July 2007 - yet starting in June!

[Jamantha]

Well, I can't see a post natal July 2007 thread, so will start this, even though Charlotte, my DD was born 4.5 weeks early in June. I'm sure the other July ladies will be along soon enough.

Have had 2 nights at home now. Yesterday afternoon was fairly distressing as Charlotte wouldn't latch on, and if she did she wouldn't suck. But have got loan of electric pump from hospital, and support from midwives and now managing with comination of breast, expressed and formula milk, sometimes all three in the same feed. Finding it quite emotional, with all the issues associated with feeding one's baby, but trying to stay calm as found out yesterday that getting self into a state doesn't help anyone.

Dh has just gone out to get some things we're still missing, and I'm putting my feet up for a bit. Phil & Ted has just arrived so we might try a stroll down to the ante natal class tonight!

Any how, hope there are lots of lovely birth stories to come from July ladies, and that we can swap advice, give each other moral support etc over the coming weeks and months.

Lula- welcome!

Little tip for sore nips- rubs some of you own milk on the nipple & then leave them exposed for a bit (yep, no bra or top!) to let it air dry- although make sure you're in a warm room! Are you happy with your DD's latching? Can you try different positions e.g. rugby ball? Good luck!

I can empathise too with the joys of juggling toddlers & newborns! I am trying to nap when (if!) my DS has a nap, but nine times out of ten DD decides to have a mammoth feed then! Otherwise am going to bed as early as poss in the eves after DS is in bed and once DD stops feeding...though not always easy as she feeds a lot in the eves! Plus if anyone is over I'm asking them to take DS out for a bit so I can rest... at a last resort a good DVD allows us all to at least chill on the sofa for a wee bit....

Latch very good but just have crack from one mis latch during night. Will try breast milk thing.

My dd does the same with mammoth feeds but have been going to bed at 8 when she sleeps.

Off for another snacking session buy little gannit.

Thanks

iNTRUDE AWAY OOPS Lulalullabye. (one hand here) Hate to sound repetitive but as mentioned earlier, if you have ANY problems bf, then get someone in to help.

NCT 0870 444 8708,
ABM 02078 131 481,
BFN 0870 900 8787,
LLL 0845 120 2918.

If your latch aint right then can cause sore nipples and less effective feeding.

I'm very lucky, my dd is 18 months and still goes to nursery on the days I used to work, so get 3 nice quiet days. Am dreading Monday, as my mum and dh have been helping out. Am going to scour the internet for mother and toddler groups to occupy her in the mornings on the other 2 days.

Kyte- well done for persevering. Sleep deprivation is so tough.

cross post sorry

I have very good independant midwives who are very supportive with the bf and dd has gained 4oz in 10 days, so I presume she is feeding well.

As for dd1, she is very unruly at the moment, and this I think is down to her daddy being here all the time. She gets constant entertainment at the mo and is not relying on entertaining herself with toys and books. I think she will get back to her normal self once he goes back to work. Double edge sword though, cause that means I will be on my own !!

Thanks for the advice.

Can I also say that I have been reading the July antenatal thread and congratulations to everybody on their arrivals and I feel for the late ones as was 40+13 when dd2 chose to arrive.

hello all, it's a roller coaster ride and ahalf.

best wishes, Kyte, sounds like you are doing your best in very difficult circumstances.

I had my mum up this week to "help". She was quite useful but I do find I am over sensitive to her comments. She used to feed every four hours for ten mins each side. Yadda yadda yadda! So she was commenting quite a lot about how "hungry" ds was. Like what difference does it make?

But when I ask about what I should do in any given situation she says "oh you are doing marvelously, he's so little, don't worry about it".

grrrrr anyway! dh and her got on well so I am v lucky. Mainly as she thinks he's wonderful coz he picks up the baby and changes his nappy.

going out - yes is v scary, I think it gets better.

Summer today!

I have a bouncy chair that we put an ikea sheepskin on, it vibrates, and ds is happy in it so i can wash and do the washing up.

Had a 3rd bad night and was a right state by the end of it. So went to the docs this morning, to see if there's anything can be done. I had a good old cry, and felt so pathetic. I mean, as I said, I've got a 7 week old baby and I'm exhausted - what was I expecting!! But he was quite nice, and had a good talk with me about stuff and I'm going back on Tues to see how it's going.

Bit annoyed at the moment though - woke her from a nap (!) to go to Baby Cafe and when we got ther it wasn't on! At least I got a hlf hour walk and she did fall asleep again in the pushchair though. But can't help thinking I could have been napping as well

It's great to read through this thread and hear about other BF/latching experiences. It's so easy to feel like I'm the only person in the world having problems (especially since my world has suddenly shrunk from a busy workplace to four walls and a baby!).

DS is 10 days old now and BF is at last settling down to something predictable and relatively painless for us both, but I'm still a wreck. Got all upset yesterday because I realised the next 6 months 'til I go back to work will consist of hours on end watching chewing-gum-for-the-eyes on TV while BFing him, and I'm dreading having to make the effort to go to mother and baby groups etc because I don't take easily to meeting new people. Also full of odd feelings like "shouldn't I feel more for him", "why can't I stop worrying about everything and enjoy him" and "help, my body's a train-wreck and I need some exercise to salve my soul but I can't even walk far because of pain from my section".

