December 2007 - Santa's come early for some of us...

[Housemum]

Thought I'd start off the new thread as I've never started one before - congratulations to those of you who are on here now - hope I'll be joing you in the not-too-distant future!

of the good nights! Still waiting for the magic turning point here... He does seem slightly less windy now though.

Pecka it may have been the formula as it is meant to take longer to digest than bm BUT it may also have just been the fact it was in a bottle-dd used to cluster feed all evening then do 1.5-2 hourly feeds through night but once I started giving her her bedtime feed in a bottle she would then sleep until 12/1 am and then just wake once or twice before morning. When I started giving that feed as formula she didn't go any longer than when it had been ebm-it was taking it from a bottle that made the difference.

Fifi - i tried to get some sleep but the phone rang then remembered we were out of nappies for DD so went to the shops then fed DS in back of car in ASDA car park them home to DD who needed a quick walk in the pram for a nap as she was shattered after childminders, now DS is awake so think I'll forget ideas of sleeping and get a hot choc instead!

Pecka thats a great improvement, I agree with Clairey that I dont think it is the formula but that the bottle was a success. Going to wait another 1.5 wks (til DS is 6wks old) then start a bottle of EBM at night myself.

Quite enjoying breast feeding now and loath to start all the hassle of sterilising etc....although am very of long night sleeps....
Am going to Center Parcs in 3 weeks - LO will be 7 weeks so will hold off bottle until after that as will be easier while away...

afternoon all.

can i join the boob-thrush club? hv diagnosed yesterday on the basis of woodwork-vice-like boob pain about half an hour to an hour after feeding, and dd's white tongue. gp prescribed daktaryn for both of us (and pessary for me as seems to be both ends, iykwim- sorry if tmi), but can't see how this will sort out problem if it's in milk ducts rather than just on nips.
HV said thrush/badly treated mastitis was main reason for people giving up bf several weeks in, and that gp's and other often underestimate the trauma, both emotional and physical of having to keep doing something so painful. still, at least i know it's working - she's up to 7lb14 and a bit at 16 days from birth weight of 6lb 9. wot a porker!

this does explain why dora has been a bit cranky and fussy when feeding for the past few days, but a combination of the cream and the baby-whisperer seems to be working a bit, though only day 1 for both so could just be coincidence!

baby-whisperer book has been v. useful inasmuchas it has given me some idea about what the different squirms/squawks/screams mean - hadn't realised that babies got overtired so easily, and i reckon this has been the main cause of this past week's crankiness. doh!

Fifi - how funny, I think our babies were born around the same time, Martha was also 8lb at birth and is also now 11 lb 2oz!!Isn't that strange? Well we both must be doing something right as she is now on the 75th percentile for weight but only 25th for length so is obviously eating ALL the pies.

Macdoodle - will be interested what you think about Center Parcs with a baby as we are also considering it. DH wants some sun though and is keen to go away properly to eg Greece. I am not sure I can face a flight with a baby and a two-year-old (although we might as well get used to it if we are moving to Pakistan in the summer...)

ooooh BF is a trial isn't it?! people keep saying stick at it, it will be worth it eventually - WHEN??!! anyone here bf-ing for the 2nd or 3rd time remember when things improved before?

buzzy i think you have been asked this before but my fuddled brain can't remember the answer, do you solely use EBM, ie no bf? how do you fit in all the pumping? i am having such trouble with my latch it is a tempting option, but don't know if i am organised enough?

due to all dd's weight issues we have had to start using a bottle too - she is swapping between boob and bottle with no issues - i know every baby is different but it's been fine for us. her latch is still rubbish, but no more so than before the bottles.

oooh i think i'd be too scared to use the back carry with my sling!! have gotten around to washing it now, so maybe soon i'll actually use it!

for all of you with thrush/mastitis - nipple pain is no joke - i was in tears at one point saying to dh that giving birth hurt less than this!

interesting re longer sleeps after a bottle - why do you think that works? dd had been sleepin midnight till 5 or 6, but we have to wake her now to feed her up . aahhh the sleep was nice...

