February 2019 babies - thread 2

[Celebelly]

New thread, ladies!

@sickmumma. I was rubbish at expressing so never really had that option. I was initially told to BF for 10 mins each boob and then offer 50ml of formula at every feed. This seemed way too much for DD as she was getting really distressed and was occasionally being sick. I called maternity triage and was told that they had no idea why that volume was suggested (the volume was at the recommendation of a paediatrician!) and to reduce the formula top up to every other feed. As my supply grew I then tried to offer formula twice - once at night and once in the morning. Unfortunately by this time baby A was so used to the ease of formula that she just wouldn’t work for the breast milk and ending up screaming each time I tried to feed her.

She is currently on the 9th percentile and seems to put on weight a little slower than some babies but she is doing well - very alert, playful and happy so I’m not too worried.

I hope that you find something that works for you and baby soon as feeding can be stressful!

@sickmumma My daughter is 9lb14 at 12 weeks. There was a bit of concern because she dropped two centile lines since her two week weigh in, but she's started to follow the 9th centile line so they're happier. Nobody has suggested formula top ups here! I've had really good breastfeeding support. I was advised to always offer the second side (even if that means changing her nappy in between). They also suggested breast compressions. So once the sucking slows down give your breast a squeeze and hold until sucking stops. Squeeze again when baby starts sucking again. The idea is just to get a few extra ml in every feed (same as a top up I guess!).

@sickmumma the important thing if you're topping up but want to get back to ebf is to express each time you give formula. It doesn't matter if you express less than you're giving in formula because you'll still be stimulating your breasts to produce more milk. We've been topping up with ebm or formula since day 5 due to continued weight loss. DS was the same weight at one month as he was at one week because of all his continued weight losses. As a result he was on three top ups of 7oz each at one point. There was no way I could express that much. He's now almost 15 weeks and we're down to one 6oz top up. It's ebm if I've built up enough or formula otherwise. It's definitely not been easy but top ups don't have to be the end of breast feeding (it's taken me a while to learn this one). I'm hoping we'll be in a position to drop the last bottle soon but I'm in no doubt that top ups stopped us being hospitalised. I can't give any advice about the anxiety but I just wanted you to know that top ups can be ok.

Second what @mummymummymummummum said about breast compressions. They helped us.

@sickmumma

We are still skimming the bottom 0.4 percentile line but a gains a gain. Everyone seems really happy with her. (Although a paed report did discribe her as failure to thrive weight 😭 which broke my heart)

Dd stayed static weight wise for 2 weeks from birth after a 13% loss so was topping up her feeds. Weirdly once stopped she started gaining. I think she was being over fed so it was coming back up.

Her weight gains also improved since shes had her tt snipped. Have you had them accessed?

You are doing well to express. I couldnt and had to use donor milk. I think I expressed more tears than milk. The more I stressed less I got. I was lucky to get a couple of ml. It was easily the most stressfull time of my life. So I feel you. But sounds like you have got this 💪🏽

For those of you who are formula feeding - how often does your little one feed? Baby A is so fussy at the moment that I’m lucky if she feeds every 3-4 hours during the day. She has her last bottle around 9.30pm and then sleeps until 6am most nights. I’m thankful that she is such a good sleeper but once she wakes and has her morning bottle then it’s a struggle to get her to feed the rest of the day. She is teething at the moment so not sure if that is the problem? She used to feed every 3 hours during the day and made it obvious that she was hungry. Now I need to try a bottle every 3-4 hours in order to get her to eat. She sometimes completely turns her nose up at it, has a nap and then eventually will take her bottle. Just concerned that she isn’t feeding enough? She usually takes 6oz per feed and seems happy and content?!?

That sounds like plenty @bubblybrit
My little girl has five 6oz bottles a day (but rarely finishes any of them) - 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 21:30, 05:00 is approximately what I aim for.

