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!

Caz10 - I think it is hard to distinguish between hunger & comfort sucking. DD gulps down her feed and then starts screaming for more. Everyone says she must still be hungry as she trys to suck anything that goes near her mouth but I'm sure it's because she drinks so fast that she doesn't give her tummy time to tell her she's full. I give her the dummy and she usually settles within 5 minutes. The doc also told me that babies with colic can't distinguish between hunger and pain which is why a feed will always settle them but a dummy will work just as well. If I fed her everytime she was sucking then she'd be taking at least double the recommended amount for her weight! I'd just stick with your instincts on that one.

Bouncingturtle - sorry to here you had a bad day, hope things have improved. I agree with the comment that it's just so up and down at the moment.

Fifi - If the hungry formula doesn't work maybe you could try warming the milk ( if you don't already) DD just has it at room temperature during the day & then we give her a warmed bottle at night - she drinks it much slower - could be worth a try. We also have probelms with her being sick (doc said some babies are just sicky all the time) we've found that rubbing her back really gently when winding has reduced the problem.

Had a better day yesterday. Took DD back to docs & he said it sounds like colic and there's not much we can do. He said that colic reaches a peak for about 2 weeks when the crying is excessive and thinks we are coming to the end of this so hopefully things should settle down soon and then go away altogether around 3-4 months. So we're off the Gaviscon and just taking things a day at a time for now. DD slept most of the day (went to mother-in-laws) so I thought I was in for a horrific night but only woke once at 2am

Oh... started my first period yesterday

hollybobs that is one thing I'm not looking forward to!

Can anyone who uses bottles, both EBM or formula, what you do when you're out and about? Never had to think of this before! But still having to give DD top ups, and would like to leave the house at some point...! Not quite sure if I'm trying to keep the bottles warm, cold or what?!

Hollybobs - Ethan has his milk at room temp and warmed at night as well.
But he just seems to be wanting it more often now which is fine but then when he does have it he can take it all and makes himself sick.
Are you using hungry baby formula?
Do you think if i give him this at night it might fill him up more, so then he wont want another bottle so soon after and make himself sick.
Someone else said its too hard for them to digest and they shouldnt have it but ds1 was having it by the time he was 3 weeks.

hi everyone

sorry to moan. I'm really worried about my insides. I went to the DR again this morning as it's starting to hurt in my back, it's all on the left side but not by my scar it's higher up than that. She took a swab and a urine sample and gave me antibiotics. She didn't really listen to me though as I was saying I've had a degree of this pain/discomfort ever since the CS. Came away in tears, I'm just tired and hormonal but I don't ever feel that I'm going to feel right again. The first Dr I'd gone to see on Monday didn't examine me and said to come back if not better (which I did today). I imagine all sorts of nasty things gone wrong with my body - the DR said maybe it's an infection up my fallopian tube .

DS had a fairly good night though, put him down at 7pm and he woke every 3 hours for food except instead of 7am he woke at 5.30 then 8am. We had been putting him up at 11pm when I go to bed (generally) as a lot of people I know had better success of babies going longer at night when they put them down later then gradually made it earlier when the baby was going say 11-5 etc.

How's everyone today?

Caz, my friend takes sterlised bottles with measured cooled boiled water in out with her then in a dispenser pot she has measured formula (available from etc) so when it was time for a bottle she put the formula into the bottle and shook then if necessary heated it up (either by getting hot water from a cafe or if she wasn't going to be near anything like that she would take a flask of hot water and add some hot water to the cold water in the bottle).

Hope that makes sense?

Loucee - poor you, the GP should have been more sympathetic to your concerns. Sounds like she just couldn't be bothered!! Hope you feel better soon, and the ABs kick in soon. Maybe you should see another doc next time?
Having a better day, though ds is still feeding every 2 hours! Been told that this is normal for a 4 week old and he will space his feeds out soon...

Bouncing - that was the 3rd Doc I've seen! She owns the practice so I've given up hope.
I'm not sure if I have an infection, I have had this pain since the CS but it's getting worse. Still, I'll be good and take the tablets and await the swab and urine test results and if it's not all better in a weeks time I'm going to demand a scan. My mind is doing circles imagining what on earth is going on inside.

Out of interest, those that had CS how are you all feeling physically?

Just think Bouncing, if you're son is eating every 2 hours in the day maybe he's filling up and will go 5/6 hours tonight {wishful/hopeful thinking]!!

Awen he is gorgeous!

Caz when dd was on formula I'd boil the water just before I left home and put it straight in the bottle then in an avent thermo bag. Depending how long it was until her feed it then either needed to be cooled a bit or was just right and I'd add the powder just before the feed. Never took ebm out with me I'm afraid but think it can be kept at room temperature for 6 hours.

Loucee, sorry to hear of your worries. Gp wasn't very sympathetic was she?!

Insy we have just come out of a growth spurt-now I'm making too much milk and ds gulps it down then pukes loads after a feed. Oh the joy!

LOL Amani-my dd decided to eat her crayons for breakfast the other day while I was feeding ds, and has also climbed onto dining table and eaten a whole box of chocolates (minus the insides which she scattered all over carpet)while I was upstairs changing his nappy! Feel like I need 2 pairs of hands and 2 sets of eyes most of the time!

