October 2019 Babies

[Figuringitout]

Creating a thread for graduates of the October pregnancy thread. Hoping to see some familiar names, but also welcome new ones who want to chat about how their newborns are getting on.
Thought I’d tag a few other people who might want to come over. Feel free to tag others - no offence if I missed people; I have baby brain!
@Frizzy1986 @Em39ma @HJWT @SC0508 @cattaxi @KatnissK @Sw2102 @Positivity86

@Maryrobinson81 - I’m also in a bit of a frazzled state after getting the older kids out of the door to school (DH is on school runs, I’m on pick up!)
My nipples have been intermittently sore this time - and I also haven’t leaked in the same way as I did previously. However, my supply seems to be fine. Ada is lazy with her latch though and will slip down during the feed so she is just chewing the nipple. Not fun. I take her off and re-latch her every time (which makes her cross) but has seemed to help.
I’m also struggling with nights. She has become increasingly fussy and difficult to settle - last few nights hasn’t gone in her crib until 2am - and last night I gave up and let her sleep next to me. I don’t like to do this at the moment though as I am so tired I feel like my awareness of her isn’t good enough to co-sleep safely, but then no sleep means I can’t function in the day. I don’t remember it being this tough with the others and then I have to remind myself that she is only 3 weeks old.
Lack of sleep is really shit. I’d forgotten what an impact it has on my mental health.
My house is also a bomb site and I just don’t have the time/energy to sort it out. I need to get into more of a routine - but I am also trying to allow myself to enjoy her as this is my last little baby.

@cattaxi she was weighed yesterday for day 5 check and has only lost a few oz so I think she’s getting enough milk, lots of wet and dirty nappies too. So hopefully she will start the gaining weight part now.
@figuringitout my last baby also ( she was a little surprise addition!) I love pregnancy and birth and that whole experience but 4 is enough 😂 I think I need to be consistent in relatching too, Pearl also slips during the feed, she’s got quite a small mouth I feel, and I think I’ve got really big nipples so I wonder if we don’t match too good!
Midwife suggested maybe to use shields for a bit but I’ll wait for the feeding people to advise me as I would worry about using them at this stage and also have never used them before.
Hope everyone has a good day, it’s horrible down here, heavy rain and 50mph winds. We have to go out though as registering her birth today!

@Maryrobinson81 that sounds tough but at least weight is going OK.
@figuringitout ds is having some nightly settling issues too. I coslept last night from 1am as he wouldn't go back in his crib.

How do you tell if they have tongue tie. Ds seems to feed ok although for 10-15mins every 2hrs but his fremulum seems very far forward. Do they not check at birth?
My bil has tongue tie (dd finds it funny how her uncle can't stick his tongue out) and I think my nephew has it too.
I'm not sure if it's just because their mouths are really small or if it is tongue tie.

@Figuringitout & @Maryrobinson81 our last baby here too. Ds1&2 & the teenager we are guardians for are plenty! We never really planned on having kids - then had ds when I was 35 and things escalated from there. I’m loving having a big family now - even if it’s chaos!

Sounds like baby is doing great @maryrobinson82. Hopefully the pain will pass. Have you thought about thrush? That can be painful. Ds & I are currently having treatment for it. I had antibiotics in theatre & they always give me thrush.

No idea about tongue tie @Frizzy1986. Can you ask your midwife? Or go to a bf’ing group?

We had a good day. Managed a trip to town to register the baby, get haircuts for dh & ds, have a bit of a walk & some cake. It’s so nice to feel normal again after the discomfort & sickness of pregnancy!

@cattaxi I called the health visitor and she sent me to a health visitor clinic in town. They've checked and yes he has tongue tie.
Have been referred to a tongue tie clinic to look at options.
He's now 10lb 11oz at 4 weeks old. The HV said if we want it cutting, we might have to push as his weight is really good and that can often be what the docs look at to decide if it's worth doing. I'm aware that it can cause speech issues and it might sort his intermittent fussiness and gas issues so we'll push if we decide that's what we want.
Hopefully dh can come with me so we can decide what we want to do.

Orson seems very screamy atm. He's either feeding, having a short nap (30 mins) or screaming bloody murder! Only poos once a day so not sure if he's uncomfortable and that's why.

@Frizzy1986 my we had similar feeding issues and had DS tongue tie cut yesterday. I saw an improvement straight away in the latch but he's going a bit backwards today. I believe it takes a while for them to relearn the technique

@Frizzy1986 Coby has had a bad evening was feeding loads then was sick all over me and screamed for an hour after the bath😫 wont sleep anywhere but on me...

We need a break 🤣

@Ju5tAgirlstandinginfrontofaboy that's good to know. One nephew didn't have his cut as it didn't impact feeding as he was bottle fed. Second nephews broke on its own. Not sure what to expect at all.
Also not sure how long it takes for referral etc but I'm hoping fairly quick.

