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...

Also do you feed before a bath too or just straight after. He always seems to want food and I give him some before a bath and then more after - maybe I'm doing it wrong?!

Nicky
When DS wouldn't be put down to sleep, I lasted a few days before buying a Sleepyhead in desperation! And it has done the trick for us. He must feel more secure in it because he sleeps for longer than if I put him down in the pram carrycot for example (which is pretty small and cosy, Moses basket size).
The other day I took DS to a baby swim session and he slept for 4 hours afterwards! It was a massive faff but his long nap was a good reward

No I feed after the bath, so time it in line with her feeds , my DD hates getting out as well until I started putting her towel on the radiator for a bit before using so it was warm

We have this swing www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5809866.htm?cmpid=APP003

name I didn't think I could take DD swimming yet, until she can control her head I bit more

Carol
The "swim school" I went to said that it's suitable from 6 weeks. The session was good, the teacher showed me safe ways to support him in the water, including supporting his head and neck.

Thanks name I'll look into it at my local

I've bought a swing this evening as the chair I have has to be rocked by me! Looking into the sleepyhead now - does it fit in a Moses basket?! Can they sleep on their side in it?! Gave him a bath at 6 and tried feeding him after and he was so tired that he didn't want any milk after just the dummy and fell straight asleep in my arms!!!
I've been desperate to take him swimming and know that taking him out in the car and on walks will help him sleep better but unfortunately I had a very traumatic labour (forceps and 4th degree tear - that's all for another thread) so struggling physically and emotionally really. Can't take him out much at the moment ☹️! Thanks for your help though - looks like it's going to be an expensive (yet very worthwhile) evening!! X

My DD has just had 4oz then screamed and sucked her lips and hands to made her another 3oz and she had it all!! I don't know where she puts it all

I wish mine would take all that in one go!!

Hope it means she will have a good sleep tonight, fell asleep at 8:30, after fighting (who fights going to sleep, I fight to stay awake lol)

😆

Nicky
"Looking into the sleepyhead now - does it fit in a Moses basket?! Can they sleep on their side in it?!"
No it's too big to fit inside a Moses basket - it fills our Snuzpod - but you can put it down on any flat surface, in a crib or cot, or on the floor even.
I don't think they can sleep on their side, as the cushions go around the sides and keep them pretty snug.

Sorry about your difficult birth - hope you're getting chance to look after yourself a bit and recover.

Morning all

Fingers crossed for you nicky

Wow carol hope you got a good sleep after that.

She slept from 8:30 until 1:30 so I got a good few hours inbetween after sorting out her bottles for night feeds

Still wants to stay awake after her 5am feed. Feel it should be about midday coz I've been up for hours lol

That's the trouble with this time of year - it's so light in the mornings!

Well I tried DS in the bath this morning and he was wiggling around happily in it for ages, then cried about getting out and cried about getting dressed and then cried about having to get changed 10 mins later after a poo!!!! So I thought the bath and the excess crying would mean he'd sleep longer......he fell into a deep sleep in my arms instantly, then I put him in him basket and exactly 30mins later he woke up (grrrrrrrrrr!). Just spent 15mins giving him his dummy and telling him it's bedtime (my 'super nanny' bit!!). He's actually finally gone off again so has been in there for an hour! maybe I haven't persevered with getting him off when he wakes at the half hour mark!! Fingers crossed it's the start of better sleep for him and me having time to live a little again!! Thanks for all your help X

Nicky did you try the warm towel? My DD would scream getting out of the bath before I did that

Nicky I read that there is a funny sleep thing going on at 8 weeks as their sleep cycles change to be more like adult sleep. Ill try find for you

Apparently they come into a lighter sleep around 30-45 minutes after going to sleep. Gina Ford recommends that you leave them 5-10 minutes to resettle themselves but if they cry up then to attend to them. She also suggests offering them a top up feed just before going to sleep so you know they are not waking up out of hunger.

Not sure if that helps! Good luck!

Also as you say you can't take him out at the moment but could you put him beside the front or back door for 5 mins just so he is getting fresh air? I find it makes a massive difference xx

Had my DSSs this weekend (first time in 3 weeks but that's a whole other rant lol) felt bad I hardly spent time with them. Found myself saying I can't at the moment I'm....... which I hate doing but when I'm not feeding/changing/burping etc there's so many other thing to do so i sort of left my OH to look after them while I looked after DD.

Yes I wrap his towel around a hot water bottle which helps but I can't blame him for crying as I could stay in the bath all day too (not as if I've had one for months ☹️!).

That's very true about them coming into lighter sleep after 30mins. I'm thinking that if I leave him too long to self settle (the 5/10 mins) then he might get too 'awake' and it'll be harder to get him off again. Today I was quick at putting the dummy back in to keep him in a sleepy state. I'll try that again tomorrow and if it doesn't work then I'll give give the 5/10 mins to self settle a go. I always feed him before hand otherwise I know he'll have more chance at sleeping that bit longer.

I actually made my own version of the snugglepod this afternoon (will buy one tomorrow) using a breast feeding pillow and cushions on my bed (I know, not ideal but I was always close by) and he actually stayed asleep in his own for an hour and a half - first time 🙂🙂🙂🙂. Maybe I've cracked it - possibly a combination of persevering on getting him to sleep this morning, having a morning bath and making a snugglepod thing all helped.

I'll try leaving him out in the fresh air too as it's going to be lovely weather this week.

Thanks again for all your help.

P.s the chair swing came today but no batteries as usual so he'll have to wait to try that out! X

Nicky congrats on the hour and a half nap, let's hope it's the start of him getting more settled

Hope everyone is going well. LO is doing better with the increased dose, what a difference thankfully! Not quite 'right' still but much more manageable. He has started managing to sleep peacefully and that in itself is helping him overall. The poor souls they shouldn't have to suffer.

Can anyone who gives formula feeds advise what they do at night? Do you take made up feed out of fridge and stick in boiling water to take chill off? Trying to work out what's easiest in terms of not having to get out of bed (got a mini fridge and thermos)

Yeah, I make up 3 feeds, midnight feed then 3-4am feed and one for first thing, run under hot water while I change her and give her Infacol. She knows if I change her and give her Infacol that bottle is next, very rarely kicks up a fuss if I keep the routine the same.

Started giving her 6oz feeds as she was finishing the 5oz down to the last drop during the day, last thing I want is to come up short during the night.