August 2016 - early arrivals to the newborn cuddles & graveyard feeding shifts

[rumisyum]

So many August bus babies have arrived already! Anyone else fancy a chat during night feeds or wondering what to make of the contents of tiny nappies? Might as well get comfortable...

Thank you Sophia! The leaflets I was handed do talk about the helpful tips you mention and list but with DS alone with me I just haven't got the time. I did actually call the clinic for help and they said strip and get into bed with DD but at the time I had my 3 year old climbing the walls It will help a lot when I'm alone with her tomorrow. I just need to avoid the housework that is shouting at me!! The pain has subsided a lot. It was after a feed and felt deep like I had been vacuumed. Maybe the pain is better now that her tongue movement has changed...that's my guess. I'll be going back to the lactation consultant on Wednesday to get more support with my rubbish latch!

Who said breastfeeding was easy huh

Shanster - that's such good news that the Gaviscon is working for you! Where did you buy the priobotic drops from and what made you think about taking the two together?

Bella - I hope you're feeling better? Are you ebf? If you're then I'm sure your lo will be protected by your germs. I second the sling for daytime naps. If your sling doesn't work out then the old style Caboo closer is really good and not expensive second hand at all. I paid £15 for mine.

Quite crunchy - congratulations! How are you feeling?

Biscuits - how are you doing? Have the drugs kicked in?

Sophia - Yes!! My lactation consultant this week suggested that I am experiencing lactose overload because my latch has been poor so DD is probably never getting the heind milk. It's one of the things I need to start watching from tomorrow. Do you think you're experiencing what they talk about in the article? I can relate to the grunting in the night/early morning and spitting up small amounts when I mis judge wether she's hungry or not. Have you heard about Coleif? Apparently it helps breakdown the lactose. I'm tempted to give it a go.

Phew...think I've caught up now!

My GP yesterday was useless! I told him that I can't put DD down at night because as soon as I do she starts making chocking noises and sounds that sound like something needs to come up, before she starts crying to be picked up. He had nothing to suggest or say on the matter...sigh! I've taken DD off all reflux medication now (Gaviscon and Renetidine). I haven't seen any difference which is good. It's nice to be off all medicine. She still wakes if I put her down. It's nearly 4:30am and I still haven't managed to put her down. I'm going to attempt again now. Wish me luck!

-hi all sorry I've not been posting on here? If late, I've had huge issues with breastfeeding and just seem to go from issue to issue. So far ( for those not on FB) I've gone from mastitis to thrush, to severe posterior tongue tie, to such bad cuts on both nipples I demanded swabs to check for infection which turned out I had staphylococcus in both nipples, pear I am now starting from scratch again with feeding a very fussy baby like yourself it sounds very similar with the lack of opening her mouth for 15 or so minutes and having to pop her on when she's crying. But over the past three days I've done the basic nurturing position and it has helped a little. Can you please send me the link where you saw the article about the lactose? Mine does small spit up and all that grunting too and I thought it was my fast let down making her windy. I tried gripe water two days ago and got wind up but wasn't sure if it was a fluke!
I hope you get relief soon it sounds like you are having such a rough time of it. Enjoy some mummy and daughter time when your DS has the overnight stay. Skin to skin definitely makes me and baby more relaxed!

Dileas can I ask what the pain was like with staph infection? I suspect I may have that (pus coming out of cracks) not thrush but doctors didn't swab when I first went so still waiting for results. I've had mastitis, possible thrush and latch issues too- it's so miserable isn't it but we'll get there eventually.

If you go back a page I posted the lactose link- it can be caused by oversupply/overactive letdown apparently.

Is anyone using the Wonder Weeks app? 5-6 weeks is prime time for crying babies who need lots of comfort, but apparently it will pass!

Dilias here is the article that Sophia posted http://www.babycareadvice.com/article/detail/Lactose_Overload?/article/detail/18

Sorry to hear that you're having trouble too DS is only going to my mothers from 11-5 but that is good enough!

Btw some of you were talking about calorie intake and bm. I've noticed a big increase in milk supply since I've stopped the dairy free diet. Wow is it nice to be able to snack on whatever I fancy when I'm in this tired state!!!