COngrats to all thos who've had a good night!! DD quite predictable now. Feed her at 9pm, put her down and after around half an hour to an hour of screaming she'll sleep til 5.30am.

Been to HV today and she said she's gonna send out a lady who does baby massage - thinks Holly may benefit from it. Here's hoping . She's stopped being sick now she's on the Gaviscon but still crying excessively when awake. Back to docs tomorrow to see if they've come up with a miracle cure yet...

dundee - the best treatment for thrush is fluoconozole tablets ( see breastfeedingnetwork.org for details) which some GPs don;t like to prescribe as it hasn;t undergone clinical trials (because unethical to conduct trials on little newborns) - I was initially prescribed the same as you but only fluoconozole seemed to clear it up. My HV reccommended I print of the leaflet about it at the link above and take it to the doc DEMANDING to be prescribed it!

Wizz - am so so pleased for you that bf is finally getting better. Like everyone else has said you have done amazingly well to keep it up this far and now you will reap the benefits. Nothing wrong with switching to FF at all but you are obviously very keen to bf given how much trauma you have endured so that is great news!!

I also feel like I've turned a bit of a corner with bf - barely hurts at all now and DS seems to be getting into a routine of every three hours during the day - although every 2 hours during the night which I am not so keen on. Might try the bottle of EBM as a last feed to see if that does anything..

I've got some horrid virus - temp of 40, shivering and sweats and excrutiating throat and cough - DH is off today and looking after the DCs - just bringing DS to me for feeds - think he is a bit pissed of but trying not to show it!

caz10 - great you DD is doing well at last - I also underfed my DD I think when she was little - our most common phrase was "But she CAN'T be hungry" but I think she just was. How is the thrush/pain etc?

Suey - very impressed with your routine. I just don't have the self-discipline to organise myself let alone someone else! I suppose they all get themselves into a routine eventually anyway... fingers crossed anyway

caz10 - turning point for me last time was 3 weeks but this time is (hopefully) 6 weeks - what you have been through is particularly horried though - hopefully this is it now though - how old is your DD now?

Claraq - is the Pakistan plan still on despite everything then? Was wondering about that the other day..

Have put pic of DS on my profile - isn't he cute?! [nauseatingly proud emotion]

Hello all, we're back from his scan. My little radioactive baby is fast asleep and we need to wear rubber gloves to change his nappies today cos he's still toxic Bless him! The children's ward and xray dept were lovely to us, he had a bit of a scream as they put the canula in his hand but all in all it wasn't too bad. As for the scan, he slept right through-yay! A miracle seeing as he needed to lie on a table for 30 mins without moving his back. I could've cried with happiness that he didn't know what was going on but dp got a bit weepy with emotion as he looked so 'medicalised' (if that's even a word) lying under the scanner. I was shaking but so relieved when it was over and we were let out straight away. Have to wait til 11thfeb for follow up appt but you could clearly see how blocked up his left kidney was, just don't know if they'll be happy to leave it and keep observing or operate....praying for
the first.

Glad to hear some of you have had some sleep. I think ds knew something was afoot last night, ie we had to get up v early for the hospital appt, he screamed til 2am!! Well actually I think it was wind then over tiredness. We've had such amazingly good nights since he was born and these past 2 have been hellish - ah well, he's only human I suppose

I'm going to buy the baby whisperer book if someone will please tell me that its NOT a strict routine?It sounds good if you can identify their cries more easily. After last night i do fancy something a bit more structured to ourdaily life just as long as its not involving times!

Dundee, your hv speaks sense doesn't she. I'm sure most people give up bf just before it gets easier/quicker/painless which is a shame really as the only experience of it is negative. That said, I can understand why, it hurts soooo much, sorry you've got thrush too..

I agree that its the bottle not the formula that can help with a full tummy at bedtime. I'm going to try expressing and knock the formula on the head...feel like my milk is sorting itself out after some huge cluster feeds

cazzybabs-well done on your week alone. I can't believe I was a single parent with dd as a baby as now i'm so used to having dp here helping every step of the way

Loucee, poor you,what a crap day, hope you managed ok

Clara - I think our babies were born with a day or 2 of each other. It is very strange isnt it how they were the same weight at birth and are the same weights now.

