August 2007- More boys than girls? Our beautiful summer babies are arriving at last!

[bananabump]

Thought I'd start a thread to give somewhere for Jem, Washersaurus and Bresha to discuss their little ones and make all those of us waiting impatiently jealous!

Who will be next??????

Congratulations Itchy glad it all went well for you hope you are taking it easy.

Sounds like we are all enduring the same early day joys of late night feeding frenzies. DS2 has been in our bed since he came home think I've only got him to settle in the moses basket twice at night. It's not too bad at the moment although very crowded when DS1 gets up in the morning and joins us in bed

Feeding is going well - had my first leaky boob yesterday and not sure if it happened whilst I was at nursery collecting DS1 or after but only spotted it when I got home - that'll teach me for going out without Breastpads in

Growing - thanks for the Arnica reminder I have forgotten to take it but could really do with it to help with the swelling around the stitches. I can't remember from DS1 how long it took for me to feel normal down below again. I had a similar tear with DS1 although it wasn't as bad this time.

Congratulations Itchy! Lovely babe, glad the CS was a "good" experience, love the pink pram, and v of the sunshine up in Scotland!

just catching 5 minutes while babe sleeps much as i like her sleeping in the day - night would be better, instead of the mad feeding frenzy! Do you think warm breastmilk tastes nicer at night?!!

I have milk everywhere - so its a muslin stuffed down the bra on the non feeding side, then one tucked under the boob that is feeding - not subtle in this house, couldn't really do the whole going out and feeding thing!! I know I shouldn't complain, but I had to wash 4 feeding bras yesterday, which does get a bit depressing - esp in this crappy weather

Oh yes - DH has invited Sil and her DH down for the BH weekend.... WE are paying for their hotel (???????!) because I refused to drag us up to Lancs for the w/e with a 1 week old baby........ he had set it up and booked it before even discussing it with me. He has just gone back to work and its lovely and quiet here!!

Hi stretch and GBP and anyone else out there

Ha that will teach me to brag about my sleeping baby, she kept us up 11pm - 4am fretting, feeding, winding, pooing, crying etc.. she was having trouble latching, i was in agony with nipples, couldn't hand express and sore belly..

agghh. midwife came to do the heel prick blood test thing and weigh today. made me perfect the rugby tackle hold or whatever it is..

for the nipples I've been trying to squeeze bit of milk out, let that dry on the nipple, then huge blob of lansinoh, covered with a cold bashed (to release enzymes) savoy cabbage leaf (see photo!), I'm using the lansinoh pads inbetween too and it's true they do stick a little

midwife today said it'l take about 10 days for boobs to settle down and that next week babe's 10 day growth spurt wll probably confuse them again

ooh just reading down the list and banana described exactly the kind of night we just had, feeding for 10 mins, nodding off to sleep, waking and crying etc..

I also agree v much with uki that it's brilliant to get lo immediately used to going off to sleep alone. I got trapped in a horrible bedtime routine with ds1 that lasted years, bloody singing and back rubbing and trying to tiptoe out of the room only to see the eyes spring open at the sound of the door handle. I'm sure it all started with him getting used to falling asleep at the boob

Afternoon everyone
Big congrats itchyscratchy- love the pram!
Just doing a quick catch up while Hannah sleeps (well, lies in her moses basket and whimpers). Just been feeding on and off for last 2 and half hours so think I deserve a break! (should be sleeping really).
Still having the same night time dramas as everyone else. I wish I could push the pram around all night, that would get her to sleep.
Better go!

same here, was up all night with James feeding every half an hour or so, crying every time I tried to put him in his moses basket. I have dp on the other side moaning when I put baby in bed with us because "he can't get comfortable" (he drops off as soon as his head hits the pillow and snores all night long, I don't think it's affecting his sleep)

So I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Crying baby all night long (literally, I didn't get any sleep til 8.30am) or shitty argumentative partner. grrr

Hello, hello !!!

found you all. Just said a quick hi on the ante-natal thread but am thinking I should probably stick my tin hat on on this one. Paddy has slept through (midnight - 7am) breastfeeding has been a bit of a struggle, even Betty described him as 'a challenge' to her but we seem to be through the other side. Milk's well and truly in now and his routine really seems to work for us. Will stop showing off now I promise as you know it never lasts!!

