's just gone a bit off since we got home yesterday, I suppose it's a lot to take in for him after never having seen the outside world. He'd put on some of the weight he'd lost so that's a good sign I reckon. Argh, first time mum at home freaking out!

dats · 22/07/2016 10:15

Cheery welcome home!!! So relieved for you! BF-wise, erratic is ok and to be expected. Nappies are a good basis for reassurance, as long as there's plenty of both types you're likely fine. Yesterday, the boy started the day with three rubbish, snacky, 5 minute feeds - which aside from his nutritional intake pisses me off because I still have to go through the pain barrier and for what?! Ruddy babies! Anyway, around lunchtime he did three poos in quick succession and for the rest of the day, solid and consistent 15-20 min feeds. It's been like this since birth, but he only dropped 6% from birth weight so clearly he's thriving on it.

They do get better at it - as do we. When they're new, sometimes latching is harder just because their mouths are so tiny. We had a slight latch regression when my milk came in, he simply couldn't get his gob round my massive norks and what seemed like a good latch soon slipped as I tried to ease into my usual position. So now I end up staying in initial latch position, supporting the boob I'm using and getting a dead arm! But that's getting better too and hopefully will continue to improve.

Right, I need to jump in the shower. He's a week old today, can't believe it. Love him so much - the second time round is just so different, so much more relaxed that I keep feeling guilty that I'm enjoying him so much more than I did DD. And the family dynamic, I'm loving the evenness of being a four. I'm looking at DD with fresh eyes, at what she can do and how far she's come - it's like everything is more sharply in focus.

Just wait. When DP goes back to work I will be eating my words and complaining that is such a 'mare and I hate my life blah blah. But for now, I'm loving my bubble Smile

Elliz yes it's a koala!!! Good old John Lewis. You may wonder what the hell I'm on about having taken so long to respond!!

Flossiesmummy · 22/07/2016 11:39

We're now firmly in cluster feed territory. I think it's Rose's time for a growth spurt judging by her endless milk chugging. I'm hoping to get her weighed later. If any of you ladies can get to a BF support group, I can really recommend them. I'm attending one this afternoon. They really do help.

Cheery1 · 22/07/2016 12:26

dats thanks for the reassurance and you do make me chuckle! My boy is loving the little feeds and oweeeeeee does he have a strong latch!

Also so lovely reading about your family. So glad you're enjoying it all xx

Cheery1 · 22/07/2016 14:31

flossie - clustertastic here too. Poor little man was nil by mouth for 2 days so he's making up for it now by goodness!

julfin · 22/07/2016 15:14

I love this: "he simply couldn't get his gob round my massive norks" - thanks for the chuckle, Dats!

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