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...

purple
I know exactly what you mean, I am often torn between going out and having a nap! We've actually been quite busy, in that we've had something most days - either visitors, an appointment or an outing. The "outing" could just be a walk though! And there have been days when we haven't been able to do anything (because DS has been feeding constantly so I couldn't even shower and get dressed let alone go out!) or I've just been too tired and had a nap instead! I think in general it's worth making the effort, as it keeps us sane to get out and about, but also good to pace yourself and factor in rest and quiet days as well.

Hugh
Thank you I've heard it usually gets better from 6 weeks - fingers crossed! Only 10 days to go if that's the case for us!
I'm using an Ardo double electric pump, recommended by SIL, and it seems great - I like how quiet it is.

I also have a Haakaa pump which you can use on one boob while feeding the baby with the other. Very easy to use but can be a bit tricky to manage depending on baby's position and how fussy he is being! I don't always get loads of milk with it but sometimes get up to 50ml. And it was only about £15 so good value.

Oh going back to the tummy question ... mind looks loose and very much how it did after DD1 apart from the strange hematoma but I keep wearing the band and doing the postpartum exercises .
As for getting out , I would say I've been out too much and seen people too much in all honesty which prob hasn't helped healing and I should have just stayed home more with LO. I have timed going out with a full (being 3oz as she won't take more ) feed and she will sleep in pram or seat for 4 hours maybe more ! X

Lottie that's great advice! And really great your lo is only waking once. I do think there must be something in bigger babies meeting the milestones quicker. If I remember correctly your lo was 9lb at birth ? And drinking 6oz. Our ds was 8lb 3oz and drinking 4oz. You have given me hope!

Is it silly to say I feel walks and outings are a waste just now if he just sleeps as it means I'm missing out on rest? Maybe I'll feel better when the infection has cleared and I'm feeling more physically able. I also feel like I don't want him to sleep too long in one period during the day as it might keep him up at night! He had his days and nights muddled for a while but seems to be getting better.

Thanks for the advice on the teats too - we have the dr brown bottles and the level 1 teats which we are using are generally for 0-3 months although it does say that it's only a guide. Will give the level 2 a shot - no harm in trying!

Poor soul had a bout of diarrhoea today and also brought a lot of milk up - thankfully only one episode though.

Thanks everyone, really glad for this thread!

"I also feel like I don't want him to sleep too long in one period during the day as it might keep him up at night!"

I've heard that babies who sleep well during the day actually sleep better at night. Not sure exactly why but maybe it's because they're not overtired?

We were advised by the midwife to change from teat 1 to teat 2 but my LO would act like she was drowning in formula so we switched back to 1, just means she has to put a bit more effort in and she does tend to nod off during some feeds.

My LO has been funny with her naps and feeds. Sleeping for 1.5 hours then wanting her feeds every 2 hours, don't know whether to up her 4oz to 5oz

I agree with Hugh on the walking etc purple ! Just enjoy being at home but don't worry how much baby sleeps that's all they really do at this stage .
Yes Carol, I'm not surprised you had to swap back, ** I can't imagine stage 2 teat when they are this little . I have been waking by changing her bum part way if needs be .
I haven't weighed myself either but we don't keep scales in the house .

Obviously i don't know how much DS eats when he is breastfeeding, but DH has just given him expressed milk - he's eaten 180ml (more than 6oz) in the last hour, and he's still hungry!

Maybe he's having a growth spurt (he's 4 1/2 weeks)... or maybe we've just spawned a milk monster

Oh no poor you Hugh 😫. .
Wow Name that's amazing well done bless him and you !
Another weird night here, LO waking less than 3 hours and taking ages to settle

Don't know what my LO is doing, she now wants 3oz every 2 hours feel like we've gone backwards in terms of feeding. She doesn't always fall asleep before she's finished but she just refuses to finish. Then stays awake for hours

Anybodies LO love sleeping on their tummys? Mine settles easier when lying on me or OH on her front. Obviously I can't put her down in her Moses on her front

I expressed the other day as I was curious to see how much my LO was eating...and it was nice for my partner to take over. Managed 3oz which she guzzled down and then breastfed for ages after. Not sure I could express to keep up with her!
She's had got into a good routine of waking at 1am, 3am, 5am, 7am...but woke at 2am last night and didn't go back down until after 4am.
She sleeps on her side in her Moses, but would definitely sleep on her front if she could Carol

Carolann8584 mine loves sleeping on her front on people. And on her side. My mum keeps saying babies sleep better on their sides but sticking with the back and feet to foot! I guess she'll flip herself when she's able to.

