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!

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments about c/o - very encouraging. We're off to see one this morning (in Tunbridge Wells), so fingers crossed that he can help.
Unfortunately, since my last post I've developed full-on infected mastitis - yesterday was a seriously low point, with no sleep at all and a temperature of 39.1. Since then my mum has come to stay, and the antibios and paracetamol have started to kick in, so I'm actually feeling much better. Mum is basically taking Paul every time he cries, so I've had some decent sleep, which makes a big difference.
The colic has actually been slightly better over the last 24 hours since we've started on Infacol. As others have said, it does make him slightly more pukey, but up until now he's never really puked at all, so it's not a big problem.

My worry now is that he hasn't had a poo for about two and a half days - maybe another sign that he's all twisted up inside. Also, I've given him one or two formula feeds during that period, which can apparently bung them up. The good news is that he's gaining weight, though, so he's definitely been getting enough food.

Right, I'd better get up and take him to the c/o. Really sorry yet again for not doing individual replies - I promise that once we've turned this little corner I'll be a bit less me me me.

Big hugs to everyone - I just keep trying to tell myself that these difficult times won't last forever!

Hi everyone,

Hope this is not too late...Baby Bella was born on the 28th sept at 10.25am in the water at home. Birth was about 12 hours long. We are so in love with her already. I suffered from a minor 1st degree tear which was good, not so good was the fact that my inner labia tore and couldn't be sewn so we shall have to wait and see how it heals and if I need surgery to reattach

Sorry not been on for a while, have had hands full with baby. Sorry for anyone still waiting for their babies, am sending birthing vibes over to Mrs fish and the others!

Can I ask a question of anyone experienced as I have no idea about babies...I am breastfeeding but she will only take 10mins worth every 3 hours, is this enough? Also I read a book about routines from she who must not be named and am confused about times the baby is meant to be awake? She just sleeps after she feeds or is changed, what do you do with them to keep them awake at this age, ie 6 days?? Please someone give me some advice as I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment and don't know what to do the night before last she was feeding every 1 1/2 hours through the night but only for 5 mins at a time, then last night she went 3/4 hours and only fed for 10 mins at a time. I'm afraid my milk will dry up, also I can't seem to get her to burp and I spend ages doing it....

Sorry for this very self obsessed post but I am a bit down today and don't know who to turn to.

xx

Morning all

blimey, its got all busy again on here

Edie - yes we both have a little Millie (though yours came first!) - its such a sweet name isn't it? DH wasn't sure but of course i over-ruled him and now he says he can see how well it suits her.

Dal - well done telling your HV what for, its shocking how much it seems to vary. Like a couple of others I have been really lucky with my community MW and HV (though my hospital care was crap so swings and roundabouts I guess). The HV weighed Millie who is 7lb 13 now and didn't lose anything from her birthweight - I was so pleased and relieved as both the DTs lost more than 10% of their birthweight. it seems Millie the chubster has no intention of doing anything other than getting big!

Mrs Mar - sorry to hear about Luca losing some weight but sounds like you have got it all sorted now with some intense feeding.

Nettee - glad to hear little Amy is picking up, bless her. Is it weired being a MW when you are on the "other side" ie. being a mum. I find it really weird being a patient when I am usually the nurse and it is happening to someone else.

Holly - so sorry to hear about your nightmare 4 days in hospital being really ill and so glad you are feeling better now. Are you going to complain when you have got settled?

CCpink and Emilia - welcome to the other side! What a pretty name.

Canadianmum - school runs, feeding, buttering toast - you sound like supermum! Like yours, one of my DTs is a bit rough with Millie, her "stroking" bears more than a passing resemblance to a slap!

Sophus - so glad your hands are getting better and well done Linus on his weight gain - clever boy (and Mum)!

Purple - glad you got the hospital visit done and dusted, sounds like dear Cerys was so good, it must have been horrible for you to see her distressed (Hugs). Hope you have a bit of breathing space until you have to go again.

