Septermber 07 poppers.....please meet here!

[dal21]

Hi ladies - cannot see a thread for the sept ladies who have popped. Thought I would start one (hope I havent been totally blind and missed one already set up)

we can share our trials and tribulations of our LO's here!

Sophus, Liam had his first bath at about 3.5 weeks old. I don't believe in bathing them too early. His first one was in the bath with his brothers - more for their benefit than his. Since then I've used an inflatable baby bath (much easier to store than a rigid one) and he's had a couple of dips in the bathroom sink. I use just water, with a bit of babywash swished in it. I think as long as their face, neck, bum and bits are clean, they don't need much bathing.

Another question to everyone - is everyone still using cotton wool or have you converted to wipes? I'd like to use wipes, but he gets nappy rash if I so much as get one out of the box.

Hi all, just thought I would pop in and see how you are all getting on

From what I have read, I think the longer Ben stays inside the better now

MrsF 40+2

Kinki - i take my hat off to your monster post. how do you do it???
I have been bathing my LO every 2 days in just water, he loves it! Until last night - he went into the bath with DH and he just floats while DH cradles him - he screams his head off once out while being dressed and dried but afterwards he feeds and goes straight to sleep. Last night as DH was back at work - used the towelling bath support I bought for about £8 and he still loved it.

Not moved to wipes yet (apart from the odd nappy change when we have been out) - still on warm water and cotton wool.

Interesting feedback on MW's and HV'S. TBH - I havent rated any of the care I received once out the hospital. The royal free midwives spent all their time asking why i hadnt had ryan there and trying to take a pop at Queen charlotte. Then one of the MW's slated the other MW's, then the HV slated the MW's and camden for not passing on the details (hence my falling off the radar).

re the swaddling, yup - i mean wrapping them up tightly.

right - ryan is stirring and I need to get the tumble drying put away. have good afternoons all.

Dal, for the first time I had ds1 at school, ds2 at pre-school and ds3 asleep all at the same time. So I had a couple of hours all to myself . Really I should have got some sleep, or done something productive like the laundry or housework, but I couldn't be bothered and I'm too tired to sleep (wouldn't trust myself to wake up).

And now I'm doubly blessed because I've just got in from footie practice and ds1&2 are nicely sat down eating their tea and ds3 is asleep again! So I've got another 10 mins to myself.

I'll regret it later though when the reality of the state of my disgusting house sets in and also when Liam won't sleep tonight because he's been asleep all day! Still, the peace is nice while it lasts.

kinki - you are not alone. Ryan has been a dream today and rested lots. however my tumble drying remains in the tumble dryer. oh well is a chore for DH to do once he gets in - have done tons of other stuff.

Hi all. Sorry I haven't been on for a while. Things have been pretty difficult for the last few days, to be honest. Turns out my latch wasn't sorted at all. Both nipples are very cracked, and I may have the beginnings of mastitis. I'm persevering, but it's not easy. Also, Paul is terribly colicky, and I'm finding the constant screaming very hard to cope with. Still, I talked to a great NCT bf counsellor today, and I'm taking Paul to a cranial osteopath on Thursday. Has anyone else seen one? Also, is anyone else co-sleeping? Paul flatly refuses to sleep in his moses basket, but will sleep like an angel in with me. I'm not all that keen, to be honest, but when it's a choice of that or no sleep...

I'm sorry others of you have had trouble with HVs and MWs. My midwives have generally been excellent (haven't seen a HV yet), though they do give conflicting advice sometimes.

Sorry about the me post. I'm typing one-handed on one of my very few opportunities. I'll catch up properly when I can. Hope everyone's doing ok.

Hello all!

Feeling semi-human again today. Think I am fighting scary infection off once and for all.

Sophus - glad to hear hands are better. I think I'm in denial about the care situation until I am feeling a lot stronger and then I am going to have a think about making a complaint. I do feel really angry about it!