Hi Ladies sorry I haven't been on all week, I've just not had the time, trying to get into some sort of routine with house and DC but not working out, I'm not trying to get DD into a routine yet as she is still to little for that but the house work, DS and so on, and trying to get some good sleep isn't working. My appetite isn't good I'm having to remind myself to eat and when I do I feel sicky but hoping that will past soon. HV came on Tuesday Connie now is 9lb 14oz she put on 7oz's in 4 days she loves her food, bless (9-1 at birth, 8-15 5days, 9-7 10days, 9-14 14days)! My mother is having my DS's over the weekend I hope it gives DH and I time to ourselves, and time to get to know our DD without making DS's feel left out! Also a big day tomorrow seeing my mother for the first time in 2 years, she's coming to see DD for the first time, I hope it goes okay I don't think I'm emotionally ready for a confrontation, if one comes about, we'll see!

Uki The 3 DC doesn't bother me it's been fine, it's like she always been apart of our life's, (she has been plan since 2004 and TTC her for 18months) and DS's adore her so, bless, it's the looks we get from others when out and about with 3DC, people look down on us we are only 26 and have 3 DC (DS#1 when I was 18). We only ever wanted 3 DC so DH has already gone to the doctors about having the snip rather him then me LOL!

Babymadxx

Hi guys, glad bf is going well, tt! Last night was a bit of a nightmare, James was just feeding constantly and really screaming when he was put down. My breasts felt empty and it felt like he wasn't getting anything because he was almost frantic. In the end we decided that we should try him with some formula, so we made up a bottle for him (just 90mls) and tried him with it. He absolutely wolfed it down, he must have been starving!

Afterwards he lay there so content and sleepy, and I felt a mixture of happiness that he wasn't hungry and upset any more, and disappointment in my lack of milk. I seem to have loads in the morning but by nighttime they just feel empty, and that's when he starts cluster feeding.

Anyway he slept from 11.30pm to 4.30am (bliss!) and when he woke up he had a really good feed and fell back asleep til 8.30am. In his moses basket both times!

So I think we might start to give him a bottle before bed, since it took the pressure off both of us. Daddy fed him so I got 20 guilt-free mins to myself (which I spent glamorously on the loo with a copy of Heat lol)

Is anybody else supplementing with formula? I didn't really want to but I can't leave him to go hungry, especially since he's dropped from 7lb 2oz to 6lb 7oz. Bah.

Bananabump - did you buy a breast pump? Its normal for your breasts to feel empty in the evening, and then miracuously they fill up over night! If you have a pump, then try expressing a couple of ounces from the unfed breast (or less fed breast) each time you feed him in the morning (maybe 1 st 2 feeds) do this for at least a week - your body will respond and make more milk, and you will have expressed milk to top up in the evening. You can gradually build up how much you express and then DP can ffed James as well - you also need to icnrease your fluid intake (try a pint of water EACH FEED), and rest!! Let DP give DS the bottle, and SLEEP. Your body needs it.

You don't have a lack of milk -your body just thinks its found the right amount to produce each day -and it needs adjusting.

Thanks for the advice, bagpuss, I appreciate it, this feels like a minefield! I'm determined to keep breastfeeding but I don't want J to suffer while my boobs sort themselves out! I think your advice sounds good though, I'll try it before trying nightly formula feeds. I'm sure you're right, it's just hard to have faith in the old girls, especially since you can't see what you're producing.

I think you're right about not drinking enough too, I've been headachy and dry mouthed for the past couple of days, and (sorry, tmi) very constipated. I know it sounds stupid but I just didn't think, it makes sense now you've said it! duh...

Right, off to drink a gallon of water and a pound of oats!

its hard to find time for yourself - when the babe is asleep there is always a huge list of things to do - by making sure that a pint of squash/ water is on your list of things you need for a feed, you will be more likely to drink it - my list is, 2 muslins (1 for each side), spare breast pads, Lanisoh, squash, telephone (s)

I have finally managed to get some washing done today that looks like it might dry! Sad but true.

And.... saddest of all, i am really enjoying choosing outfits for my little girl. we have been given some lovely (v summer-y) outfits, and i am trying to make sure they all get used before teh 2nd hand ones!! She looks so cute (but I was like this with DS too...!!)

Hi all. It's getting quite busy on here now. Have been busy feeding ds on and off. He had 2 mammoth feeding sessions yesterday. Thank god for the nipple shields. The midwife was worried yesterday about his poo still being green and said he may not be getting enough hind milk.

Went to Bluewater yesterday to buy some lanisoh. Couldn't believe it cost £10!!! I spent the whole time there hoping ds didn't wake up so I didn't have to feed him there.

I went to see an NCT bf counsellor today who showed me the right way to latch ds on. I put him on the most sore side and it didn't hurt anywhere near as much as it has done. Let's hope it starts to get better now.

