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!

Daniel is feeding about 8 - 10 times a day, anywhere between 5 - 20 minutes. More towards the 5, apparently he is a very efficient feeder, and I have very fast flow!

From what the BFC told me there is a wide variation in feeding times, some babies are leisurely feeders, some are not. Plus at this age, there won't be much of a recognisable pattern as baby has yet to develop one.

bf amounts - we just have one side about 20 mins

clairey - my ds is really windy too and think the forceful let down might be the problem, sounds like we had the smae kind of night you did, are you finding it tough bfeeding and not getting a break? I'm starting to think I'd like to share the night time with dh but don't want to give up feeding just yet... its hard with no sleep tho, he's been really unsettled all day too, saw HV and he's putting on weight fine but the rest of her advice was rubbish, suggested infacol (doing that and its making diddley squat difference) and suggested I got more sleep did she not think I would if I could?? looked at colief and the expressing bit (and the price) put me off but will give it a go next week if nothing improves - also we can try gripewater from 4 weeks

Loucee - Re CS scar - I've been a bit cringy about clothing rubbing my scar. I've made sure I've protected it a bit when I wear jeans or other low rise waisted things by wearing my bump band and tucking it into the waist of my jeans.

Hi all - sounds like we're having the same issues as so many others. Martha was awake for much of the night and I was going mad in the early hours - she wasn't even crying for a lot of the time, just awake. And feeding loads. She is 3 weeks 2 days so possibly a growth spurt? The idea of putting her on formula was a very attractive one in the middle of the night...

Anyway she was weighed today and is 9lb4oz - up from 8lbs half oz birth weight and 7lbs 3oz at her lowest so I am very pleased and feel all the horrible hard breast feeding has been worth it.

We usually feed between 20 and 45 mins, sometimes both breasts, sometimes just one, 8-10 times a day. Am trying to stretch it out to 3-hourly feeds, although as she can go 4-5 hours between feeds at night (not necessarily asleep...) I don't mind feeding more regularly in the day.

I have not really had a problem with my c/s scar and am wearing normal trousers (albeit a size up from my usual size), although am still wearing BIG pants to make sure my knickers don't rub on my scar. Am still bleeding ever so slightly - very irritating as can go for a few days with no blood and then suddenly get a little gush so can't give up the pads just yet!!!

Oh the joys of being a new mum...

On a TOTALLY different subject we are still hoping to move to Pakistan later this year and as everything has blown up there am getting a little stressed about this. But at least it distracts me from stressing about a baby that never sleeps!

hi ladies

thanks for sharing your scar notes!

BF - Fin takes about 15-20mins each side but like Suey i need to change his nappy and wind him mid way thru to keep him awake.

Thingamegig - glad your little one is on the mend, we had similar experience and totsally relate to what you'vr been through. the Consultant today has said he wants Fin to have 3 more days of antibiotics then we can come home so hopefully that will be sunday night.

it's been snowing here today, cant see that its settled but then again i've not been outside! Dd was really excited about the snow bless.

re the pumping, when i started pumping in hospital i didnt get much at all but if you keep doing it at same time of day it should increase. with Dd i found expressing one side whilst she fed from the other gave me a high yield!
bouncing - instead of expressing b4 a feed why not wait til the let down then take DS off and spray into a muslin or tissue? i know its a waste of milk but saves time and hassle.

sterilising - totally converted to cold water sterilising! with Dd had a microwave steam one which was fine for pump and odd Rbottle/ dummies etc but in hosp i was using cold water and its so handy and means everything is ready for when u need it.

Can I ask how you are finding the belly bump? Mine still looks like I'm about 6 mths PG I think! I'm guessing I don't have Suey's strong abs tho!!! plus this is # 2 and I'm 38....but it not like it's flab, I do actually still look PG!

Yes and could do without the lochia blood too but know that could take up to 6 wks to go - can't remember how long last time.

Loucee - i'm not needing to express atm, engorgement has passed.
Not had any spraying, but he does sometimes possets after a feed, but he's getting better.
Buzzy - I have a real jelly belly... can I have some lipo?

buzzybee - My baby is 5 days old and my bump has gone down alot. I still look about 3months pregnant though. Haven't got my old clothes out yet. Think I am happy with my maternity clothes for now so I don't get dissapointed if stuff doesn't fit. Was given clothes vouchers for christmas too so can go out and get some new stuff when I am ready. Hoping the sales will still be on!

Hello Another arrival from antenatal thread. Samuel was born on the 27th Dec vbac 8lb12. So he is a week old now. NOt managing to get online much now as being kept bus wih the non stop feeding, changing etc etc

Am b/fing - last couple of days he has been taking longer feeds at times for about 45-60 min, although mostly around the 20 min. He wasnt feeding for very long before, only 10 min and I was having to wind/change etc to wake him as he has jaundice. does appear to be clearing.

Have jelly belly here too. Also in +++++pain as stitches from epesiotonony not healing and now look like could be infected.

Congratulations Awen! Welcome to the world Samuel. I had episi with dd and it took a long time to heal so sympathies are with you on that one. Lots of salty baths (like you've got time!) helped...