Kinki - no I have not moved to wipes yet, still on the cotton wool for now and it has been OK so far so am sticking with it for now although have wipes all lined up...

MrsBumblebee - I can help, I went to the cranial osteopath today. I really liked it to be honest. I thought the whole place was very calm and well run and the osteopath I saw was fab. Turns out George had a slightly twisted diaphram, which may have been affecting his digestion and would explain the mega farting! They were very gentle with him and did tiny manipulations. I went to the place in Clerkenwell - is that where you are going? I think it is well worth it. I only need one follow up visit but they also offered me an appointment for myself - they help with sore backs and putting your pelvis back in place and things. Ask me anything, I will let you know anything you need to know.

I cannot believe this but my HV is apparently coming tomorrow, will believe when I see it...

MrsB, I took both ds1&2 to a c/o when they were newborn. Plan on taking ds3 soon. The results with the first 2 were fantastic. I took ds1 primarily because he was colicky and very unsettled. He was also sick a lot, and we had problems with an infected umbilicus. We took him along and were very sceptical about the treatment. Its very surreal watching them do their stuff, and half the time I was wondering if we were being taken for a ride. Anyway that afternoon he was a lot more settled than usual and he remained calm for the evening too. And that night he slept for about 12 hours, up till then he was waking every 3 hours for feeds. The change in him was nothing short of a minor miracle. And he never looked back. The colic became a lot more managable, he slept brilliantly, the only thing was he kept being sick for about 18 months (but that was due to a physiological problem with his oesophagus that he eventually grew out of) but you can't have everything! If you are interested I'll explain what they think caused his problems (to do with pregnancy and birth) and how they cured it.

Having seen this in ds1 we were keen to take ds2 when he was born with a few problems. Mainly he was a slow and difficult feeder and he didn't like laying down flat at all - he'd become rigid like a board if you'd lay him down. So we took him along. His results took a little while longer to see than ds1, but there was definately a huge improvement within a few weeks. So I'd guess it's more difficult in this case to prove that c/o 'cured' him, but we're quite certain that it did. Again if you're interested I'll go into more detail of what they said they thought was the cause of his problem.

Incidentally, we were told that they recommend taking newborns along even if they don't have any problems, so they can check everything is in synch. Also, I don't know who or what you have in your area, but close to us is a school of osteopathy which is where we go. The treatment is done by a 4th year student under the supervision of a tutor. The good news is that it only costs £10 an hour.

My day is getting even better. Ds2 is knackered, so he's in bed already, ds3 is STILL asleep (I'm so going to regret this later) and dh has taken ds1 out for a bit. All this time to myself!

HI everyone..

Holly, glad to hear you're feeling better. I had an infection in my cs wound too, but luckily it was caught early by the mw, so I managed to sort it with normal oral antibiotics. It's still kind of bruised feeling so take it easy. My mw advised me to wear skirts as much as possible and go commando too to allow the air to get to it. Oh and lots of baths (if you can manage it!) with tea tree oil and lavender oil to help healing. at the lack of care you seem to have been receiving from the mw!!!

My hv is brilliant too... she knows my sister and was her hv for her two ds'.

thanks for the kind messages about bfing woes... I'm still doing marathon feeding, but I've had lots of lovely luminous yellow nappies so I'm happy again! My nipples aren't cracking or anything, but they do feel kind of bruised. I guess that's normal though... my hv is coming tomorrow and is going to stay with me for a whole feed to see how things are going.

I really can't recommend the LLL highly enough to anyone who's having bf problems. There's a main help line number and what it does is transfer you to an advisor at their home. Sometimes you'll get an answering machine or their husbands/partners, but you just ring again and you'll get transferred to the next advisor. The one I spoke to was brilliant, I had to hold back the tears for most of the call cos it was so nice to talk to someone for so long and get such great advice. Even if it hadn't helped my milk production, I loved my two days nesting with Luca, he spent ages just gazing at my face and snuggling. Such a lovely experience!