Just realised I have been giving
Ds the comfort formula during the day but the ready made cartons we have been using at night is the basic stage 1 formula. The comfort doesn't come in ready made cartons ! Health visitor said no major issue but best to move him onto comfort all the time.

Came across this and found it a really good explanation. May be helpful to some of you.

"The reason for the 30 minute wait is that a litre of water takes 30mins to cool by 30C to the optimum temp for killing the bacteria (enterobacter sakazakii/salmonella) whilst still retaining as much of the nutrients in the formula as possible.

Adding formula powder to cold water is not considered a safe way to prepare formula as it does not kill off any bacteria that may be in the formula powder.

Once made up and cooled to drinking temperature the bottle has a life of two hours before it must be discarded and a fresh bottle prepared.

The absolute safest way to feed formula is using ready to feed cartons as they are sterile whereas powdered formula isn't (there is currently no known way to sterilise a powder without radiation).

The safest way to prepare a powdered formula feed is with 70C water then cooled and fed immediately to the baby. Bacteria (if present) should have been killed and not allowed chance to grow before baby drinks it.

The next safest is 70C water, cooled refrigerated for less than 24h then warmed and fed to baby. Bacteria (if present) should have been killed and cooled to a temperature that bacteria does not grow well at.

The next safest is powdered formula added to cool boiled water and fed immediately to baby. Whilst bacteria (if present) has not been killed, it is not given a chance to grow before being drunk by baby.

The next safest is powdered formula added to cool boiled water and stored in a fridge, warmed and fed immediately to baby. Bacteria (if present) has not been killed but stored at a temperature that bacteria does not grow well at has the possibility of growing whilst stored.

The next safest is powdered formula added to cool boiled water, warmed and then left out/placed in bottle bag before drinking some time later. Bacteria (if present) has not been killed, has been heated to a temperature that bacteria grows well at and then left - any bacteria that is present can multiply quickly.

Obviously, it's up to a parent to decide how to prepare formula, but it is worth baring in mind the age of the baby and health status before choosing which method to follow."

The below link has good info on the water temperature in a thermos.

Page 2 - http://www.firststepsnutrition.org/pdfs/StatementonnvacuumflaskssandtravellformulasystemssFeb2016.pdf

All the above has helped me to decide I'll either be making up in advance or using thermos for night time feeds / going out.

I've started making bottles 4 at a time and refrigerate so I am only making bottles twice a day.

DD is a lot more settled at feed times

Nice one Hugh that's a lot of milk!

I've only used my electric pump a couple of times but managed to get 100-120ml in one session (about 15 minutes), so 50-60ml from each boob.
When I use my Haakaa pump it really varies, can be a tiny amount or up to 50ml if I'm lucky. Usually 20-30ml.
I'm trying to express at least 150ml a day which should be enough for one bottle but it depends how hungry he is!
And I can obviously only express if I'm at home and have time without visitors being around (feel more self conscious about expressing than breastfeeding because boobs are more visible).

When I was expressing I used to manage max 90ml, more commonly 60-70ml. That was when he was 1 week - 2.5 weeks old though and I hadn't breast fed at all. Used to take 10 mins each breast.

I do admire you ladies breastfeeding!

Carolann that's great.

To be fair DS has been feeding pretty much constantly since he was born (5 weeks ago tomorrow) so I think that has ensured I have a decent supply!

I managed 70ml with my electric pump this afternoon. Did feel a bit like a cow. Bit sad at the thought of someone else feeding it to her pesky hormones!

I felt exactly the same troodie and then felt silly!