March 2017 babies

[purpleviolet1]

So my 9 day old baby boy was delivered by emcs at 37+5 gestation due to presenting breech (waters broke and contractions started). First baby so lots to learn!

Currently giving him expressed milk and formula topup. We tried breastfeeding but there was latch issues, he got very frustrated as he wasn't getting satisfied and my nipple was cracked and bleeding within a couple of days. I then got blocked ducts and the whole thing was a disaster really. I feel like a bit of a failure and did get help from bf clinic for the latch but it was little too late. With the c section recovery I just feel too exhausted to have him on the boob constantly and least with formula he is getting some decent sleep (although I'm usually expressing during this time so don't get a proper rest).

Oh and his fussy time is between 10pm -2am. He tends to feed and need winded on repeat between this time. It's exhausting but tonight I had a nap from 7-10pm in anticipation.

Come and join me for some chat...

I've stuck mine under the shower the past couple of times. Easy but she is slippy so it's a two man job, dh has to be ready with the towel.

Went to sling swing this morning, basically like very gentle Zumba with babies in slings and carriers. Good fun.
Some of the mums were talking about putting baby to sleep on their front at they prefer it, but they were a bit older, 3/4 months.

Sorry forgot to namechange!

troodie
Sling swing sounds brilliant! I love Zumba and really miss it. I did try mum & baby yoga but I just found it annoying when I had to look after DS instead of doing the yoga. If I could keep him in the sling while I exercise it might work better!

Still thinking about a group I can go to with DD. My HV told me about a mum and baby walking group that meet up every Thursday just down the road from my house, it's not run by a centre or church or anything like that it's just a group of mum's who know each other and anyone can just tag along so might give it a go

To wake or not to wake a sleeping baby that is the question!

We've been out today so she hasn't had her long nap, she decided to have it at 5:50 and still snoozing. Wanted to bath her tonight as well.

Oh had her 6-8week check today all fine 11lb 1oz!

Great weight carolann!

Had jags today. He slept straight after for 3 hours but woke up quite distressed. Don't know if it's the reflux or the jags though tbh.

Have you checked his temperature? He might be a bit unwell after the jabs. DS was upset when he woke up and he had a slight temperature.

Hi ladies

Any 8 week old FF babies managing 5oz feeds yet?

Namechange there was no temp but I was advised to give calpol every 4 hours for the first 3 doses and then offer a 4th if required. She said to give it tomorrow as well if still very grizzly.

Carolann we have been offering ds 5oz for about 3 weeks I think. He does often take the full 5 but sometimes will have 3.5-4oz.

Yeah we offer 5oz each feed the past couple of days she's managed 4.5oz during the day and 3oz during the night but still wants a feed every 3 hours.

Think she takes after me with being a morning person she likes to stay up after her morning feed which can be anywhere between 5-7.

We are back to having a long afternoon nap (yay) usually about 3 hours they disappeared last week so so glad they are back

Hello everyone
I hope you and your babies are doing so very well.

I'm sorry to gatecrash and hope you don't mind, but I'm 6 days in with my little boy post CS and struggling with increasing anxiety as he won't sleep anywhere but on me. You ladies are that bit further ahead so your advice would be so appreciated.

We've tried Cot and Moses basket but he seemingly can't lie flat- no matter how dozy, if laid flat he loses it. I'm BF and topping with formula (he's tongue tied so seemingly struggling on boob alone)
Currently he has been sleeping only on me, which has left me a nervous wreck due to the recommendations not to- but what else are you supposed to do?? I'm starting to slide into a bad place with the sleep deprivation and fear/guilt as I try to stay awake all night to make sure he is safe. I always make sure there are no covers near him and I hold him securely to me whilst propped up, but I'm starting to lose it a bit as I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing.
If any of you have any tips or experiences to reassure me I would be so very grateful.

Hi mighty, congratulations on the birth of your DS and sorry to hear you've been struggling

First things first, do you intend to get his tongue tie divided? Have you been offered it on the NHS? My DS had tongue tie and our lives were so much easier after it was divided.

Secondly, sleeping - DS also went through a phase of only sleeping in bed next to me (when I fed him lying down at night) or in our arms, then waking up when we put him in his Snuzpod. After an utterly exhausting few days I cracked and bought a Sleepyhead. They're expensive but worth it if you're desperate! It might not work for your DS but definitely worth a try IMO, maybe you could borrow one or get one second hand if you don't want to buy it new.

Is your partner doing his share? Could the two of you do shifts, each stay up for a few hours holding/supervising the baby while the other gets some sleep?

mighty
As an alternative to the Sleepyhead, you might also consider the Cocoonababy, as it holds the baby at a slight incline rather than flat - it's supposed to be good for babies with reflux.
Also, tongue tie can cause wind and reflux, so he might be more comfortable on his back once it's sorted.