I'm afraid I have started using wipes... I am using the kindest gentlest ones I can find, with no alcohol in them, so they don't cause any problems with Luca's skin. So far, he hasn't had any reaction to them so I'm sticking with them.

On the subject of baths, Luca hated them, screamed continuously. Someone in my ante natal group recommended I get in the bath with him, hold him close and help him get used to it, and it seems to have worked. The first time he stared intently at my face the whole time, and the second time he was a bit more relaxed. Now he'll have a bath in his little seat thingy on his own with no tears. Of course, he still yells the place down when he's being dressed and undressed! To avoid too much trauma I'm only bathing him twice a week, I may up to three times if I get a particularly bad nappy experience or something. He does have a habit of bringing up milk when he's lying down and it all ends up in his hair so that may have to happen sooner rather than later.

I've just heard Luca start screaming from the other room so better dash... take care everyone xx

Hello all,

Have had a great experience with cranial osteopath too. Took dt1 when he was a couple months old due to his screaming after bottle feeds. also took dt2 almost as a "control". C/o looked at both and before I had told them their history he said that dt2 was fine and would need no treatment but dt1 would need a few treatments - how amazing is that - he was right on the money! Anyway, he really helped dt1 at that age. However, when dt1 was a toddler I took him again for constipation and that wasn't so helpful - ended up at the GP and she helped a lot more. So I agree they are great for little babies. The c/o recommended that all babies go for a cranial checkup at 6 weeks even if no problems, so I plan to do that with Anna. Unfortunately the original guy has retired but I will try his replacement (he is in Battersea btw).

I have given Anna 2 baths (she is 13 days), she screamed through the first and loved the second which was just after a feed . Am still using cotton wool and water (normally cold!) for changing but also have some alcohol free wipes which I will probably start using soon.

mrsbumblebee - have you tried lansinoh for your cracked nipples? I am co-sleeping sometimes with Anna, she loves it too but it does make me a bit nervous. Oh and when doing one handed typing you must stop doing punctuation and capital letters, it makes lazy people like me look bad .

dal - I never had a problem "weaning" my boys off swaddling, it just kind of evolved from full swaddle to half swaddle to sleeping bag - no trauma. I haven't swaddled Anna yet as so far she is a good sleeper as long as she is on her side . I know the cot death police will probably have a go at me but she looks so comfy like that and I really don't think she can fall on her front if I have her lower arm up?

Have to say I am finding the evenings hard without DH around. Dt2 is hard work at the moment, whingeing about everything and constantly trying to hold and carry Anna which makes me very nervous (he is almost 5). he banged her head on the wall by accident the other day and was very apologetic but it still made me feel anxious. I have ordered a hug a bub sling which I am hoping to use while preparing supper as one handed cooking is just not my forte. Anyone else using a sling???

Hi ladies, I hope you don't mind me joining you all, I gave birth to my DD2 on 13 September. Her name is Maya, she was 8lb 8oz and she is great (so far!).

Mrsbumblebee, I too co-sleep, I did also with DD1 as she was like your LO, would not settle whatsoever in Moses Basket. I put Maya in her sleeping bag, make space in the bed (DH sleeps in other room) and BF her lying down through the night when she wakes. I find it suits us best and I get my sleep. I wouldn't worry too much as to the statistics, if we worried about everything we would never do anything right.

Evening all - time for my late night post again! I thought I'd do two posts in order to cover everything!

I feel like something resembling a human being today which is nice! In amongst everything going on, Cerys seems to be sleeping through the night which is amazing (sorry to all those who are now very !). The last two nights, she has gone from about 10.30pm to 6 or 7am!! This might sound great but I'm now worried she is missing quite a bit of feeding time so I've upped her to every 3 hours in the day and she seems much happier with it.