So, it's 5:30 and DD is still fussing crying eating. Looks like I'm having zero sleep tonight then. Arghhhh she better sleep today otherwise I'll be one grumpy mummy doing housework with a sling, which is virtually impossible because you can't really bend down without adjusting a million times

Pear i know it's easy for me to say but please just do the absolute minimum today. Even if DD won't let you sleep you can be resting.

My DS was exactly the same. One day he just went in his cot. It took a while but he got there eventually.

and for you.

I will Bella ** Did you son also do this chocking grunting in the night when you put him down? I understand it's the mucus but I'd like to know when that passes! Tonight I'm going to run a hot shower with DD in the room. I thought about doing it in the night but I didn't want to wake up the household

You'd think the mucus would come up after 5 weeks So confusing

No he didn't, but to be fair he didn't stop screaming long enough to do anything else! In his case it was down to CMPI which unfortunately we didn't realise until he was 14 months...

I'd heard the grunting was them trying to poo. It's cause their digestive system isn't fully developed and they don't know how to open their sphincter at same time as pushing, so they end up pushing with diaphragm - hence the noise. Could be a different grunting though!

DD's grunting and squirming is almost always connected to poo. Or a fart. She looks like she's directing traffic at the same time because her whole body seems to get involved. Usually a sneeze also means poo

So am feeling massively better than during the week but definitely not Better. Resting lots helps hugely but is clearly tricky with a 3yo and a 8 week old. It leaves me in a quandary for tomorrow. On Friday past, DS had an extra nursery day so that was easier. But we don't like to do that too often - partly due to expense and also because he already has 3 full days as it is.
Tomorrow, DH could take the day off work as carer's leave or something. Obviously he doesn't want to do that unnecessarily but will do so if I need it.
I genuinely don't know if I could manage both children on my own all day tomorrow. After a couple of hrs of being up I tend to feel fairly lousy again. We have friends nearby who will come and help but DS is so clingy at the moment that I would still need to be present for him most of the time, rather than in bed for vast chunks of the day.
Actually, as I write all this down, I can see the answer staring me in the face. DH needs to take a day off work. That gives me the best chance of a swift (ish) recovery and frankly nobody is going to give me a prize for flying solo with pneumonia when I don't have to. They should be telling me to get a grip!!

So, by the same token, Pear I hope you are turning a blind eye to the housework and have just (literally!) stripped back to basics with your DD while DS is elsewhere for a few hrs.

Laughing at the 'directing traffic' - I always think mine looks like he's conducting an orchestra!

Argh this is just too frustrating for words I'm desperately tired but she won't let me put her to sleep and will only sleep in my arms. Think it's time to put on the sling and do lunch and chores so at least I'm not frustrated. I'm thinking about driving to the shops to buy Colief drops. Is anyone using it? I can't decide whether to do it today or wait until tomorrow. Today means I have to get dressed and look semi normal grrrr. If the drops work though it would be worth it right?

pear once she's asleep in the sling, can you at least sit down and rest on the sofa or something?
Sounds like she needs lots of cuddles at the moment. Which is all very well but you sound exhausted (and like you could do with a hug too, so hugs)

We tried colief with DS, I don't recall whether it made much difference or not which probably means it didn't, but every child is different.

Just do today what YOU need to do. Could your mum or DH pick some colief up for you and thus save you the energy of going yourself?

Biscuits yes I can sit down if she doesn't wake. I won't lie down though as I'll fall asleep. One thing that I have been seeing lots of lately is Cot death articles popping up here there and everywhere so I'm doing my very best not to resort to letting her sleep on me, the breastfeeding pillow or anything other then my bed or her bed. I've text DH and he's going to get the drops on his way back from his meeting in London but he won't be home until this evening. At least I can express before DS returns home.