Congrats TT and itchy. Tried to look at your pics itchy but the pc won't let me. Glad you are besotted with your lo.

Banana, I'd go with GrowingBP's advice. The stats are something like only one in a million women don't produce enough milk, so the chances of you being that one are pretty small. If you need more reasurance I'd get in touch with a bf counsellor either on the phone or ask one to come around.

Gill, glad you've got your latch sorted! I didn't make it to the baby cafe yesterday so think I will go next week, just to get them to check.

Seemed like DD fed all night last night. She slept all day yesterday and I had to keep waking her for feeds and she's done the same today so it looks like it might be another bad night for us but know that this time will pass soon and she's worth it!

Hi TT - congratulations on little Paddy . Have had my fingers crossed for you - hope it all went okay - you sound delightfully blissed out with your new boy. Post more when you've time - I'm the same, find it hard to get online properly these days in between visits, breastfeeding and catching up on stuff when the baby is sleeping...

Big congrats too, Itchy - really pleased you had a good experience with your c-section and a lovely baby at the end!

Mixed night here - dream of a day, Evie fed, and slept really well, and at the "right" times for a gentle introduction of a routine. I'm trying v hard not to open my "bible", as I think she is a little small but I know how well it worked for DS, so it is v tempting. Anyway...

Went to settle her to sleep at 7.30, and all hell broke loose - knees tightly up to tummy, screaming, wouldn't latch on for a feed, but seemed to be permaently searching for food..... uhoh..... Eventually thought I'd settled her around 8.30. Got 5 mins to start tea, and she was off again..... finally she settled around 9.45. DH and I took turns in eating tea. .... Bit of colic I guess. She gets a faceful of milk when I feed her, and swallows lots of air, so it has to go somewhere!1

She woke again at 12 ish, quick feed, straight back to sleep (in her cot yea!!) woke at 5.30. Not bad. REally need a shower now, as I'm getting hot sweats at night through hormones. Smelly!!!!!!

DH in bathroom, so can't have a shower til he gets out.. hope I don't loose my window of opportunity!1

Sil and partner arrived midnight at hotel... so v loooong w/e ahead.

Hello - just posted an update on the antenatal thread but this seems to be the right place for us now. The short version: baby Adam was born 15 August by C-section after a lot of natural labour (well, it felt like a lot to me anyway). He was 9lbs, and 57 cm long. Despite the unexpected section we're all really happy with how things went and he is doing brilliantly, feeding well etc. Cord stump fell off today!

Will try to catch up prpoerly between next few feeds - I've just skimmed the messages below really quickly. I think he is starting that growth spurt banana mentioned - seems to want lots of milk today. I was hoping to start expressing soon, as per suggestion made below by growingbagpuss - so that we can top up but also because I'd like DP to have a chance to feed him occasionally. However, the midwives in our area advise no bottle feeding until six weeks unless really necessary, so that breastfeeding can be fully and completely established. Not sure what to do, what do others think? I'm just quite keen to play with my shiny new breast pump - but not if it will disrupt the pattern of feeding normally.

Anyway, looking forward to reading through the rest of the thread.

Hi Bagpuss - Nell is the same - gassy tummy in the evenings after normally a really good day. I've eaten most evening meals one-handed with her in the other arm as she cries! I've no magic solution, have just accepted that that's what happens in the evenings and resigned to walking round burping her. Evie is such a cute name btw.

Congrats on little Adam, Paperdoll . Sounds like you had a very similar birth experience to mine - labour to almost full dilation and then a c-section. Glad it was a good experience though. Good care makes all the difference.

Annie & Growing, Emmie is just the same, knees up to tummy and looks like she is hungry but its wind. Have to spend ages trying to wind/console/feed her and then it started again at 3am, poor little love.

Paperdoll, congratulations! I expressed at 2 and a half weeks and gave her a bottle. Didn't get much out but she did take the bottle. You could alway express if you want to give it a try and freeze it. I've known women who've topped up with expressed milk from about 2 weeks. I think its just formula they worry about introducing so soon, but you might want to check that out with a bf counsellor.