Hi mightymouse76 congratulations. The exhaustion and anxiety are normal and it does get better. Well you get better at coping with it at any rate.

I've read that only sleeping on mum is not uncommon. Have a search for "the fourth trimester" on here and elsewhere.

Do you have a sling? That might help. Although I don't know if you can use one so soon after section? How is your pain and healing?

Infa col might be worth a try also?

Hi namechange

Thank you so much for your response
We definitely are going to treat his tie-i hired a lactation consultant yesterday out of desperation and she spotted it. We just need to work out where we have it done (in London so possibly Kings). He is taking a lot of air in on feeds which I suspect is contributing to the unsettling when lying flat?

On the sleeping tip, I also have the snuzz which is so far rejected! And in another moment of desperation yesterday bought a sleepyhead which has just this evening been unpacked.

Can I ask, do you put the sleepyhead on the bed or in the cot? Are they ok for overnights? I thought I read they were for daytime supervised sleeping but I will try anything if safer than my current scenario. And what do you dress your DS in to go in it? Currently as he's on me we just do skin to skin.

Thanks again, I can't begin to explain how helpful it is to hear from you

mighty

It's good that you got his tongue tie diagnosed so quickly - well done for seeking specialist advice straight away. The division is a very quick and simple procedure, a few of our babies have had it done, so if you have any questions about it feel free to ask.

To answer your question, yes if the tongue tie is causing him to take in air during feeds, he is probably uncomfortable lying down, so dividing the tongue tie should help with that.

Good question about the Sleepyhead - I thought it was safe for unsupervised sleeping including overnight, but someone queried it so I tried to check, but couldn't find a definite answer on their website. Tbh we have been using it anyway I put the Sleepyhead inside the Snuzpod, which is attached to the bed with the side down. He's right next to me and I think that reduces the SIDS risk (given that I don't smoke, not drinking atm, and I'm breastfeeding). We dress him in a short-sleeved vest and either a sleepsuit or a "bundler" (which is basically a long nightie, easy for nappy changes!) He also has a lightweight blanket which he tends to kick off, but I don't tuck it in because I like him to be able to kick it off if he gets too hot. He does seem to be quite a warm baby and the midwife said it's better for them to be too cold than too hot.

PS We also move the Sleepyhead around, we have it downstairs for daytime naps - it's pretty versatile and useful actually.

Hi troodie and thanks too for your response. I can honestly say I've never been so overwhelmed as I am now.
I'm going to try and get to a sling library tomorrow if I feel mobile enough-my healing is ok but pain variable- at least I'm getting a lot of rest thanks to him sleeping on me most of the day!
I've got some infacol arriving tomorrow too to try- fingers crossed.
I will certainly look up 4th trimester tonight (long night ahead!)

Namechange He just awoke again and was inconsolable with what seemed like pain.
He's had a feed and is calm again now but Too freaked to put him in the sleepyhead first time tonight so will trial it tomorrow in the cot.
I also don't smoke and no alcohol atm and what with the mixed feed I hope I'm lowering the sids risk,
Thanks also for the support on tongue tie- I'll certainly be back on with any queries as long as you don't mind the repeat gatecrash!

Hi mightmouse, congratulations
You've been given some fantastic advice already so am afraid I don't have much to add.

Tongue tie division - could you consider getting it done privately so you don't have to wait if NHS has a long list?

Also do download a white noise app, I have soundsleeper. You may find LO settles more listening to the 'womb' noise. I've read on here that putting something you have worn next to the LO can also help them sleep elsewhere as they can smell you. Not tried that personally but anything is worth a shot!

I've just bought something called wedgehog from Amazon - basically a wedge which can be placed under Moses or cot mattress to help them sleep on an incline. That may help you.

Lastly on the c section front, do take regular pain relief for longer than you feel you need it. Fighting pain adds further to the exhaustion and won't allow our body to recover. Can you get friends family to help you with cooking laundry etc so you can literally be free to lookafter baby and sleep when LO sleeps? If there is no one around can you get a cleaner and meals organised ? Your main focus needs to be nutritious food and getting as much rest as possible.

Keep us posted!

P.s. As a first time mum I can say the last 9 weeks have been THE most overwhelming time of my life and I'm a cancer survivor...

Infacol has helped my LO sooooo much.

Having her tongue tie snipped today.

Good luck !

Those of you whose little ones had their jags anyone else had explosive poos? we had a massive explosive poo this morn. It had gone up onto the tummy from the top of the nappy had to hose him down in the shower!