Waddling Whale Baby Club

[GastonsWife]

A place for us ladies to carry on our discussions now our little ones are here 👶🏻. Hope you all find this ok!

Hi all, sorry for the radio silence. Been bedding down at home in a new nocturnal world! Baby is doing well, but I've been trying to cope with the pain of breastfeeding (massive shooting pain in left boob- has the same last time) and dealing with cluster feeding midnight - 6am. So sleeping in the day as best I can. Breastfeeding feels finally bit better today, but the night cluster feeding is a killer!

How is everyone getting on? Just catching up all the news. I think we have all the babies here now.. just wonderful 🍼

Lion I don't think I have said congratulations yet! Well done you

TopKitty I had mastitis 3 times with DS1. All the advice you have been giving about feeding through it sounds spot on. The only thing I would say is, I really wish I had taken antibiotics, I soldiered on not taking it, and the milk supply was never the same in that boob. So as soon as you get any flu symptoms then take them. Also rest, rest because it made me feel so incredibly ill I couldn't get out of bed the second time I had it. This is the best website ever for all things BF related:
kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/

Peanut don't get me started about visitors. It nearly finished me off with DS1. We had literally loads in first few days. This time I've only had immediate family and have said no one else for 2 weeks! Not gone down well with DH extended family but I don't care, it's too much. I haven't got out my Pjs today and I don't want the pressure of having to get dressed and things.

So tomorrow it's our first trip out, just to the post office and possible coffee if it goes well. I know I have done it before, but I'm strangely nervous. I've I tried been outside since we left the hospital!

We're doing well, had out first proper trip out for lunch today and she behaved beautifully so looking forward to getting out a bit more over DH's final few days of paternity leave.

Kitty I've also been struggling with mastitis the last few days. I thought I'd managed to feed through it but then today it can back further around the breast. Have been checking my temperature and it's at the top end of normal so I may call the doctor in the morning rather than continue to fight it.

Peanut I hear you on the visitor front! Luckily I'm well enough to take them, but DD gets so easy overstimulated at this stage and it takes forever to settle her again when they go

Thanks for the link DirtyDancing

My boob feels much better today and the inflammation is going down. Hopefully I caught it early enough.

Peanutbutter - I'm sorry you're struggling with it too. It makes feeding so painful, doesn't it. I hope yours clears soon too.

DirtyDancing - my DD is cluster feeding but thankfully in the evening. After a week of her sleeping in her Moses basket she just wanted to sleep on me last night, so not much sleep for me.

Glad you're feeling better Kitty! I used my electric pump after each feed today and already starting to feel much better.

How are we all? Anyone doing anything nice today? My parents are

Still finding our feet. Conor is sleeping well one day and not great the next! Seems to be getting a lot of trapped wind and trying to help him pop off sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Have changed formula so will see does that do anything?

Went for a walk earlier and got pissed on and takes about 10 hours to get out of the house! Oh going back to work on Tuesday which I'm dreading as he's been a great help and we don't have much other support. I'm sure we will get in our own little routine!

I'm a bit anxious about going out on our own but I need to nip that in the bud as don't want to start losing my confidence!

Hey peanut my DH back to work on Tuesday too, dreading it!! My mum has come to stay for the week though so won't really be on my own til the week after.
Really struggling here with very fussy baby overnight - having problems with burping too. Shes exclusively BF but does seem to get a lot of wind and I really struggle to burp her well. It's so hard when you're up for an hour and a half each time with them in the night doing a feed, nappy change, winding then they only go down for 20 mins before kicking off just a youre falling asleep again finding things pretty tough at the moment. I just can't comprehend how you're ever meant to get babies to settle and sleep in the actual bloody crib???!

Good idea about getting out and about asap to boost your confidence, think I need to do the same

Hi ladies,
Another one here struggling with a windy baby. Our little one just wouldn't settle last night. I also struggle burping which then leads to trapped wind.
I've been googling like a crazy woman to find a miracle cure but nothing seems to work so far.

It's our last day with DH before he goes back to work tomorrow. Eeek - we'll be flying solo!

DH started back to work this morning, which meant I was trying to let him sleep last night and take care of all the changes etc myself - definitely harder without any help!