We're having bad nights at the moment 😭 she used to sleep 10-9, just stirring a few times for her dummy and having a bottle at about 5/6. Now she seems to be waking at about 2/3 and not really settling properly until we cave in and give her a bottle (try to wait til 5 but it's been more like 3/4 recently). She obviously wants her bottle (and won't have water - I've tried that!!) but I don't think she's really that hungry. She doesn't drink much of her bottle like she used to when she had it later on. Is this just typical leap behaviour which I've got to patiently wait to pass? (three weeks to go) She's also being so much more fussy feeding in the day. Screams and refuses to drink unless I'm standing up and rocking her. My back isn't enjoying it!!

Oh detachablehoof weirdly my DS1 went through a phase like that (fussy feeding) around 3 months old. It was a nightmare, he went from having 6oz bottles no problem to starting to fuss after about 3oz, not wanting more but then he'd be hungry. We ended up switching from the Tommee Tippee anti colic bottles to the Dr Browns and suddenly it was resolved. Weird phase though.

My DS2 is FF now and has 5 or 6 bottles in 24 hours depending on wake up time. Ideally he has 5, around 6:30, 10:30, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:45-8pm. He has 6-7oz.

I've just seen a February 2020 thread in antenatal clubs!!! That was us a year ago! Crazy.

Thanks ladies! You have put my mind at ease. I always get overly worried when it comes to feeding as baby A had such a dramatic weight loss in the early days and I feel that she is still playing catch up.

Anyone still having c section pain? It's been nearly 12 weeks and I'm still getting sharp pain internally when I bend over. Also the worst farts ever.

@DeliberatelyGinger 16.5wks in and I am slowly getting some feeling back in my middle. Havent had much pain so far due to be completely numb. However they stitched me up too tight (had scan for lump this is what they said) I now feel like a tight pulling feeling to the point almost feel like ill rip. And I still have zero core strength. I cant lie on my front either. Which is annoying.

So not so much pain but deffiantly aware of it and feel it.

@DeliberatelyGinger - 17 weeks here and no pain for a long time now. My stomach is now 'back' too which is much. I'd maybe get checked out if you're worried although I hear it can take some time to be fully healed x

Is anyone going through the teething stage? My husband seems to think ours is but I'm sceptical as she's only 13 weeks but her gums are bumpy with white spots and the teething powder does seem to be settling her.

@1stTimeTina. Yep. My DD has been teething since 12 weeks. She dribbles loads, is more irritable, hands in mouth constantly and has white lumpy gums. The teething powders work ok but I’ve had to give her calpol on the really bad days. She is 15 weeks now and don’t think any teeth will appear soon but she definitely has all the early symptoms.

@DeliberatelyGinger my c section area does hurt if I've overdone it. It's kind of like a dull ache rather than a sharp pain but is not constant.

We've just got the jumparoo out of the attic and Max is very happy bouncing away in it. Would definitely recommend for those that don't have one!

Jabs round 3 this morning 😩

So glad that's it now until they're 1! X

@Yakadee. I’m just waiting on the surgery posting out our appointment time. Like you I’ll be glad when these jabs are over! Hope your little one is ok x

@bubblybrit - thanks. She's fine so far but tonight will prob be a better picture. She was pretty good with her first lot so hoping she'll be OK. She's having a good sleep now x

@Yakadee. Glad to hear that she seems to be doing ok so far. Long may it continue. My DD was fine with her first and second jabs so fingers crossed for the same again x

@bubblybrit - Yeah, Emma wasn't too bad either so 🤞.

She's still fine so far. Just keeping her topped up with calpol as the nurse said x

@Yakadee. That’s good that she is settled. I’ll need to get some calpol prior to her appointment! Good reminder x

Ooh my little one's second jabs are tomorrow, I'll have to check where the Calpol is.Thanks for the reminder.
@Notquiteagandt sounds like you've had it tough!

No pain here and have been running again. It can take a long while to heal though.

Teething wise - also have early signs here but nothing that requires calpol / powder yet. She’s so bloody chilled though 😂 jabs are next Monday and I have a v busy week so I’m hoping she’s ok!

@Since2016 - sounds similar here on the teething front. Used a bit of anbesol last week but seems to have settled down this week. She's also very chilled thankfully.

Still ok following yesterday's jabs, slept through (still asleep now) and didn't hear a peep in the night. Fingers crossed your lo's are OK x