I was looking for ds1's health record book before coz im sure he was only about 11 lb when he was much older than Ethan. He was tiny compared to what Ethans like now.

Clara will feedback on Center Parcs must admit am bit nervous..but will be plenty of other adults to help including my great litle sis.....my dad is coming from SA and the thought of having to entertain him and stepmom for 2 weeks was daunting so we are all meeting for long weekend (them us my sis and BF and their friends)at Longleat....
At least breast feeding is going well so that helps

Caz10-I'd rather give birth than have boob pain too - although maybe only cos you get something nice at the other end of birth pain Promise, promise it will settled down this IS the worst bit. Believe me I was so pissed off myself last night and wanted to stop bf for good but those thoughts pass and when i remember the nice times of bf dd she was over 12 weeks and by the time she gave up at nearly 12 months i was the one who wanted to carry on!

Skid - AWWWWWWWW!!!!!!! Milo's just edible!

HB, glad the gaviscon is working, sorry she's still crying so much must be really wearing, have you got a sling? It works miracles when ds is cranky, I can get on and do a few bits around the house too or dance like a fool to the radio - ds was loving Zane Lowe on R1 last night, particularly any drum and bass - that's my boy

Lizzer, Caz, yes I've often said feeding is worse than labour pain. You can at least get pain relief if you need it when you're giving birth, and you don't have to revisit the pain every couple of hours for weeks.

Lizzer - your little man was very brave, bless him, can understand that it must have been very distressing for you and your dp, hope that you get a course of action that you are happy with as soon as possible.
Wizz - both your kids are utterly scrumptious!!

I too had a better night with ds, but still 2 hourly feeds. Had a good day with him, went to the hospital got my foot x-rayed, then off to Bumps and Babes, went home and had lunch, then HV came around and then we went out for a walk around the park! Want to walk every day but don't want to when it is peeing it down as it has been up until today. Dh is on about getting a treadmill as he needs more exercise, and I would probably use that as well, as I too need the exercise! Did mention to the HV of my plan to start swimming once I've had my PN check, plus still thinking of joining slimming world too.

Lizzer I was thinking of you earlier , so relieved it went ok and that its now behind you. We managed ok thankyou, glad DD is asleep and I've got a glass of red now!

Bouncing wow what a busy day for you! Very impressed you fitted all that into one day!

Caz do you think you'll go to the sling meet up in the WE? First time BF for me it was about 10 wks that thing settled for me but in all honesty I never felt like I understood the feeding or felt like I fulfilled DD's needs til she was about 4 months old!

Skid Milo is just gorgeous, thanks for sharing the pics

okay can anyone help? DS rarely seems content after a feed unless he's put straight into the buggy/carseat etc and even then he will have a few tears until I let him suck on my pinkie finger . Are your little ones totally settled after every feed or is that when you use a dummy? Do you spend a while rocking the baby carrier or car seat or rocking chair etc? I know he's getting a good feed each time, I mean his weight gain is good, he has really wet and dirty nappies and is usually sick once a day from what I believe is over eating! I can see milk coming out of my boobs after a feed so know I haven't run out!
I am not against dummies just not keen to use one if it's just going to make him even more suckly? Not sure why I feel so scared/nervous of using one (DD had one til 6 months).

pecka we do 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, wake up for bath about 6.15-6.30 ish (only to get in before ds1 has his bath) 7pm feed both sides, then bed, feed around 12am, 3-4am and then back on at 7am? hth (by the way it doesn?t always go to plan! ds only 5 wks old) we don?t do cluster feeding and I?ve never been able to do dream feeding ? I have no idea how to get my nipple into a sleeping babies mouth, ds doesn?t stir I just hold him and try and force nipple in with no success so gave up!