Conor doesn't get any wind immediately and goes ape shit when I stop to try and wind him! He's a guzzler like his dad drinking a pint of Guinness!

Even this morning I haven't got further than feeding, changing him, peed everywhere so changed his clothes! Managed to have my breakfast & that's it! He is on me as we speak! Just going to have to chill out and go with the flow!

If he lets me put him on my lap and push his legs gently into his tummy he pops off and if I massage his tummy sometimes this works.

When the parents came yesterday evening he spent most of the 3 hours crying on and off. Does this mean he is colic?

My Mam smokes and after holding him she went out my back tinkering around and I went out and she was smoking! Really annoyed! Came in and she didn't even wash her hands! I held Conor the rest of the time! She doesn't see the big deal as smoked on all 5 of us and 'sure aren't you are fine'

Still haven't got baby marmite down for the night yet, well she slept for about 35 mins after last feed but I couldn't get to sleep as DH snoring so loudly Trying not to wake him as he's back to work tomorrow We've had two fairly explosive poos so far plus a lot of feeding and wind too. Have started using infacol today which does seem to help get the wind up.

How are you getting on Kitty and peanut are you having your first nights of doing it all before your OHs goes back to work tomorrow too?

How was your first day solo peanutbutter?

Do other people find they are just starving during night feeds? What are other people snacking on?!

Morning all,

marmite - I hope you managed to get your LO to sleep and managed to get some sleep yourself.

Yes, it was our first night doing all the night feeds alone. DH actually slept downstairs (we don't have a spare room) to make sure he got some sleep.
We managed ok but I feel shattered, my LO is currently feeding so I'm hoping she'll go back to sleep when she's done and I can get another hour or so of sleep.

Peanut - that must be annoying that your mum isn't listening to you. It's hard when that sort of thing happens.

Hope the night got better after your post marmite!

She was pretty well behaved for most of the day, and I even managed one nap while she was asleep, but it still felt sooo long. I was very pleased to hand her over when DH walked through the door!

Hey there - hope you got some rest although I'm not sure how this nap when they nap business works. I'm not a napper so find it really hard to sleep for short period of times.

Went to bed around 12pm and Conor didn't wake up 4am which was amazing except that I was awake for most of the night! Trying to listen out for his hunger cues as it's easier feeding him etc

He woke again around 6am and tried to go back until 7.30 and just got up then as we both weren't sleeping!

Managed to get a few bits done but I'm still not showered, changed or my teeth are not washed! Total scummy person.

Watching big little lies when I can! It's bloody brilliant. Anyone watching it? Devastated I'm near the end and hope there will be another season!

Ordered an ergo adapt sling - anyone got one?

Nope unfortunately it was a bad night last night, well not great anyway - she managed a total of 2 hours sleeping time in her crib... she really is a Velcro baby! Even during the day she hates being put down to sleep, she just screams then I think gets really overtired?! The only reliable way to get her to sleep is in the sling. I only read yesterday how much daytime sleep newborns are supposed to get she's been getting nothing like that ... I naively never thought about this just thought babies would go to sleep themselves when tired! So think a lot of her fussiness is probably coming from being so overtired?! It would be so much easier if she would sleep in the pram and could take her for a walk to get her to sleep a bit in the day..
how's everyone else getting on with sleeping in the daytime?!?

Tonight has been a better night though - she's had a decent chunk in the crib! (So of course I had to keep waking up to check she was still breathing ha haa)

Glad the first days generally went ok. DH missed E so much yesterday bless him so cute. So glad my mum is here for these few days - can't imagine how I would get myself washed dressed or fed otherwise!! You're not a scummy person at all peanut just a total normal new mummy doing an amazing job! As we all are!

Haven't got an ergo we've just got a stretchy wrap type sling at the moment and have just ordered an Izmi baby carrier which saw at a baby show few months ago and thought it looked really good - sort of a cross between s stretchy wrap and soft buckle carrier.

What's Big little lies? Not come across it but need something new to watch after just finishing all 4 seasons of Line of Duty - soooo good!

How's everyone else feeling recovery wise? I'm still feeling very bruised from the forceps and episiotomy getting frustrated but need to remember it'll take a while I guess, I still can't walk very fast or as far as I'd like anyone else the same?

