October 2007 - the golden piglets have landed

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I couldn't find a postnatal thread - not sure if I am just missing it with post-childbirth brain! Anyone else around??

ejt we have had more than an attempt and helllll yeahhhhh it all still works lol

Hi everyone - hope you all had good nights, or at least better than mine! The good thing about doing this second time round is that I can keep telling myself that this really doesn't last long at all- it's only a phase!

inzi - you poor love. Hang on in there cause you're doing so well and I for one am extremely jealous of your nights!! I'd get your nipple looked at it - better to get these things treated early on, although as I remember when mine got infected they said to keep it clean and dry as often as you can (get it out in the air!) and to keep feeding. My DS was very like your LO. would feed for hours, more comfort than eating and you do pay the price - have you tried a dummy for the inbetween feeds?? I did after what I read Alice had said about it being a godsend and it did help a lot yesterday (thanks Alice! - question though, how long did it take Adam to get the hang of keeping it in?? and how long did you have to sit with him holiding it at first??) hope you have a better day today - and don't stress about crying, very normal.

i have a quik poo related question - Madeleine's are still very runny/watery and sometimes green, sometimes yellow. The HV menonned it may be lactose overload but we've been do much longer feeds to get past that and it does help. Do you think this could be immature digestive systems or something I sholud get checked? Other than that,she's very content and putting on weight, so not unduly worried - just wondering if anyone else has this?

hope you all have a good day and I'll check in later.

Am very today ... need your advice and support here

Nellielou - can't remember how old your baby is, but Rory's were variable in colour and consistency for the first 4 weeks. He was gaining weight, feeding well - so my HV said not to worry. My dd had green poos consistently for 3 months - that was the time to worry, but I don't think in early stages it's uncommon to have variability.

Inzi - you are doing great. Totally normal to be up and down and weepy and overwhelmed. Sorry about the sore nipples. Just a suggestion but I've found that if I feed consistently every 3 hrs ( or even 2 1/2 ) during the day and night at the beginning it has led to more settled periods and better feeds. I know it's tempting to let them sleep for as long as they want to, but I think they can then go a bit mad and chew you to bits for the next few hours. Good idea suggested to try dummy, or simply taking Jane off your breast after 20 minutes. She may well be comfort sucking and it's not comfortable for you! Put her in a pram and take her for a walk ( or ask someone else to) or pat her on you until she sleeps. You do need to give your nipples a break!
Hope today is better.
ps also find chocolates help.

Inzi big hugs honey. Yes it does get easier and less painful with time. There is lots of bf related advice earlier on in this thread about coping with sore nipples. Personally I found nipple shields a life saver with both my boys - you can use them just long enough to let your nipples heal then try again as normal. The NCT bf support line is great- you don't have to have gone to their classes or be a member to use this service - 0870 4448708.

Ejt - big hugs honey. I've posted on your other thread x

Nellie - Adam wouldn't take a dummy the first few times I tried. Then when he did decide to take it he held it in his mouth really well. I was advised that its better not to hold it in - just put your finger about a cm away so if it is going to fall out they will suck it back in again - then they learn to hold it in quicker. Also when they are sucking it well pull gently on it to encourage them to suck it back in. This will teach them to hold it in apparently. Sometimes Adam still doesn't hold it in very well but I think this is when he doesn't really want it. When he does its not a problem.

Can't remember who was asking about sex? Obviously I am intact down below but we haven't tried yet. Been too tired really. And had lots of guests! Also I still have a bit of discharge (sorry if tmi!) so will try when that settles....

Anyway Adam is beginning to grizzle so off to cuddle him. Will be back on later - all good in our house though!

any advice? thinking of using a dummy to comfort lo in between feeds but only just over 2 weeks old a advice for bf babies is not to use one till 1 month? feel it would really help to comfort him but don't want him to get 'nipple confusion'. Anyone else used one ealier than 1 month?

dal - I used one with ds from about 2 weeks, and he was fine - I've been using one to help calm Mairwen for the past couple of weeks, and she's fine too ... a lot of the problems (I think) are when people use the dummy all the time and the baby isn't feeding enough as a result ...

I haven't relented to DH yet as regards sex, I'm making him wait till I have had my six week check also need to sort out contraception, don't want to go back on the pill so I think I may try the coil, anyone had this? Any advice?

Ben has settled into a one feed a night, had his last feed at 11pm last night and didn't wake till 4.30am, I can deal with that for the time being Although yesterday was a struggle, good fun though, it was MiL's birthday and I made DH drive home, so I got a bit pissed , not great when in charge of a baby though I ended up falling asleep with ds1 when I took him to bed at 6.30 and woke at 8pm, then stayed awake till Ben settled again at 12.30am

dal I know lots of people who have used dummies much earlier than 1 month with no problems with the bf

oh well might give it a try then, he settles well through the night but seems to want to suck for comfort during the day, think he's a bit colicky too as he holds on to his burps a lot so got some infacol to try today, hope everyone else is doing ok

hi all had a quick scan through,

inzi poor you , i can second using a dummy, Shannon has it no problem, she's not too impressed with a bottle, i get a right dirty look, but she'll take one, it does get better, keep at it

ejt-not had chance to read your other thread properly, i'm crap at advice but hugs to you and dh

sex-whats that!?

oh got to go, lo screaming for attention again, hope to be back later.