Thank you for all your thoughts ladies, we survived our day at the hospital and DH came too! (he hates hospitals and isn't usually good at waiting around!). Cerys had to have an injection of antibiotics an hour before the procedure and it was heartbreaking to see her reaction bless her! She got over that and had a little feed before we went in. She cried through the whole thing of course which really tired her out - I hate seeing her go through it all but I keep telling myself its for her benefit. They had her pinned down while they did it and I just stroked her head and whispered in her ear. She screamed with passion for a while but then she got tired and she just whimpered which made me cry . The surgical nurse was meant to turn up but she didn't so I've been trying to get hold of her to find out if Cerys should still be taking her antibiotics or not - she wasn't around today so I'll try again tomorrow...

kinki - amazed at your experience, I might have to ask you a few questions! What a relief to know somebody who has an idea of what happens!

Then, we headed up to the paediatric cardiology dept where she had her ECG and echo done - the guy who did it wasn't very reassuring but basically he said that they've decided she doesn't need any treatment just yet because she's putting on weight and isn't getting breathless. I have to keep an eye on her and they want to see her in a month to check on the holes and the duct. I wouldn't mind but we managed to keep her asleep for the whole thing (it takes ages) until he ripped of the sticky things and she wailed again !!! Grrrrr

So, that was our day - needless to say Cerys was knackered as were we. Today was much better as we got her registered - yay! DH is the last in line with his surname so he's going to drum it into her to keep her surname when she gets married .

Onto the next post...

Holly - hope you're recovering well? I share your anger at the medical profession - I'm livid with my local hospital and will be building my case soon. I wouldn't mind but everybody at S'ton has been amazing so far so it just seems to be a few people at my local hospital... (I forget if I've explained all that happened - let me know if not and I'll fill you all in).

kelmcd - hope you cope with your mum going home, it must be so hard.

Hammer - how are the colds? DS seems to have one at the moment so I've banned him from holding Cerys . My DS started school a week after DD1 was born and I remember it being a difficult time but we got through it - the activities seemed to distract him and tire him out, hope all goes well xx

sophus - how did you survive without DP this evening in the end? Colic is such hard work isn't it!!

toadstool - will be thinking of you on Thursday

kinki - wow, thats an excellent rate of putting on weight, keep it up - you must be doing something right!!

MrsFish - bless you, hope you're doing well, hang on in there, it won't be long before you're here with us!

MrsBumblebee - how are things going bless you? Again, I totally empathise with the colic thing as Cerys has been terrible too. I'm sure the co-sleeping is fine, I know I'd do the same in your position if it meant getting some sleep!

canadianmum - I get a bit nervous of DD1 holding Cerys too but so far she has done really well. She is 9 and is desperate to wind her so we worked out a way that she can do it safely and she got a burp - she was well chuffed!! DS has got gigantic hands and is really confident with her! I reckon I'm nervous of anybody handling her because of what she has been through and I need to keep telling myself she won't break!

helenelisabeth - welcome!

Hello to everybody else - HIWBB, Dal, amyclaramum, ccpink, MrsMar, chattyhan. How's sparklygotkat doing?

As far as hv's go, I've got one - she only came round once but was lovely; now I have a nursery nurse who comes to weigh Cerys but I think thats because of her medical problems really!?

We've had a big debate going on in our house because we have always slept with the bedroom window open. I was paranoid about Cerys getting cold in the night so we shut it at first but both DH and I find we can't breathe properly. The nursery nurse said that as long as her body is warm that she's fine and that its good to have some fresh air. It's got colder since then so I've taken to putting her in a cardigan at night which seems to keep her nice and snug. She seems to get cold easily so I've been wrapping her up loads!!

I've decided to continue with the mixed feeding for now as she is putting on weight slowly. I might contact this LLL though as I do feel we could do with some guidance with latching on. I really feel for those of you having problems with cracked nipples etc - I had a big blockage with DD1 that had to be lanced in the end [big ouch icon!].

We had to bath Cerys while still in the neonatal hospital as they were training me on handling the stoma bag so she had her first bath aged 1 week old. Now, she has one every couple of days as we do it at the same time as changing her bag. I have to say she loves it, especially having her hair washed and blow dried - you'll see when I do the pics how much hair she's got LOL!