None of this was helped by a well-meaning acquaintance shouting at me while I hung the washing out yesterday: "No baby yet then?". I gritted my teeth before breezily telling her we'd been home from hospital for a week, and then running inside to weep while doing frenzied pelvic tilts.

It gets better though, right?

CBS - it does get better, even though I have had a bad week I can say it definitely does.

With you on chewing-gum tv though. Am trying to stop the feeling of my brain draining out of a hole in the back of my head by trying to be selective about what I watch. Having a hard drive recorder and freeview has really helped - can set it to record all sorts and watch at my leisure.

cbs - ive been asked twice - "you cant have long to go now?!!!!!"

DD is 3 weeks tomorrow and the first 2 weeks of feeding were agony - cracked nipples and mastitis. It has settled down now and my nipples have definitely toughened up so hang in there. Also recommend milk on the boobs and al fresco boobies. I go to bed braless and keep a thick towel over them.

mmn - also cosleeping nearly 100% of night and trying not to get anxious about bad habits and "spoiling" her as people here say all the time. It winds me up SOOO much.

I find it quite reassuring to come on mn and read about other mums feeling all those irrational anxieties. Last 2 times, I think the isolation of it has made me feel worse. So ta to you all.

CBS - i totally relate! My mind is numb anyway from the sleep deprivation, let alone me adding to it by watching rubbish telly in an effort to keep me awake whilst i feed the young man!

He's still had some pretty hairy days but i think we are beginning to manage his problems a little more now. He still writhes around in pain from his tummy but i think he understands that we are trying to help him and console him now, whereas before he would just scream blue murder as he was in so much discomfort.

I am still missing chocolate like crazy - can't believe i am on this dairy-free diet for at least 6 months! sob I just want a nutella sandwich sooooooooo bad right now, but the medication he is on and my diet change do seem to be having an effect on him so i guess it's going to be best to stick with it if it means his tummy gets a little better.

Motherhood is tough! But hopefully get smiles out of him in a couple of weeks so really looking forward to that!

Tonight the plan is for me to get an early night, going to bed upstairs, then when LO wakes for late evening feed I'll feed her and then come and sleep downstairs while DH goes upstairs with some bottles of formula and he will then look after her til morning! Hopefully that'll help me catch up on some sleep. Then tomorrow I'll take her out in the morning so that DH can have a lie in and he'll take her for the afternoon so that I can nap and/or have a nice bath. And we can repeat that again on Sunday. So hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll feel rather more human?

Also, HV came round this afternoon and we had a long chat which helped somewhat.

Kyte, really really feel for you... I could have written those words myself with DS and DD. Luckily for us the nipple shields really work- DD sounds a lot like your DS, she can latch well but comes off after a very short while, tries again, gets frustrated etc. and hence no successful feed. I was told by the BP counsellor in NNU that it was due to my nipple not hitting the roof of her mouth which is apparently what is needed to make them stay on and swallow/suck properly. My nips are fairly flat (though not really) so hence why nipple shields seem to work as they are HUGE and obviously hit the spot for DD and keep her latched on. I have been using both the usual Avent ones plus Medela contact nipple shields, which seem pretty good. Large pharmacies should stock both types. GOOD LUCK. Whatever happens do not feel like in any way a failure, you have done so well to be giving him breastmilk at all.

Jamantha- huge hugs (((( )))) Hope you do get some more rest/sleep tonight, it's amazing what even 3 hrs of fairly uninterrupted sleep can do for ones mental well-being! That and some good ol' fresh air I reckon! It does get easier I promise, these stages never last for that long... (she says hoping the same!!)

Dewmeadow- know what you mean about "spoiling them" comments- drives me mad ! They were inside us for so long, how can we really expect them to settle in a cold firm lonely moses basket straight away!! Co-sleeping never did my DS any harm, he is generally a great sleeper now, and it kept both me & him happier than if I'd kept trying to 'settle' him in his moses basket...he was very colicky and we were at our wits end. Right now DD is sleeping on her tummy in her moses basket (I really am a bad mummy) and after her next feed no doubt will fall asleep on some part of my abdomen unless I keep awake enough to shift her off! Although I have to admit I am looking forward to stretching out in my own bed with DP beside me (& no other little beings!) again at some point!!

I'm watching Grays Anatomy DVDs my friend gave me when BFing in eves, which so far are keeping me semi sane...otherwise been trying to read lots or dementedly singing strange versions of nursery rhymes to DS when BFing DD!

Good night all, sleep tight xxx

PS. All those who are BFing windy babies, try drinking fennel tea (though you might want to add honey!)- I think it really helps my DD...

well done kyte!! Honestly you deserve a medal.