HI Paperdoll,
They say 6 weeks to ensure your milk is well established and also to avoid nipple confusion. Babies use a different sucking technique with a bottle and some babies will prefer this and then refuse the breast. It also goes the other way with many breastfed babies refusing the bottle when introduced later. Advice I have seen ranges from 3 to 6 weeks as the best time to introduce a bottle and avoid these problems. I know many people who have successfully mixed fed from early on. I think alot depends how well they are breastfeeding early on and how many bottles you give. I will be introducing an expressed feed in the next few weeks as DS1 refused to take a bottle for months and I used to have to come home during my lunch to feed him when I first returned to work and I don't want to have to go through that again.

hi all,

first big congrats TT I love the name Patrick, we're an Irish family originally but our latest generation doesn't have any Patricks.
and paperdoll, we must have been in the ERI at the same time, Mila born on the 17th. I was so happy with the staff and care. I feel like I should write to say thanks as everyone was so kind and efficient. I was really expecting terrible things.

how are you and annie feeling post op? I have huge swollen feet and belly still enormous but no pain now.

and same b/f issues here, sore nipple, Mila suffering with wind in the evening too.

Also got those night sweats, I was so confused about those glad it's not just me

Thanks for all the advice re expressing. I'll maybe get the pump set up and see how it works, but just freeze the milk at first. DS is having a fractious couple of days, feeding all the time (must be this growth spurt) so maybe it's no bad thing to wait a little longer before trying him on a bottle - until he has settled down again! Might not make it to six weeks though ...

Itchy, congratulations! I'm really glad you had such good care too. I got quite emotional telling my friend about it the other day. We were talking about the midwives and how one particular one was really supportive and helpful with his feeding ... thinking about it actually made me teary! Pathetic I know. We left her a card & a bottle of wine when we went away. It just felt like she contributed a lot to his early days and given that we'll almost certainly never see her again, thinking about it still makes me feel a bit sentimental. Mind you, everything makes me cry just now - but mainly in a 'happy' way .

I still have a big belly too but at least I can see my C-section scar now! At first I couldn't see past the residual bump. Otherwise I am getting back to normal, have even been going for walks in the park. Have discovered that I cannot get DS and buggy downstairs on my own though. We live in a second-floor flat with a spiral stone staircase and it's just too awkward. Visions of being trapped here for the next six months once DP returns to work ...

Just to add, lest I sound totally helpless and lame, that I do have a plan B for getting them down the stairs one bit at a time ... put baby in cot, cart various buggy elements downstairs, set up, return up stairs for baby (who hopefully has been reasonably safe in cot meanwhile). It will be slow and clunky, but I guess that's our punishment for buying the World's Widest Buggy (TM) when we live in a Victorian stair of less than generous proportions.

I've been too scared to use the pushchair yet I just feel like I won't be able to manouvre it properly/put it up or down/get it through doorways etc and people will stare at me. (I still feel like I'm winging it at this parenting lark)

I took him to asda in his sling the other day, he slept soundly throughout, as old ladies and teenage girls cooed over him (most people just thought I was carrying a bag) I've taken him shopping in his carseat wedged into one of those special trolleys before, they're horrid, I couldn't see past the carseat so I drove into some woman's bum. The sling works a LOT better.

Hope everyone's doing ok, I'm having a bit of a nightmare with the feeding at the moment, just wrote a thread having a moan about it here

Had a bit of a cry and demanded dp took James off me for a while earlier. I'd had bugger all sleep and when dp got out of bed at 10am he said "I'll leave baby in with you so you two can have a lie in" but baby had other ideas and just wanted to feed feed feed, so I stumbled downstairs two hours later knackered, hungry, thirsty and desperate for the loo, and pretty bloody upset as James was STILL screaming for milk. Nightmare.

Feel a bit more human after some food etc, I suppose low points are inevitable, I'm sure it'll all fall into place in a few weeks. For anyone whose babies are suffering with wind, I give J infacol before every feed and it seems to have helped a lot.

HI Banana just read through your BF thread. Do try calling the NCT line again or La leche league for help, you can get some excellent support from these and I am sorry your first attempt with the NCT wasn't good.

Make sure you can get as much rest yourself as possible and remember to keep up your fluid intake.

Some things I do with Alex that I learnt with Ben are to offer both breasts during a feed I used to do this especially in the evenings when 1 boob didn't seem to satisfy him. Tickle his feet during a feed to ensure he is awake and feeding and not dozing and sucking for comfort. Alex is sleeping in with us at the moment as he won't settle in his moses basket. I know that once babies are asleep you hate to wake them but I would recommend winding him after a feed if he is suffering from wind. I find as soon as Alex goes down if he has not been winded he wakes 5 mins later screaming. It is eaier to wind and then try to settle them either by rocking, soothing, walking etc whatever you can get to work. Alex seems to be happy as long as he is close to me. I know it is hard I think the only thing that keeps me sane is the fact that we went through all this with Ben and so expected it this time but I remember as a first time parent it was a nightmare. You are doing really well though and they do settle down soon - honestly