@HJWT yes we do. Ive just given him a bath and dh now has him snoozing in the colic hold. I'm obvs frantically running round doing things (putting washing away, putting things in the dishwasher, clearing clutter in the lounge, topping up the loo roll in the toilets)
Dh could have done things earlier but hasn't. Why is it always us who holds them while we eat our tea (because they've decided that's when they'll scream), gets up in the night and tries to do all the housework on top.
I was proud that I managed to open a tin while he was snoozing on me earlier though. Not as good as the time with dd when I chopped and boiled potatoes and then used the ricer to make mash all whilst breastfeeding. That's gonna take some beating with Orson!

Can I ask how everyone's older kids are coping?
My Dd who is 6 has been great but now starting with a little bit of a defiant streak and often using a baby voice

Oh @Frizzy1986, that’s a pain. But at least you know what it is now. Is Feeding still uncomfortable? If he’s gassy and fussing, could that be related? I don’t know much about tongue tie. Hopefully you’ll get a referral asap.
I’m super impressed with you for feeding and making mash - That is some multitasking!

@HJWT ds will only sleep on me today. He gets really upset if I put him down or give him to someone else. I foresee a long night ahead!

@Ju5tAgirlstandinginfrontofaboy ds(4) is up and down. He’s had a nasty cold, so it’s hard to tell what’s what. But we are definitely getting some More defiance than usual. He’s a bit teary too. I feel bad because it’s like I’m constantly telling him
“No.” All he wants to do is touch and prod and kiss the baby. It’s lovely, but the poor kid never manages more than 10 minutes asleep when he’s around!
I guess it just takes time to get used to the new normal.

I hope everyone else is ok today? We have ds his first bath earlier & he immediately pooed in it! Lovely!

My children have all struggled a bit in different ways, particularly my youngest and he’s also the only boy. I think he feels a bit left out of things at times as my girls are both trying to mother the baby, and it’s hard to play some of the things he wants to play while feeding a baby constantly too! I haven’t been able to do as much reading with the older 2 or homework things either so feel a bit guilty about that.
As you say @cattaxi, we all have a new normal now!
Infant feeding team left me an answerphone message yesterday so hopefully can see them soon and get some help with the painful feeding. One side is much better now but the other is bad still.
Has anyone used a dummy at all yet? I did with my first and second as they were both very much sucky babies but I don’t know when I introduced it and probably did it out of desperation one night! I tried with number 3 but he spat it out every time.
It was nice not having to get his dummies off him to be fair. My little lady seems to want to suck but not have the milk as she will suck, pull off boob then fuss to go back on and repeat this for a while until she passes out! For now think I’ll just go with it as she’s only 8 days old.
Off to buy her some nice new things today as she had some vouchers as presents!

@Frizzy1986 honestly I don't know, DH was amazing the first week he was extra nice and helpful said he was never going to moan again after I nearly died but it soon wore of 🤣 at least he watches him whilst I shower I guess! He does say to me why don't I pump so he can feed him... men just don't get it do they 🤦🏻‍♀️

I do need to get a manual pump though that I can take out with me! Baby is not emptying my boobs some days and I end up in pain... latching also hurts a lot when they are so full! DD doesn't finish nursery till 3 and I'm out atm cant wait to go home and pump...

@Ju5tAgirlstandinginfrontofaboy DD is 3 and absolutely adores her brother but when she asks to hold him she wants him there and then she gets angry if I make her wait, bedtimes seem harder now to always saying she doesn't want to go to bed and she is a lot more emotional she seems to cry over the littlest things, she has also stopped calling me mummy when she wakes up and shouts my name in the mornings!😂

@Maryrobinson81 I have given him a dummy but he will only take it in the car! So will probably stick to that as at home I can just feed him straight away so don't need it, unless he starts using me as a dummy then he can have it haha xx

@Maryrobinson81 I've tried a dummy but ds isn't keen right now. I think as soon as breastfeeding is established then it's fine.
Dd had a dummy from about 2 months old I think and we had no problem taking it away from her when she was 2. My thinking was at least we can take a dummy away. If she was sucking her thumb if would be much harder!

@HJWT I got a manual one from argos. Comes with a sterilising tub that goes in the microwave. Like you, it's only for relieving the pressure if ds decides to oversleep or something. I think dh is happy that I've not suggested expressing for night feeds, he quite likes not having to do the feeding side. Think he just likes cuddles when ds is sleeping. Plus he gets to enjoy dd (like going out trick or treating and going to the local bonfire next week, both of which I'll have to miss 😔)

I feel I've achieved today. Walked dd to school, came home, collected the dog and went for a walk.
Have managed to hoover (love watching ds sleep through the noise), do some washing, empty the dishwasher, do a shopping list, cut out dds Halloween pictures and put them on the window.
Taking ds to the docs later as he's a bit squeaky when he breathes (not all the time but quite regularly)
I think it's just a cold that he had had for about 3 weeks, but if its something more, I don't want to be the bad mum who didn't get it checked out.

