February 2019 babies - thread 1

[Celebelly]

Let's go ladies! Share your tales of cluster feeding, cracked nipples, poo explosions and sleep deprivation!

@maxiflump1 - you've probably already tried it but I sometimes lay baby flat and push her legs back and forth (almost a pump motion I guess but gentle). It's so hard when they're windy x

Following the winding tips with interest as our dd has a really clicky latch and gets windy but rarely manages to bring it up. Sometimes I think she's hungry and it's just wind. She has hiccups after most feeds...

Agh feeding. We’ve improved here, scaled back on the expressing as I can now get over 3oz per boob, and have started a fridge stash. However DD is still tiring easily at the breast and defintely prefers the bottle as it’s easier so gets angry. She’s taking a BF and then a 70ml bottle... midwife on Sunday so hoping to cut back on bottles. Not offering bottle per feed anymore as I don’t want to encourage this preference anymore!!!

Other than that - a joy. We’re using Dr browns bottles and they seem to work well esp with such small feeds there’s defintely more likelihood of excess air being taken in. Pretty tired though - really hoping to come off regular bottles within the next week or so, can’t be doing with all the faff! Had our first public bench feed today though... 👌🏻

Feeding in public is hard I think at first

I’m feeling a little low at the moment - think it’s being shut away in the house a lot of the time after the section and missing normal routine plus lack of sleep. Just trying to tell myself I’ve been through this part twice before and does get better! Does anyone else find they feel a bit down of an evening? When it gets dark I seem to feel worse not sure why!

Cloud- yes I find that too. I had a emergency section on Sunday and only just ventured out the house now- only up the road to my mums but feel much better.

I hope recovery is going well for you and you feel up to getting out the house soon!!

Getting out and about makes such a difference doesn't it. I've been feeling much more myself this week as have been able to get back into my routine (well, kind of). I remember feeling massively down the first time and my recovery was awful so that's obviously why.

I hope you're feeling OK soon x

Recovery has been hard this time! Emotionally much less so though. Defintely getting out of the house helps - and the sunshine! Public feeding never bothered me - just need to practice not flashing the general public 😂 but this one tends to fight me more than my first so it’s a little more challenging...

Hope everyone has good evenings. I think we’re settling in for cluster feeds tonight. Third feed since 5pm...

My son seems to sleep a lot in day just finished another feed - started making note of when he is feeding now to make sure it’s enough - had to wake him up today to feed !

So the midwife came out again today to weigh baby m. Shes weighed every other day. We got out of hospital day before last.

Shes lost more weight. So looks like we will be re-admitted neonatal over the weekend.

This is breaking my heart 😢 espesially overhearing the mw speaking to the on call peaditrician and talking about failure to thrive.

Shes 2 weeks old now so really thought things would be getting better by now 😢

They say shes clinically presenting fine. But just not gaining weight. As shes still under 6lb they treat things more urgantly.

Aw @Notquiteagandt so sorry to read your update. It must be very frustrating for you. Are u still exclusively feeding her yourself or is she having any formula? I really hope they can figure out what is wrong and you only have a short stay.

Oh I'm so sorry @Notquiteagandt You're both having such a rough start

She is having 4x expressed milk top ups and 6- 8 formula top ups a day. On top of bf. They are saying they are sure its not a feeding issue. But then in same breath keep pushing food onto her.

Between feeding and pumping im exhausted.

Its so hard as its a fight with her because shes full. Then its the fine balance of not over feeding her as makes her sick.

I am convinced shes allergic to the formula so we are just keeping a food diary atm. In case something im eating.

But her nappies are so runny and acidic her poor bums sore. And shes constantly dribbling and throwing up.

Just want her happy healthy and fat.

@Notquiteagandt - that sounds awful, poor baby and poor you, you're doing great though. You will get to the bottom of everything soon though and I'm sure this will all just be a distant blip one day! Keep your chin up x

Sounds silly now after this but gutted as baby has slept from 10pm until 3:30am but my son has been up since 1am fussing (not sure why? Not ill but hey!) so I've been awake anyway! X

Sending lots of hugs to those of you struggling with feeding. It’s honestly one of the hardest things as we are all knackered, emotional and vulnerable.

I haven’t read your thread @maxiflump but I also ended up expressing and formula feeding with my first. I was devastated not to BF and felt like a massive failure. I spent hours and hours (and lots of money of a lactation consultant) reading up on positioning, latch, tongue tie etc and it just never worked.

My new chunky monkey who arrived on Weds is a totally different kettle of fish. He latched on straight away and all of the things I learned last time suddenly make sense. It’s actually really confidence boosting to experience this as it honestly is the case that babies are all different. I’ve also been mixed feeding with formula after each feed. Am going to start expressing as my milk has just come in but very keen to keep combing breast and bottle as I am not hard enough to exclusively breastfeed.

Also, thanks for tips on managing tears and how to dress baby @yakadee. I’ve had mixed messages from the NHS about having a bath so will check with the midwife today - I’m desperate for one!

@notquiteagandt oh lovely I’m so sorry to hear she’s struggling still. I’m sure it’s heartbreaking. Sending lots of love, I really hope she breaks the cycle soon xx

Notquiteagandt- so sorry to hear your struggle. Sending you love and I'm sure before you know it, you'll both be thriving

Amber rose- glad you're finding it easier this time round. No one ever tells you how hard it is! But sounds like you're doing well

@Leafy2018 have you checked for tongue tie? A clicky latch and lots of gas are both signs of it.
My little boy has a slight tongue tie and gets quite a lot of wind, but so far I find keeping him upright on my chest after feeding is clearing most of it. I’ve also found side feeding gets a better latch and means less gas anyway.

My son also has tongue tie altho his feeding doesn't seem too affected as he is gaining weight last time he was checked. His feeding so far doesn't seem different to his 2 older brothers who don't have tongue tie

I think his tongue tie us quite mild tho

Was there a fb group for this site too??

@Alicejj8x yes there is a lovely FB group, I've told the admins you'd like to join... X

@Alicejj8x pm Sarah aka FrowningFlamingo on MN with your email address and she'll add you x

@camsie30 can I join too?