MrsBumblebee - so sorry to hear about the mastitis, it sounds horrible for you. Glad the antibiotics are starting to help and that your mum is there to help you out with Paul util you recover a bit. Get well soon x.

kinki - well done on Liam's weight gain and having your 3 DSs so well sorted and trained by the sounds of it. how are you getting on with DH having swanned off and living the life of Riley in posh hotels and watching Kevin Bloody Wilson (love him!)? just think how many favours and lie-ins he will owe you for this - store them up and use them bit by bit. Me and Dh have a points system for when the other one has some "me" time. Curry with the girls - only one point as DCs asleep anyway; him going rock climbing with mates - about 10 points as it involves whole day, three mealtimes and bathtime so I can exchange it for a haircut, shopping trip and several curries A week away with mates sounds like a good one - its my 40th next year as well!

Anyway, supposed to be sleeping as naughty Millie was up all night wanting to play.

thanks fiofio, am just not feeling too good at this feeding thing at the moment Have to go as she's just woken up!

MrsB, good luck at the osteopath, hope all goes well. We took ds1&2 to the European School of Osteopathy in Maidstone. You can't be too far from me.

Hammer, I'm liking your points system. I might just give it a try.

Hi Laksa, firstly congratulations on little Bella. A water birth at home sounds fantastic. Sorry to hear about the tears, hopefully they'll heal without the need for surgery. Try not to feel too bad about that 'overwhelming' feeling you have. All of us have been getting it, including those of us with older kids who you'd think would know what we are doing. I think these feelings are closely linked with the post-natal hormone surges we have to cope with. Its still early days for you so you're supposed to be feeling all over the place, iyswim. But to answer your questions, (and I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination) I don't think there is any reason to keep Bella awake any longer than she wants to at this age (imo at any age). The only exception would be to stimulate her in order to keep her awake for feeding. I had to do this with Liam in the first few weeks. If I didn't he wouldn't feed properly. To wake him (I'm a cruel mum) I'd change his bum with cold water before a feed and maybe undress him a bit to cool him down. If he was really sleepy when feeding I would squeeze his earlobe to wake him up again.

Its not unusual for the los to feed little and often in the early days. About 5-15 mins every 1/2/3 hours is what Liam did when he was Bella's age, it would vary day to day. He's 5 weeks now and mostly goes about 3 hours, but we've had the odd day lately where he wants it every 1-2 hrs.

I struggle with burping (well not me, but you know what I mean!) too. Have you had a chance to read a few posts down, I think it was yesterday or maybe the day before when we were discussing the same thing, and a couple of people had a few suggestions.

Try not to worry about your milk drying up. Lots of regular feeding should prompt supply. Try to get lots of skin to skin with Bella as this helps. In fact, can you take to your bed for a couple of days, just you and Bella with the only thing on the agenda is feeding whenever she wants it. Mrs M has done this and it sounded like it helped her. In fact if you want some more information about feeding, have a search for Mrs M's threads in the feeding section (hope that's ok me saying that Mrs M), because she got lots of really good advice from some very experienced people.

Hang on in there. It does get easier as the days go by. It sounds like you are doing great anyway. And remember those feelings of overwhelmedness (made that word up) are usually short lived. Take care.

Laksa, sorry was typing very slowly while you were posting, didn't mean to ignore you - congratulations on the arrival of baby Bella and well done on having your home waterbirth, brilliant! Hope your tears are settling and you won't need surgery.

Would agree with Fio and kinki, she is very new and tiny and sounds like she and you are doing everything just right, even if she isn't feeding for long she will be stimulating your milk supply every time she does. Millie is 2.5 weeks now and there is still often no pattern to her feeds - sometimes she feeds for 5 mins, sometimes 30 mins, sometimes going 1 hour between feeds, sometimes 4! I am trying to relax (much easier said than done - she is no.3 and there are still some overwhelming times!) and let her find her own pace as she will know better than me when she is having a growth spurt!

As for burping, babies are so different, Millie barely needs winding most of the time, and I think some advice is not to other winding BF babies, but I know some are very windy. If she seems settled maybe leave her? As her mum, you WILL know her better than anyone, even if it doesn't always feel like it . Keep up the good work, sounds like you are doing ace.

Congratulations Laksa! I'm on my third child and I'm still in awe of people who seem to have this bf'ing lark licked!! I still find it all a bit daunting but here's a bit about my experience, just to reassure you that we're all different:

When I first started feeding Cerys, she was still in the incubator so I had to express my milk using the hospital machine. I started off doing five minutes on each boob and increased it to 10 minutes on either side over a couple of days. I only ever got about half an ounce to an ounce out though . When I was able to feed her, I was spending about half an hour on each side, in which time I reckon she got about 10-20 minutes out of me (20 is optimistic!) due to winding etc and trying to keep her awake. It was taking anything up to an hour or more to feed her each time!