Jam - hope you're feeling better after a good nights sleep

Kyte

And wow - slept from 9-11.30 in bed, then got up and fed LO, before retiring to the sofa. Slept until 6.30 uninterupted!! Then fed LO again (she'd had 90ml formula from DH in the night while I slept), had a quiet sit down on sofa while he settled her, and then had another hour's sleep in bed with DH. Feel like a new woman this morning

One of the things the HV mentioned as a positive thing for new mums to help preserve their sanity is to work some parts, however small, of the "previous life" into the new one. So this morning I'm taking my camera out on a long walk with LO while DH gets some sleep. I used to love taking photos, but haven't done so much since she was born, despite having an adorable new subject. So we're off to the local woods for fresh air, exercise (for me at least) and some photography. Hope everyone else has something nice planned for today as well.

Hi All,
Just to let you know that Grace Lola joined us at 3.08pm on Tuesday 31st! She weighed 9lb6oz and is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Quick birth story - went in to be induced at 8am on Monday. Had a pessary, which began taking effect at 3pm ish. Though - wey hey, this is it!! Had another internal - cervix still very high. After much deliberating, it was decided to leave it and re-start me first thing Tuesday morning.

So - 6.50am another pessary inserted (cervix still very high) Started taking effect 9amish. Contractions got stronger and quicker, so that by midday I told the midwife they were coming fast and I put my TENS machine on. I was monitored and then at 1pm was given another internal and was told I was 5-6cm (thay had said they would transfer me to delivery suite when 3cm). So off we went. The mw who took me said she thought baby would be here within 2-3hrs (this is my 2nd so it would be quicker)

The mw who was to deliver made it v clear she would do everything to make it a positive experience for me as my last labour and delivery had been so awful. She also had 2 big babies and said I would be fine....

Another mw and a student took over at 2.30, and they moved me onto my all fours. My waters still hadn't broken, so back was hurting. Anyway, they soon broke and the pushing began. Soon after, she was born on to the bed and I was told to sit back and pick her up myself. Dh cut the cord whilst I held her. It was all so relaxed and just such a lovely experience (though I still think childbirth is an 'unnatural' thing to out your body through) Had a tear in the same place as last time. Managed to do the whole thing using just my TENS (on first setting, cos dh couldn't work out how to change settings!) and gas / air, which is fab!

We stayed in the delivery room for a few hours after, spending time with our beautiful new daughter and showering and eating!! Felt ready to be dischraged soon after, but stayed in overnight.

Since then, all memories of painful breasts, sleepless nights and a whirlwind of emotions have all come flooding back. But, am feeling loads better today, due to the fact she slept so well last night and reamins asleep now!

Congratulations and a beautiful name.

Can I ask a question (sorry if TMI) how long does bleeding last after delivery?

Congrats Keiralou - fab birth story and welcome Grace.

Kyte - brilliant news - really delighted for you . Sorry I don't have any answers to your qs. I've heard that babies need a night feed/feeds for a few months, unless you have one that sleeps through from very early on, but can't really back that up. I think it's all down to how much their tummies can hold as well as their own disposition.

Jamantha - I think I have absorbed some of your rest/relief just from reading your post! Great that you caught up on some rest.

LO had her first flight yesterday and slept throughout and also slept for nearly 5 hours last night. Couldn't believe that happened in a 'strange' house. I also am SO lucky to have a fab DH who fed her a bottle of EBM at about 4am. He loves doing it and even though I'm kind of awake, I clearly get loads more rest than if I'm feeding her myself.

Can I join the sore nip club too? Me and LO have very mild does of thrush, so canesten being applied to bums and breasts at the mo ... lovely!

Oops Liesel - my own experience is that bleeding was pretty heavy for a few days - then period-like for about a week. I'm now 3.5 weeks and something is coming out of there, but it's not blood (sorry if TMI!). I had a very light flow after 1.5 weeks. Have heard everyone is really different though and some people can bleed for 6 weeks, some people 1 or 2.

Congratulations keiralou and welcome to Grace Lola. It sounds lie a very relaxed birth, hurray for good Midwives.

So pleased your starting to get the BF resolved Kyte, and well done for not giving up.

My DD seems to be having a couple of days of feeding constantly, she keeps coming off and I leave her for an hour but she doesn't settle properly and always seems to be slightly hungry. Am I right in thinking they can have a 2 week growth spurt? The only good think is my boobs rarely seem to be getting full so it's much comfier, I just hope I don't run out

We're also struggling to settle her at night, I've tried co-sleeping, but unless she's being held she's not happy, and if I'm holding her she keeps making half hearted attempts at feeding. Last night DP took her at 1am and sat cuddling her while I went to sleep, he put her in her carrycot at 2 and she slept till 6. I'm thinking if she can sleep that long she's obviously not hungry, just clingy.
Any suggestions?
I'm on the verge of giving her a dummy, she has no problems latching on so don't think it'll interfere. DP hates the idea, but it's me who's up half the night getting chewed on, I don't think it'll solve the clinginess though.

For those with sore nipples. I've not had problems with latching on, but the breast pads were irritating me. My SIL gave me son Lansinoh ones and they're great.
They aren't cheap, but they're much better, they don't irritate, and so absorbant that I only have to change them morning and night, I was getting through 8-10 of the others a day, so in the long run they probably will be cheaper.