I had to I had to use a dummy - DS only three weeks old. I hadn't planned to but my nipples are badly cut up and I knew he was comfort feeding. He can be on my breast for fifty minutes, come off himself and then start acting like he wanted to eat again. I hope I can take it away from him again soon but in the mean time I need to use it.

Can anyone else not stop eating? I just seem to be hungry all the time. I am never going to loose the baby weight the way I am going.

Glad it's not just me ... and I'm not attracted to the good stuff either ...

Think it's worse because I'm tired.

Mind you, I've made a conscious decision to indulge myself food-wise until after Christmas, then it's back to Slimming World for me (you can follow a modified form of their plan while you're breastfeeding)

Well, took Mairwen for a session of cranial osteopathy - now we have to wait and see if it does the trick ...

No I just want biscuits and chocolate.

I thought my thrush was getting better but it seems really sore again

I wrote this yesterday and have only just had the time to post it.

Ahh the joys of motherhood!

hi all!

Henry was weighed on thurs and had only lost 1/2 a gram! So all that 2 hourly feeding he does in the day is paying off.

MIL stayed the week to help out and has been a little angel so i have to say scrub all i said about her before she hjas certainly more than redeemed herself. She did all the cooking and cleaning and all i had to do was to to llok after Henry. There were no comments on b/f and, in fact, she was even encouraging me! He feeds like mad during the day and then goes around 2/3 hours ish in the night which I am just about handling.

Henry is still in bed with us ( I know, I know...) but it is so lovely to want to cuddle him (I didn't have that with Ollie and really, he didn't have that either with dh or me) I can't resist it. He seems to find me comforting and I LOVE THAT!!!!

SIL + boyfriend came to stay last night and it was okay with the house full. I don;t seem to mind b/f this time round with others in the room (well, FIL + the boyfriend were upstairs whilst I was downstairs with MIL + SIL) am even feeling brave enough to venture out next week but we shall see...

Tomorrow is the first time on my own with the 2 boys and I'm not to sure how it will go as Ollie is loving Henry but still seems to be uspet with me. We played pillow fights yesterday and he loved it (so did I!) but then I had to go and feed Henry and it was all back to 'Daddy this, daddy that..

Anyone got any tips for re-bonding with number 1 after number 2's born? We are getting refusal to eat without a fight, bedtime moanings and getting up at 5.30 AM!!! and refusing to go back to bed.

And this is today's post.....

Well, this morning started off well as I managed to get us all dressed in the right clothes for 9am which I was mighty chuffed at I can tell you!! We then went for a walk with the dogs and Henry had his nap in the pram and stayed asleep when we got home long enough for me and Ollie to make cakes (thank god they only take 20 mins though)

BUT

This afternoon Ollie has been an absolute nightmare doing all the things he KNOWS he's not supposed to do then smirking at me when I tell him off. He's played with his cars in the dogs' water bowl, spat his drink out back inot his glass made everything into a drum when Henry was trying to sleep yet quietened down when he was awake. Cbeebies no longer seems interesting for and he completely trashed the living room with a friends 4 year old when they came to visit jumping on the sofa, playing on the stairs etc.
I think you get the jist of things now....

He's at nursery tomorrow so thank go for small mercies.

Just off to read through the posts, back later -yeah, who am I kidding?
emma
x

Muppet big hugs! Sam has mostly been lovely with Adam but he is a bit bashy at times so we need to stay vigilant esp when he has metal cars in his hand!!!! Not had to cope on my own though - sure I will have some 'moments' then.... No tips - think in a way Sam being a bit younger makes the jealousy thing easier but brings with it other problems...

Thanks though for your tip on the breast pad in the moses basket - works a treat and has given us the last 3 evenings!!! And I love the co-sleeping too - not so much this time but with Sam we did a combination of that and moses basket for the first 6 weeks. Still occasionally sleep with Adam on my chest though and I love it too...

Hello everyone,
Sorry to hear that lots of you are having a hard time.

Inzi, do get your nips checked by the midwife. You could do without an infection right now. I had a cracked nipple which was agony but the lanisoh and a day or two of not feeding on that nipple (using a pump to express milk instead) helped.

Ejt, looked at your other thread and don't have any good advice but just wanted to say sorry you're having a hard time right now and big hugs

Stefka, I've been eating loads of biscuits too but that's just about all I've been eating. I don't seem to find the time or the spare hands during the day to make any more complicated food than tea and biscuits. The baby weight seems to have dropped off though. I'm still a stone heavier than pre-pregnancy but I seem to be shrinking quite fast. Not in a good way though. I feel like I need to be eating better to keep my energy and my milk supply up.