Hello everyone, how are you all doing?
Apologies for radio silence, mini Mycat has been keeping me busy!
We are doing ok, he's now 1 month old. We were getting into a nice rhythm of feeding every 3 hours pretty much on the dot, then settling very quickly in his Moses basket afterwards so I was getting 6 hours sleep a night in 2 hour blocks. So ,we thought we'd cracked the sleeping thing, but then he got a cold. 🙁. Now he barely sleeps for 40 minutes st a time day or night as he's so snuffly. Not only is DH back at work, but he works away in the week so I'm flying solo and getting seriously sleep deprived, so not easy doing it all on your own.
Peanut I've got an Ergo Cool Air and it's great. Mini Mycat is a bit of a Velcro baby but is happy in the Ergo and it's comfortable so at least I can get a few things done with both hands free. I'm finding it a bit tricky to get him into it when I'm on my own with the newborn insert in it, but I'm guessing it gets easier with practice.
Ah, my 40 minutes is up-cue snuffles followed by screaming- hope you're all getting a bit more sleep these days.

My little but head woke up at 3.45am for a feed and it's nearly an hour later I put him down and then 45 mins after putting him down he wakes as if he has never been fed!! My thing is I find it so hard to sleep in between feeds and when he is making all his grunt noises.

Got Ewan the sheep and he does like it but does my fucking head in and then having to put it back on as some gobshite thought 20 mins was long enough

Marmite I thought the same when I reds how much they should sleep. Only way little man gets that is if he is on me. Keep having to remind myself that this is the fourth trimester and he still thinks he is in the womb and then I feel guilty!!

The ergo adapt doesn't have a newborn insert as you don't need one. Came two days ago but I'm a chicken to try and do it on my own. Will tackle it the weekend

Big little lies is amazing check it out. Based on a book. I finished it over 2 days

Marmite I'm the same - had forceps and episiotomy and even though I'm 4 weeks on it still can be painful if i sit for a long time and get up. Not taking pain killers but am still sitting on the ring. Went for a walk on our own the other day and i was wrecked after 25 minutes and came home

A good friend of mine popped over yesterday and she said that we need to show ourselves (well me but I'm passing it onto you guys) compassion after just having a baby. And to say to ourselves when we are giving ourselves a hard time 'what would you say back to your friend' - if you are like me I can be my worst critic

Peanut - what your friend said is absolutely right, every time I start to beat myself up about the undone housework / laundry / whatever, I have to remind myself that DD is not even 3 weeks old yet. And at that age I'd be encouraging any of my friends to let everything go and just focus on feeding and getting to know their LO. Always easier to give advice to others than take it yourself though, right?!

Marmite - my stitches seem to have healed up, but I'm definitely not feeling totally myself yet. My body is quick to tell me with heavier bleeding if I've tried to do to much and need to rest up.

We managed to get through last night with just two wake ups at 1am and 4:30am. And after a quick feed at 6 she's sleeping peacefully next to me now. It was so nice to get something like a proper night's sleep, although I'm sure it won't last!

Had a really rough day yesterday! Think Conor has colic. Lots of crying and seems to be in pain. Anyone any experience of this? Going to ring the doctor today as it's been going on a while now!

Think my sleep deprivation came to a head yesterday and I just couldn't stop crying! Then felt so guilty! The most he slept on his own was 45 minutes unless he was on me! I've had trouble with sleep before baba came along but find it so hard to switch off and sleep when he is beside me. I'm expressing and ff - do you guys just wake up when you hear him or set your alarm? I'm constantly looking at him as prefer him not to cry. Oh just waits until he hears him and then gets the bottle like early this morning and Conor was crying so I went into him to calm him down. Oh just says babies cry but I can't bear it - any advice? Sometimes he wants a feed every 2 hours, could be 3 and the odd time 4 hours. I don't want to wake him for a feed.

My shoulders and back are killing me already - anyone any tips on feeding positions?

We got infacol so let's see if that helps the poor little cricket! Changed his teats to a slower flow and doing plenty of massage / when he lets me!

Oh didn't get home until 7pm but he took over and did the feeds last night even though he was in work today! I feel much better as I got a decent kip!

Sorry for long post - was just really struggling yesterday

How are ye all getting on? Please someone tell me I'm not alone

Hi sorry for radio silence, I've literally battened down the hatches and just been on a cycle of feeding an sleeping where I can.