Due to being out of the house so soon, I started using wipes quite early on but still use the cotton wool and water when changing her bag around the stoma. So far no problems but I had the same problem as you (kinki) with DD1 - she still seems to be allergic to them now!

This cranial ostepathy sounds interesting - might do a bit of research to see whats in our area!

Love to all, sorry again about the mammoth posts

PLP xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

HI, forgot to update you all, Callum is doing well in SCBU. He has started to breastfeed now, and could be out his heated cot in the next few days. The doctors are very impressed with him

So pleased to hear things are going in the right direction sparkly, have been thinking of you! (((hugs)))

I've managed to load pictures of Cerys onto my profile now - everybody comments on her head of hair LOL! I meant to say that all your LO's are so adorable!!!

I've also got pictures of me in labour that mum took as well as a picture of Cerys coming out (without any of my bits being shown, phew!). They're quite funny and I'm glad mum took them - I'll have to fill you in on the birth as some of it was quite comical now I look back (apart from the pain of course!).

PLP xxxxxxx

Hi everyone - guess things must be settling for everyone as we are getting more posts. sorry not to reply individually, but had better try and nap as ryan was quite unsettled last night and up every 3 hours. great feedback on the c/o. I am pretty sure that they do that at triyoga so am going to check it out.

i don't use wipes. Cotton wool, water (minimally due it being so ahrd where i live)and olive oil or doublebase on his body. I make my own wipe mixture using chamolie tea, lavender oil, tea tre, olive oil and vinegar - keeps everything at bay. But i am neurotic about skin as i ahve had so many problems myself (sever eczema from the day i was born until my late twenties).
Evening without DP was crappy - Made myseld dinner and Linus was a bit gripey and then i did bedtime routine adn then he kicked off and screamed non-stop for several hours - he would settle for a bit and then start up again. i ahve now banned DP from going out until the colicky times are over - it;s just too hard on your own.

I am co-sleeping as he can just lie beside me in his grobag and feed and go back to sleep, he sleeps for 6 hours, then 3, then 3 and he goes into his cot for the last lot of sleep. I didn;t think i would co-sleep but it is making it easier for both of us.

After a slightly crappy night last night i had to give myself a good talking to this morning. When i get teary and think it is all a bit too much, i try and break it all down into manageable issues and then remind myself that in grand scheme of things we are doing okay and it most defintiely won;t last forever.

I might try c/o too if the colic lasts - i give him a massage every evening and he enjoys that. And a friend came round yesterday and showed me how to wind him properly - I was finding it impossible.

Got HV turning up in a moment - wonder if i will get through visit without bursting into hormonal tears for no apparent reason other than someone is prepared to listen!

Love to all mothers and babies - we are doing a fine and grand job and remember it won;t be long before they are all asking to borrow the car keys, and we are complaining about how our boobs are hanging around out knees because we dedicated ourselves to breastfeeding them.

S
xx

Sophus - any chance you could give a quick description of how you were told to wind, and tips are always welcomed. Arben is going through a very pucky stage. We wind him reguarly but he just brings up his feed, becoming very fustrating, he also seems to get very distressed by the pain in his tummy.
Does any one know if infacol can make them sick more, seems to have increased since staring it

hi i got new granddaughter amelia, with my second gd terrible colic it was a nightmare, changed to doctor brown bottles and never had a problem again ,used on both grandchildren since and dont have prob is this worth a try

Infacol can make them posset more - i used it regularly for a while and now use it for the big feeds to help me wind him. A friend has stopped using it because her baby was posseting so much on it.

For winding she just showed me how to hold him sitting up, tilted forward with my hand under his chin and firmly rubbing his back in an upwards direction. Nothing special just correcting my crappy technique! I am trying to be more rigouros about doing it as i tend to give up after 5 minutes, lie him down then hey presto he pukes it up0. I think it was the throwing up three times in a row out of his nose that made me do something about it!!