Who mentioned sex?! My DP has dropped some hints a few times and I'm putting him off until the 6 week check (if not longer!). I actually feel quite scared by the thought of it. I worry about the episiotomy stitches (not to mention sore boobs and general exhaustion!).

Anyway, I've been having a bad few days myself. We've moved back to my flat (we were staying in someone else's flat to be closer to my mum after the birth but it all turned out to be more hassle than it was worth) which I've just found so stressful and tiring. I spent almost all of yesterday in tears. DD seems to be feeding more often than normal too which is adding to my exhaustion. Maybe she's having a growth spurt? She's had a few really grumpy days and nights where she won't stop crying whatever we do. Not sure if she's ill or if it's colic or what. One way or another I feel like a total wreck!

Today was a bit better. SIL came and helped me get DD to the hospital for her hearing check. Good news is that her hearing is fine.

Oh, got to go...I can hear her waking up.
PS. I've been using a dummy since she was about 3 weeks. I know some people say you shouldn't but she does a lot of comfort sucking and it seemed to calm her down. She seems to have gone off it a bit now though and prefers a finger (or a nipple obviously!).

Hope you all get a good night.
x

Big hugs missbumpy - what you describe in your dd feeding and not settling very easily is exactly how Adam was for a while. Have to say for us it seems as though formula and dummies have made the difference! Also though (as I know you want to bf for as long as poss) a sling really helped to settle him. I had a baby bjorn but have just bought a hug-a-bub which is SO much better and worth its weight in gold.... Good luck!

Well Adam is asleep in his hug-a-bub as we speak and mum and sis are bathing Sam. I am cooking tea and chilling! Nice!

Meant to say as well that Choc is being induced tomorrow - think she will be the last of the Oct girls to give birth. She posted about half an hour ago on the antenatal thread so obviously nothing has happened as yet but one way or another will be over here at last soon!

Hallo, I can finally come over here now - thank goodness! Its great to read these threads and realise, I am normal after all!

Been weepy as hell the last two days for no good reason and was thinking I was just a nutter DP been really struggling as to knwo what to do with me but I only have to look at Lottie and I can burst into tears. Especially as she now has real tears when she cries

BF - hmmm, I seem to be struggling with this as I don't seem to give her enough milk but it appears to pour out of me so don't know whats going wrong. Just about to go and set off the dairy milking machine to see if that increases the output. Struggling to get her latched on properly and interrupt her often as she slips off into the agonising nipple only strangle hold!

Thrush - i think i have that too - I had stitches as well so whats the remedy? Can't possibly face anything internal (ever again probably!!! lol)

Sex - no way but I'm only 5 days past the whole birth experience! Good God was anyone else a little surprised at the birth process - I had the synto drip so don't know if that's harder and faster than normal but will be needing a general anaesthetic for any more

Dummies - I use one in between feeds and we do have the problem of keeping it in. The timy MAM ones seem to be the best result so far - they are a little rougher on the teat which seems to help them stay in?

Seeing midwife tomo so will check the stitches and the thrush and the nipples - lol. No dignity any more!!

Infacol - what a godsend!! I resorted to this on day 2 t home and it really helps Lottie with her colic. She possets really badly and screams in pain with her tummy but since she's been on infacol i would say its improved by about 80%

OK I'll stop rambling and hook myself up to a machine!!!

Take care all and lots of hugs to everyone

xxx

Detsy - sounds like you're doing great honey. All your worries and comments are exactly how I was feeling so early on and I'm sure lots of the others will say the same! Hang in there - it DOES get better!

Anyway - better go and actually DO something - still here with Adam in the hug a bub while my family do all the work! Best go finish cooking the dinner so I don't feel as though I'm taking the mick!!!!

Meant to ask...

Had my 6 weeks check today (can hardly believe its been so long!) and the subject of contraception came up. After pointing out hat 2 under 2 was proving very effective at the mo he mentioned as an option the mirena coil. As it seems to be the most effective short of sterilisation it is very attractive. Does anyone have any experience of these? Apparently it can be pretty uncomfortable to have it put in but other than that sounds only positive. I'd be interested to hear if any of you have had one and what you thought.....

thanks alicet. i've got a hug-a-bub too DD loves it. tends to send her straight to sleep. do you find your LO gets really overheated in it if you're walking around?

no experience of the coil but sounds ouch to me!

detsy, congratulations! i felt just like you (and still do a lot of the time ) my hormones are all over the place and i've been really weepy. breast feeding is really hard but is getting easier. I'm going to a bf 'cafe' tomorrow to get some support. i was shocked by how hard the birth was too. i knew it would hurt but nothing can prepare you for that!

has anyone got any tips on pushchairs? i'm using a hand me down, flat pram but finding it really heavy, and hard to use. I want to get a stroller type thing. any tips?
x