Pear - we are having exactly the same problem. I've had 20 minutes since 2am where she's not been lying on me. Every time I try to move her she screams and it takes me ages to settle her. I just keep repeating to myself that this won't be forever.
Glad you're feeling better biscuits, but definitely try and get your husband to take the day off. You need more time to recover properly

Do you think it would be fair of me to make DH do bedtime with DS tonight when he gets in from work? I might try and go to bed really really early. I still haven't eaten or been able to put her down because she's just attached to my boob now... Obviously I'm happy about that. Basically, I need a cleaner, nanny and chef in order to be happy

Oh dear Sloth * Yes, Biscuits* good call on DH taking the day off! Sensible plan.

Right, feeding finished. I'm going to sling, eat and movie for the remainder of the 2.5 hrs I have left!

Pear I hope you enjoy the rest of the time you have, what movie are you watching? I think it's definitely fair to get dh to do bedtime, you really need to rest.

Sloth that sounds hard, have you tried white noise at all? Sometimes works well. Freya sleeps ok but does sometimes stay awake from the early hours, she fed every 2 hours last night for 20-30 mins a go, but at least went back to sleep. She loves music and that helps her to drop off.

Biscuits Hope you get the rest you need, you'll set yourself back if you don't. Hope you feel better soon

It's our wedding anniversary today, not planning much other than maybe a film or watch an episode of a series later on with a nice meal. Dh is currently at the park with the 2 and 4 year old, while I stayed home to feed the baby. Been to the shops for food and some flowers to take to our daughter's grave today and then to my grandad's so it's been emotional.

I'm planning on lots of chocolate and cake today, with tea thrown in for good measure. Hope you're all having a good weekend.

Thank you Cheese. It was a rubbish Netflicks movie that you would have never have heard of! I always like choosing the movies that we've never heard of. Happy anniversary! Ha ha anniversary celebrations are not so exciting when you've got children are they I'm sorry the day is also a sad one for you too. I hope you don't mind me asking, was your daughter very little when she passed away? So so sorry if it's inappropriate to ask! I'm sure you were pleased to have some time to buy the flowers today.

I managed to put DD down for 30 minutes hurrah! The sling definitely promotes sleep! I really ought to wear it in the night. OK tonight I promise to wear it.

Thanks pear, definitely not the same with children hehe. I've seen a few crap Netflix movies myself It's ok, she was stillborn at 37 weeks in Dec 2010. We found out that she had died on the 2nd and she was born on the 6th. It was pretty awful. Glad you managed to put her down for 30 mins, it's a good start :) The sling definitely sounds good.

Freya has been sleeping all afternoon and still asleep on me now, hoping this doesn't mean she'll be up all night! She's woken to feed and then gone back to sleep, even when she's been changed she's gone right back to sleep. Hoping for some awake time soon.

Aww Cheese ** I can't even imagine what those last weeks of Freya's pregnancy has been like for you. No wonder you sound so chilled now with Freya!

cheese- Elizabeth has done the same. Was wide awake all day until about 4ish and then has been fast asleep ever since. I even changed her nappy without her noticing. She's feeding now but she's not really awake. Fingers crossed both she and Freya decide they have enjoyed their evening's sleep so much, they'll extend it all night!

I hope you had a nice anniversary and that the trip to put flowers on your little girl's grave was everything you needed it to be

pear sloth and biscuits you both sound like you're having a real hard time of it. I'm sorry to hear it. As you know, I have no idea what I'm doing with babies so I have no useful advice but I do have buckets of sympathy and I hope things improve soon.

Thank you plimsolls.

DD latch is so much better tonight...phew. Still have loads of work to do but it's quicker and I can see practice makes perfect in play I've just given the second dose of Coleif drops. No difference apparent yet and omg what a faff. I have to express my foremilk and then put drops in it before giving it to her in a syringe. It was £16 from Tesco

Watching about colief with interest.
Cheese I'm very sorry to hear that. Must have been a horrendous time for you. Had been using white noise but kind of forgot about it after a few good nights. It's on tonight. The soothing sounds of tumble dryers and dd being swaddled up like a burrito = she's slept from 10.30-01.00 . Amazing!- it's been pretty tough but I'm still finding it better than being pregnant!
Sophia I say the same about dd. She pulls a really serious face and it's like she's conducting a very serious opera.