Re the winding - a couple of things work for Ryan

• when sitting on knee with chin in hand, try and keep them as upright as possible - push the hand holding the chin up (lightly) and push the hand holding the back up so that you are trying to straighten them. They will fight it (curved and rigid spine is defo sign of wind)

• also when on lap, put one hand underneath their arms and rotate their upper torso - picture us sitting on birthing balls making circles with hips. can release trapped wind.

• have also read that rubbing upwards/ making circular motions is better for babies who can bring up feeds easily.

• change winding positions gently as often one position will work when another won't

• have you tried laying them on their tummy on a pillow on your lap? you cradle head in one hand so that it is not face down but sideways and with the other hand pat rythmically with the other hand (once every second or so - apparently reminds them of our heartbeat when they were inside us) - this one is from clar4e byams bfeeding book - recommended especially for colicky babies, a dummy can be used at the same time on this one to try and get the baby to sleep

ryan has woken - gotta run

Plp, I don't have any personal experience of what little Cerys is going through. What I meant was that I've been involved with plenty of MCUGs and loopograms at work because I'm a radiographer - one of the nicer ones . But if you have any questions, ask away. I hope the staff looked after you all ok when you were there.

You say Cerys has been registered. Did you give her the middle Amethyst after all? I remember you thinking about it before. It's a lovely name, so I hope you did!

About infracol, Liam has been more pukey since starting it. I think I'll stick with it for a while though because it is a bit easier to get his burps up. Dh has another way of winding him, he lays him along his forearm so that he is horizontal lay face down, with his face supported by dh's thumb and forefinger. He then pats away. It doesn't work so well for me though. And I have to keep asking him not to do it hovering over my lovely, expensive, beige carpet.

Well last night Liam slept well. He has been waking during the night 3-4hrly for feeds. But last night I fed him about midnight and then didn't hear from him till nearly 6am. It's just a shame no-one thought to tell my right boob about this change in plan, because it still woke up at stoopid o'clock in order to empty its contents at will. I had to do a complete change, but refused to shower till daylight. I hate it when it happens. Anyway I don't suppose 'this is it', I bet he goes back to waking 3hrly tonight.

Congratulations hazygirl on becoming a grandma again! That'll be us in 40 and not a day before a few years time! Thanks for the advice about the bottles.

Dh has gone away till sunday evening. He tried to look like he didn't want to go, and that he was going to miss us. Ummm, let me see, what would I prefer? The manic and mayhem of chez kinki with (usually) hardly any sleep, 3 demanding dc, cardboard food and general squalor. Or staying in posh hotel for 2 nights eating in swish restaurant (all paid for by work), then off to friends for a pissed up weekend, taking in a Kevin (bloody) Wilson show, a rugby match iirc, more restaurants and lots of real ales. Not forgetting at least 2 lie-ins. And he's pretending he doesn't want to go. I don't think so. Me ? You bet I am.

Still, I won't complain, because I was only due last week, so in theory I could be just out of hospital and him going away (yes he was planning to go whenever ds was born). As it is I've had 5 weeks to get into the swing of things.

So I'm deffo not complaining. Just storing a hoooge mental note that I will refer to when I'm planning my week-long piss-up break with my friends for my 40th birthday next year.

Hello, am so of everyone who's babies are sleeping for more than 3 hours. I think the longest George has gone is 3.5 hours ever...

HV came today - Linus is now 11lbs 3oz and she has said that i can leave him to sleep for as long as i like as he is oviously getting enough food. Just have to convince Linus of that...
she has also said that i can use a small amount of cooled boiled water to satisfy him when he wants to suck and feed but isn't really hungry. Anyone any experience of this? But she was great and i did indeed burst into tears for no reason. She just sits and listens and gets you to hang on in there and shows you the light at the end of the tunnel.
Got my NCT reunion tonight - 8 colicky babies at an evening do from 8-10pm - and 8 exhausted mothers about to drop off the planet with tiredness, i cannot think of anything more barking!
S
x