HV came round this morning, DS has jumped to the 50th% and is now 10lb12. That's 25oz in 2 weeks! He is now bigger than dd was at the same age, despite his lower birth weight.

Loucee - fat chance he feeds like that during the night!!

Loucee my scar still quite sore and bruised - 4 weeks tomorrow and sometimes quite achey inside on R side just above scar...feeling better than I did but fra from normal and really feel it if I do something physical.....

Loucee - oh dear hun, hope you feel better soon.

Suey 2 - Sorry to hear you are having a bad time. Thought you might be interested in trying Dill Water. In the Indian culture breast feeding mothers are encourage to drink Dill water (boil dill seeds in a pot of water, cool and drink) so it passes through the breastmilk to baby, for the purpose of reducing wind/colic. It must have some sort of bearing as 'Gripe Water' is made also made from Dill. (It does taste rather vile though).

Claireybee - lol at your dd!

..and mcdoddle - hope the pain eases up quickly

macdoodle, yes I also really feel it if I push the pram or something.

clairey, thats fantastic weight gain!

toddler and baby combi, DD draws on the walls with her crayons when I'm busy with DS so I've taken them off her. Now she has her Aquadraw which are fantastic but the wee lovely that she is has worked out how to take the tops off and spill all the water out!

Yay it's stopped snowing, I can take them both out for a quick walk to get them to sleep

How are things in the Amani household ??

Hello Loucee!!

Still have a boob pains, saw HV today and she said if it doesn't clear up with this set of antibiotics then I've got to request a scan to get it investigated as I've had it for over 4 weeks now.

Other than that all is ok, my cousin came around to see Aliya - got her all broody!

DD1 at nursery and DD2 asleep, so enjoying a rare bit of 'me' time!!

...And how is the Loucee household today?

thanks amani-will try that

Amani, sorry had to get DD from childminders.
Sorry you've still got boob ache. I hope it goes soon so you can finally just boobie feed without all this pain.
We are just fine, we've all had the D&V bug recently but feeling much better now.
Going to brave toddler group tomorrow with both DD and DS then go to our friend's house, I am sure I'll be shattered afterwards!

Fifi - no we're not using hungry formula although I might be tempted to if she carries on scoffing the way she is now! Gonna see what her weight gain is next week and see what the HV thinks. Which brand of milk do you use? We're on C&G and they have a helpline number you can call or just email one of their experts (they get back to you the next day). I've emailed them loads and always get good advice back. Maybe you could ask them and see what they think??

loucee i have had no problems with my CS at all. Slightly numb around the scar and it was a little sore the day after i had hauled her in and out fo the car too many times but that is it. Good luck- i hope the ABx do the trick

Suey, the GP mentioned I could get a scan if I'm still experiencing this pain, it almost feels like I've pulled a muscle but gets more sore than that.
Meant to ask after your Dad Suey, how he is? Have your parents told you what awful weather we have dad? Today it's rained, sleet, hail then snow! Thankfully it hasn't settled though.

It's been clear here down on Teesside, just blahdy cold and horrible icy wind which meant I decided not to go for a walk! Went to seem some friends. Have had a better day today.

Caz10 - I put the EBM in the fridge straight after expressing. When we go out I've learned to take THREE (!!) potential feeds with me just in case. I take 2 lots of EBM (about 4-5oz each) and one lot of boiled water. My nappy bag has 2 insulated pockets and I also have a thermal bag. I put one lot of EBM in the thermal bag and the other 2 in the pockets. I always use the EBM from the pocket first, then the other EBM from the thermal bag then (in an emergency) the water which I make up on the spot with formula powder. Avent do a container with 3 compartments which can hold up to 6 scoops of formula so I always carry that around with me - ATM with 2 scoops in each compartment (i.e. enough for 100ml). That way you can just tip straight into a bottle of 100ml water and know you've got the right amount.
Actually the main problem I have is that sometimes the EBM is still quite cold from the fridge (especially in the thermal bag) but have not yet asked to have it heated - I just give it to DD regardless and she seems to cope OK (a few frowns! ) But it is summer here in NZ so actually can sometimes be quite good to cool her off a bit if she's been getting a bit sweaty in her carseat.
She is feeding roughly 3 hourly so with these supplies I can be out for up to 6 hours.
The other thing you need is plenty of bottles - I have 7! (I use Avent with a number 2 teat).

HTH!

Bloody hell buzzy that is sooo organised ..I can barely get out the house for an hour in between feeds never mind with feeds for 6 hours
Am going to London in 2 weeks for weekend and then to Center Parcs week after and am feeling decidely anxious
AND this is no 2...how old is your LO now??

Hi Macdoodle - sounds like you'll have a nice break

Beatrix is 4 weeks old on Sunday, and DD1 will be 6 years old in April. I work as a project manager for my job so maybe that has something to do with it!!

I feel very blessed with DD2 - she really is a very easy baby. Sleeps really well during the day and generally only wakes once at night so that helps enormously. I feel I have to try and get out and about for the sake of DD1. Summer here as well so would be a real shame to stay inside

ooh exactly like me Lily 4 weeks today and DD1 is 6 - I also have quite an organised/responsible job but at the moment I feel like mush ....ok am going to get more organised from next week