How long did everyone's vulva feel swollen? I know I am only 2 days post birth but I need to know how long 😫

Just woken up to find MIL has announced Sebastian's birth on social media after being asked not too. I know in the grand scheme of things it is not important but she did this when we got engaged and now this. Sorry rant over

@YorkshireIndie firstly I'd be bloody annoyed too. That's just rude. I don't understand why anyone thinks it's OK to announce someone else's news. In the grand scheme of things, it's still rude.
My MIL asked the morning after ds was born if she could post on social media. We told her not until we had and she held back.
With dd she practically posted that I was in labour by changing her Facebook status which made a bit of a hint.

Also, I think it was about 10-14 days before my swelling had gone down. I did have a tear and surgery though so that may have increased the swelling time frame.
I'm not swollen down there any more (4 weeks pp) just weeing myself.

@Frizzy1986 I ordered one of amazon its a TT one and was on sale! I wish I could get all that done!! Coby sleeps amazing at night 3-5 hours then feeds and back down but it means he wants to be cuddled / fed all day 🤯 I am so tired and run down today! Ill be going to bed soon 😴

@YorkshireIndie surprisingly to say how many hands were put up my vagina to stop the bleeding I wasn't swollen for more than a few days! But the haemorrhoids in my bum were a different story 🤕 I used cream for 10 days before they felt better! still don't know what they put up there but it bloody hurt 😯😂

How is everyone today? We’ve had a nice day pottering at home with a few visitors. Ds has been nice & settled, sleeping well between feeds. Hopefully it will last into the night!

I’m a bit unsure what to do about a dummy @Maryrobinson81. Ds will take one when we’ve tried. But I’m not sure if he really needs one, as he’s pretty settled most of the time. His brother never took one & I remember feeling quite pleased I never had to wean him off one. I’m going to play it by ear I think and try not to give one just for the sake of it.

@HJWT bed times are definitely tricker here too. I think it’s just any excuse to delay.

How did your gp appointment go @Frizzy1986? I hope all is ok? Super impressed with your productivity yesterday.

That would really piss me off @YorkshireIndie. But it’s probably not worth it in the grand scheme of things.

I hope everyone is doing ok. I can’t believe October is over - after all that waiting for it to arrive!

@cattaxi gp was fine. Couldn't hear any issues so it just looks like it's a cold/snotty nose along with general newborn noises.

@HJWT mine is a TT one as well I think. I've only used it about 3 times and don't plan on really using it much either, but it was very helpful when my milk was coming in.
I'm so jealous of the sleeping. Orson will sleep 3hrs at night at a push, but then I feed (15mins ish) and it'll take another 45 to get him to settle back in his crib be able to turn my light off. That gives me max 2hrs of sleep, but sometimes he wakes every 2hrs so then I only get 1hr sleep.
Thank god its a weekend and I don't have to be up for the school run!!

We've had our tongue tie clinic appointment through for November. Usually they assess and then snip that day I think, but they don't have a Dr until start of December so he'll be assessed and then we'll have to go back if it needs it.
Hoping they'll be space for December as want to get it sorted ASAP. Also hoping dh can come to the assessment as then we can make a decision together.

Glad the gp was ok @frizzy1986. Hopefully you get the tongue tie thing sorted ASAP. It seems like a long time to wait.

How is everyone today? We braved a very wet firework display. The baby slept in the sling the whole time & didn’t even flinch!
Ds1 & dh have been getting on each other’s nerves all day. The teenager hasn’t stopped singing! I’m so ready for them all to go back to school & work so me and the baby can have some peace!

Anyone else up? Seb has been feeding almost constantly since 7 and is still going 😫😫😫

Does anyone mind if I join? I followed your thread before but never got around to posting, just got in the October club with a little girl born on halloween evening :)

Hi @amehh congratulations on your Halloween baby girl!
@YorkshireIndie lots of cluster feeding going on here too, the good thing is they seem to pass out for a while when they have finished feeding! Pearl seems to do her cluster feeding earlier in the evening than my others have done, which means she’s at it while I’m trying to do tea and bath/bed for the older children. I had forgotten how much you can actually do one handed while feeding!

Does anyone mind if I join too? Had ds on 1st October, also have a dd who is 4. He’s a lovely boy, but doesn’t like being put down. Morning or night! I’m trying to persevere with putting him down in his crib but not having much luck. He tends to wake up after an hour if he manages to stay asleep initially.

Anyone else have the same problem? There’s only so much online shopping I can do at 12, 1, 2.....

Welcome @BellaBellaBelle and @amehh!

I actually do not know how much sleep I got last night 😫

Think I have the day four emotional hormone drop. Been crying all morning at a film DH and I finished watching. Even now I feel emotional just thinking about it