Peanut I really, really feel for you. My first, DS was a Velcro baby for 4 months. I don't tell you that to scare you, but to say I've been through it. Around the same time as you, I felt broken. Completely ached from head to toe and the house was a mess and I felt like I couldn't cope. This time round this little lady seems to be happy to be put down more. Do I think it's something I have done differently? Nope, I honestly believe it's luck of the draw. She did sleep on me all night last night, and wouldn't be put down, but she slept in her Moses basket downstairs with Dad from 9-12 in the evening and is having her morning nap in her Snuzpod. It's a world of difference from last - it was exhausting.

The only thing I can suggest is: do give her to your DH for at least one 'session' at night. He may be going to work, but he can hold her between feeds for an and hour or two. It gives you a break to lie down and rest your back. This time we have used a sleepyhead and I swear it has helped her settled better. Also try and pop your little one down from time to time. They may wake up, but at least give it a go for a few minutes. We have a bean bag thing we put in the microwave and warm her bed first. Also have you got a play mat/ play gym? Again some awake play time, and 1-2 minutes of tummy time help them get used to not being held, even if it's not sleep related. Some babies don't like tummy time, so build up very gradually if yours doesn't. I'm putting her down when I can, 5 minutes on a pillow here, 30 mins walk in the pram etc.

Other than that, I hate to say it, but you have to go with it. Read up on the forth trimester.. it explains why your little one is so clingy.

Make sure you have enough soft cushions to get as comfortable as you can at night. Do have a break in the night and hand baby to Hubby. Do NOT worry about the house work, unless you find it stresses you out more, then I'd say pop baby in a sling and do the minimum (dishwasher unloading and eating are my two important ones!)

Good luck. There is a phrase I used a lot with no1.. "this too is a phase and will pass". Honestly, your little one will sleep on their own soon, this time is tough but good days are ahead and it does get easier.. xxxx

Thanks dirty dancing for replying. Makes me feel a bit better. had a better day today as got good sleep last night. Oh did the night feeds. Conor is also in better form today. Did skin to skin for 3 hours and he always seems better for it!

The infacol might be working - fingers crossed! As soon as I say something is working I feel like I jinx it!

Managed to go for a walk - he didn't sleep but didn't cry either.

Have the sleepyhead and snuzpod too think they are amazing! That's a lovely thing to do with the bean bag must do that!

He's been crying more or less for the last 2 hours and is now asleep on me but nowhere as bad as yesterday.

Where do your little ones nap? Bedroom or sitting room? I'm mainly in our sitting room so just bring down the bits for him to sleep in.

Peanut glad you had a better day. How are things now?

I've just come across this organisation in my baby book: www.cry-sis.org.uk

It seems to be a charity to help those with babies that cry excessively, or have sleep issues or colic etc

The stated aims remain 'to be efficient and effective in providing self-help and support to families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies'. To achieve this, Cry-sis runs a national telephone helpline that is available to callers every day of the year between 9.00am and 10.00pm. Callers are referred to a trained volunteer member of Cry-sis who has had personal experience of crying or sleep problems within their own family.

Hi dirty great link to cry-sis, I would have loved something like that with DS who cried a LOT in the early days. The other advice from your pp is great too, may be stealing a few of those ideas for myself
peanut just wondered if you've tried feeding whilst you're both laying down? Might help avoid some of the back & shoulder pain?
Hope everyone and their bairns are well! X

Hi guys just popping on to say I fell off the thread for a while - this parenting malarkey is very full on!! Looks like it's been the same for most others as thread has gone very quiet! It would be a shame for it to fizzle out though.

Having a quite challenging time baby marmite is still very clingy and putting her down to sleep is still very hit and miss. She also struggles so badly with wind it's heartbreaking seeing her in pain and she gets so so upset. Doing all the different methods of burping, baby massage, bicycle legs etc... also using infacol but not sure if it's actually doing much - anyone else using infacol /struggling with wind?

She's still very possety after feeds as well so feeding takes a long time as got to keep her upright for at least half hour after each feed.. struggle with that especially during the night feeds. And in the afternoons/evenings she wants to feed almost every hour !!

Thank you for the link to cry-sis dirty i may have a look at that myself.

How is everyone else getting on?