I read somewhere that we're looking to hear them make the 'k' sound when sucking btw. Anyway, when we got home my hv suggested sticking to one side for each feed so Cerys gets the 'hind milk' so we did that for a while but it took about 40 minutes to fill her up! Soon after that, we started topping her up with a bottle and I stuck to doing one boob per feed but in the last few days, I've gone back to giving her a bit of each side as she seems to get frustrated when my boobs get softer because they're not as full iykwim.

So, all in all, it varies from baby to baby, mum to mum and even boob to boob . (Cerys seems to prefer my left boob and it seems to produce more milk - whats that all about!?).

I agree, she's probably too young to keep her awake on purpose apart from when you're actually feeding. When I'm doing both boobs, I often change Cerys in between to keep her awake. I also tickle her feet, stroke her jawline or play with her hands to keep her awake when feeding but you'll find what works for you in time...

Gotta dash - she's waking for a feed!! I'll be back later to catch up properly...

((((hugs to all))))
PLP xxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi everyone - dashing on real quick. have decided to escape to my mums for a long weekend as DH is working long hours...i have loaded the car and am shocked at how much little babies need! have great weekends all and catch up on monday.

laksa (also posted you on antenatal thread) - please dont worry about how long your lo feeds for...we are all different and how long our bubs feed for depends on how efficient they are at getting your milk and how fast your milk flow is. also, your lo is still bery small so dont worry.

also be aware of a growth spurt coming soon - babies out the blue need to feed lots more frequently for about 24 hrs. is perfectly normal and no indicator that you arent producing enough milk.

re the winding, some babies just arent windy. on the postnatal thread, we discussed winding a few days ago-have a read. for me, the biggest sign that your baby has wind is when you try to lie them down - they start crying, face goes red and they pull their legs up.

when is your baby next due to be weighed? that is the best way of checking that they are feeding ok. also - keep an eye on how often they dirty nappies and colour of their poo. both are indicators that your baby is feeding well and digested their food.

am sure you are doing great. have trust in yourself, it will come together!

Hello everyone - Laksa congratulations on your home waterbirth, how fabulous. Sounds like your little one is doing fine. If she settles after feeds then she is probably getting enough milk and 3 hourly is very normal. Is she waking for her feeds? You will probably find she has more alert periods as time goes on.

HammerHeadShark - yes it is quite strange being on the other side of the job. Especially when things aren't going so well and I feel I don't know what to do about it. Amy gained 10g in the two days before yesterday which is not brilliant but we are sticking to the frequent feeding plan and the dirty nappies are becoming yellower so fingers crossed for a bigger weight gain by tomorrow. The latching on pain has nearly gone now and so I am beginning to enjoy breast feeding and I really don't want to have to top up with formula - Just have to keep prioritising rest and feeding. It is hard getting up in the night for feeds when we would both rather be asleep.

Mrs Bumblebee - sounds like you have had a rough time, hope the c/o helps and that the mastitis stays away.

Well then, today has all been a bit of a blur for me so far. Dropped ds off at nursery, then went to see mw at 10.30, she did a sweep (wasn't that uncomfortable by the way) and then pronounced that she thought he might still be breech so sent me off straight to hospital for a scan. Got there at 11.30, had scan.... and he is breech because she did me a sweep they don;t want to leave me over the weekend, so I am going in for a cs tomorrow morning 8am my mind is all a whirl, thought I would let you all know, and then I am going to repack my bags now I know what's happening. Will probably be in hospital till monday/tues if there are no problems. So much to sort out and do this afternoon now, must get on, will catch up with you all later.

Oh and any tips on what to pack seeing as I know it is now a cs would be useful

Mrs Fish - good luck for tomorrow - must be a shock to the system. Packing for a cs - hmm they will give you a wash after so bring a flannel and some liquid soap type stuff for them to use. If you want a particular CD playing in theatre then bring that. And yes pads and disposable knickers. Also baby clothes for 3 days and a few nighties for you. My other advice having just been through this is to take as much pain relief as they will give you and make sure you are topped up before you try and get out of bed. I found the actual surgery bit amazing and completely pain free and was on a high for quite a while.