Dundee I?ve got daktaryn for ds for thrush but am taking fluconazole cause as you say thrush is in milk ducts ? gp said that it isn?t licensed for bfeeding mothers but he?s happy its ok and said the NCT did a research paper on it but I think some gps still don?t like to prescribe it, hope the daktaryn does the trick tho

caz I can?t remember when bfeeding got easier last time, I remember turning a corner sleep wise at 8 weeks (ds slept thro for the first time) and everything feeling loads more manageable at 12 wks but for some reason the feeding thing is a bit of a blur
I completely agree with everyone about how hard the feeding can be when in pain ? I have a problem at the moment that ds takes on loads of air every feed and comes off several times screaming, and then crys for about half hour after till all wind is out, turns the ?lovely? ?bonding? experience into a real emotional trial, doesn?t exactly make me feel good about myself for doing it to him ? only saving grace is he?s exactly the same on a bottle of ebm

loucee no ideas I'm afriad, ds isn't settled after any feed the dummy sometimes works and sometimes doesn't... with us its all about trying to wind him and he's very sensitive so sometimes he actually has finished and is screaming because he doesn't want to be jiggled anymore

lizzer try the baby whisperer its not a strict routine, it has some good ideas in there.

when I say tears I mean screams!

Insy some feeds DS acts the same, I hate it if anyone else sees him doing it (thrashing about, screaming, latching on/off, gulping, coughing) as feels as if I am being cruel bfing him! havent tried a bottle yet but if your DS does the same with that then no doubt mine will too.
Does your DS have a dummy all the time or just after feeds or when rooting for feed before its due? I'm sorry for all questions but trying to get myself back on track. DS was going 2/3 hrs between feeds during the day and taking a good feed each time. now though I've got into the habit of offering boob all the time as it instantly gets DS to sleep or calms etc and it's usually when DD is sleeping etc.

lily been feeding since 7pm help am at end tether will not settle at all

I can't remember who asked when the breastfeeding gets easier - I don't remember it just does, like the sleep - suddenly they start sleeping for longer and it just happenes and you can't put a date to it! IT will get getter...and for each child it gets easier too not that helps now of course!).

I am quite enjoying my time on my own (so far am waiting for it all to go wrong) but I culdn't be a single parent (hats off to those who are/have been)...and the school runs are killing me (and that is with help from some fasntic freinds who will never know how amaing they are)... must go to bed as Evie is fast asleep and has been for over 2 hours while I have been catching up on MN and facebook - opps)!!!

Macdoodle, know the feeling. I've just given DS a dummy and he's gone to sleep. He was feeding then dozing off, waking up then crying until fed again but not taking a feed (boobs feel empty anyway). I'm so tired I would've tried a bottle tonight if they were sterilised (got expressed milk in the freezer). I will go to be now he's gone to sleep.
Hope Lily settles soon. Will she sleep if you put her on your chest on her front and pat her back/rock her up and down?

Macdoodle is it colic? Have you tried putting her on her back and bicychling her legs - it would work for dd2 when she was like that. Or falling that shut her in a room and leave for 10 minutes for you to get soem peace and feel calm again.

Hugs

cazzy - hats off you you looking after 3 children whilst your DH is away. I found it hard enough with DS and DD today whilst DH was ill in bed with D&V bug!

Caz10 - I did not even try BF this time. I have inverted nipples and really struggled last time with DD1. This time launched into expressing from day 1 and made sure I did it regularly including during the night and have been very impressed if I say so myself!! I generally express at about 9am (when DD2 is often dozing on my bed) then about 2pm (DD2 needs a long afternoon nap - usually between 1-3pm), then about 9pm when she's in bed and again straight after the 2-3am feed (I do this is bed with DD2 lying beside me, she often goes back to sleep at which time I will just leave her in bed and co-sleep through to the 6am feed). I get between 6-9oz each time and in fact have been freezing one feed each day as have been giving formula at 10pm and 3am so could probably give 100% EBM - but I do think perhaps the formula will help her sleep longer (maybe wishful thinking!!) - and she did sleep for 7 hours for the first time 2 nights ago!!

TBH I don't think I will be able to continue doing this indefinitely but for the moment its working for us. I do feel like I'm constantly washing and sterilising bottles and pump. Also my boobs get very sore/engorged and tops get soaked if I try and go more than 6 hours without expressing which means I have to go back home again if I'm out and about. So all in all although its working for us and I'm proud that she's getting loads of BM, I'm not exactly sure I'd recommend for everyone!!

My DD1 thinks its hilarious BTW!!