Laksa - just occured to me to say - have you discovered Kellymom.com? Lots and lots of reassuring breast feeding advice here. also are baby's poos bright yellow yet? If so then all is probably well but as someone said the weight is the key thing.

Just wanted to pop in and say hi!

I haven't had much time to log on recently but i've been thinking of you all xx

Just off out for dinner with a few friends and we're taking the babies with us! Going to Pizza Express in Farnham where the restaurant has seperate rooms so we've asked to be out the way!

Alex is doing well feeding lots and weighed 8lb 14oz today - a pound over his birth weight at 2 1/2 weeks!

We're off to devon tomorrow so i won't have internet access until next weekend so hope you're all well in the mean time and i'll try and catch up properly then

Mrs Fish - good luck for today, how exciting that you finally get to meet your little one! Echo the BIG knickers and take all offered pain relief advice.

Just copying this from the ante-natal thread: I got this message from Mrs Fish:

"Ben couldn't wait till this morning.. he beat me to it. Waters went at 11pm, contractions started at 11.45 had emergency section and he was born at 1.47am weighing in at 8lb 11oz. Head of blonde hair just like S, both of us are doing very well x"

Congratulations Ben and Mrs F, and daddy and big bro too! Got a feeling this little one will keep you on your toes all right - keeping you waiting then coming in a big rush! Looking forward to seeing a picture.

dal - just wanted to pop in and say thanks for your good luck message to me on the Oct thread - just seen it! We're back home now and had an equally positive experience of our elective section. Hope all continuing to go well for you! x

Ahhhhh, here you all are

Haven't had a chance to catch up on the posts but wanted to let you know that my beautiful daughter has arrived.

Evie Martha Jones was born at home on the morning of the 3oth, weighing 7lb 4 oz - so she was a September baby!

Hope I'm the last one

Look forward to catching up with all the news when I get the hang of this typing with babe in arms thing

congratulations Willjo

Hooray - Amy has finally put on some weight -100g/4oz in 2 days. Have been discharged by the midwives. I am so relieved

CONGRATULATIONS to MrsFish, willjo and alicet!!!!!

Sorry I haven't been around - I think I'm coming down with a cold and Cerys seems to be all groggy too so I hope she hasn't got it .

I read back my post from the other day and I feel awful - please don't think I was suggesting topping up by any means!! The only reason we're doing it is because of Cerys's problems etc - I would suggest you only consider doing it if your mw or hv tells you to. Sounds like you're doing really well laksa and you don't need to even think about topping up. How is it going by the way?

I've posted a question in the feeding bit but I thought I'd ask you guys if you've used Gripe Water and if so, how did you administer it? We bought some this morning as the infacol doesn't seem to be helping with the colic. I'm using a syringe at the moment and from what I've read, it seems it shouldn't be added to the milk - any other bright ideas!?

Love to all, hope you're all doing well!?

PLP xx

Mrs Fish - CONGRATULATIONS (AT LAST!) and welcome to Ben, he does sound like he might be a bit cheeky, causing so much drama before he was even born . Hope you are recovering well.

Willjo - congratulations and welcome to little Evie, what a beautiful name and well done on your home birth. Enjoy.

Nettee - so pleased to hear little Amy has had a growth spurt, that sounds a really good gain for just a couple of days, well done with whatever you have been doing .

Had to take Millie to the docs today as her gummy eye has got worse. Had to walk there as I have not checked with my insurance company when I can drive and it was much further than I remembered! Was very hufty pufty with an aching scar when I arrived so walked back much more slowly and handed the baby to DH and collapsed into a coma-sleep on the sofa for two hours - am clearly not ready for walking or excerise of any kind yet . On the plus side her eye seems much better already, though to teach me a lesson for putting her drops in she just did a colossal projectile vomit all over me then started chewing on her little fists to let me know she was ready to start again - I could swear she was doing an evil-genius "mwah ha ha" style laugh as I lobbed out a boob AGAIN.

Well done nettee! I know how worrying it can be when they're struggling to put on weight, what a relief! xx

Awww Hammer! You obviously needed that sleep bless you! Glad that Millies eye is clearing up xx