Thanks for sharing that Buzzy, I'm really pleased its working for you and it requires a lot of dedication so well done you.. I'm still struggling with expressing full stop but going to give it another go soon

Claireyb, god yeah -that bit sounds hard, I would consider giving it on a (sterilised) teaspoon with just a squeeze of ebm, but there is a flaff factor there too..

Feeding time, hmm..yeah prob 20 mins one then 10 mins other on average, its all depends though and ds comfort sucks a lot so can be sat down upwards of an hour though hoping this will settle down soonish....

Caz10, well done for your public b/fing I feel better about getting the first one out of the way but still a bit jittery about doing it again. Ridiculous really, if we were in sweden it wouldn't matter a jot

Beatrix had her ultrasound scan today at the hospital. Mostly good news . They didn't pick up anything new and the reason for the amniotic fluid levels now seem likely to remain a mystery. However left kidney still slightly dilated so they want her to go back for another scan in 6 weeks.

The sonographer was really nice and even though he's not the paedeatrician and therefore can't give me clinical diagnoses he was still very reassuring and told me that in all likelihood she will be referred to a programme for annual screening to make sure it doesn't get any worse in future.

Lizzer any news from your scan?

Actually heel prick test today was much more traumatic

I have been having so much pain "down below" has anybody else got this? My DD is 6days old. It is so painfull, I have been in tears most times that I go to the loo and have to keep putting cotton wool soaked in cold water to stop the burning feeling after going for a wee.

I am hoping to talk to my MW about it when she comes, but anybody else got any tips in the mean time? It is agony and reallly struggling to cope with it.

Chloe - yes I'm still a bit sore as well, feel very bruised. Get some distilled witch hazel and put it on your pad, honestly your bits will thank you for it, it has a lovely cooling affect.

Daniel has gone a bit manic feeding wise, he feeds about 6 times a day, but each time feeding in 2 or 3 bursts! Last night was bad as there was a spell of an hour and half when he was feeding on and off. He feeds, decides he has had enough then 15 mins later he decides his hungry again! Could this be a growth spurt? I was told to expect one at about 10 days, and he is 8 days old today!

Off to the Metro Centre today, wish me luck with the public bfing!!

Chloe I'm still a bit sore but not "to tears" as you describe it. So would def talk to your MW about it.

Bouncing, baby Bea often cluster feeds in the evenings much like you describe although can be for up to 3 hours. Actually it works OK so long as she gets full up by midnight at the latest as then means she tends to go a bit longer in the night.

I admire those of you who are bf.
I decided not to, although now i do wish id gve it a go

Ethan has been unsettled for a couple of nights but last night he had his feed before bed at 9.15, he takes 4oz, slept until 1.30, fed again and then slept until 6.30. Had another feed and stayed awake for a while then sleep again by 7.30 until 11.
I feel so much better for having a proper sleep as the last few days i was lucky if i was getting 2/3 hours and i felt like crap.
My cs scar is fine, back in my normal clothes but do still have this horrible jelly belly.
I must get rid of it.

Dp is back to work on monday so its just me and 2 under 2's
I hope i can cope ok

I am at those of you in jeans.....still fat and in elaastic waisted skirts! Must eat less biscuits.

Evie is doing well and feeding well - although I am sore on my right breast and so have gone bacck to nipple shields for that side.

shamelessly copy and pasting my post from the AN thread as typing one-handed here...

Amelie Rose arrived last night at 9.34pm - the stretch and sweep must have worked on Weds as I had a really niggly night's sleep, then woke up and had a tiny leak of waters. DH took DD1 to school then we went along to thehospital at 9.30 - a few mild contractions, I kept walking around - must have read every healt and safety notice on the board, but I wa convinced gravity would help!

By the afternoon, contractions were frequent but bearable - I was still on the antenatal ward, they said I could go home if I wanted but by this time my waters were pretty "gushy" and I didn't want that on my car or carpet! Must have got through most of a pack of maternity pads during the day. DH went back home to pick up DD2 from school and take her to grandma - when he came back at 6 I needed the TENS machine - then things realy got going - at 8 I felt really rough and DH knew what I needed from last time as he pulled the curtains and grabbed a bowl! (Felt sorry for the woman in the bed opposite) - measured at 6 cm then v strong contractions and wheeled round to the labour ward - I wanted the gas and air NOW! - managed to clamber across to bed in labour room and knelt with hands over pillows/back rest at top, clinging on to gas aand air for dear life (bless DH for understanding that my frantic hand gesture meant "give me a mask I can't cope with this stupid mouthpiece")

She took a good few pushes to come out but the MW was brilliant at slowing things down - small tear where I tore last time which is good going considering she was 9lb 1oz! (last one was 7lb 9oz)

All in all 14 hours from start to finish, actual labour was about 6 - on a total high now, they let us come home so I got to sleep(not much as she was so snuffly) in my own bed, just popped back this morning for the paediatrician to check her over.

Good luck to those still waiting - see you soon on PN thread!

congratulations housemum!

those struggling with pain down below, try taking arnica pillules and putting some tea tree oil in your bath. really helped me last time round and this time think the tea tree is helping my cs scar heal well. the MW said doing pelvic floor exercises will help too as blood flow in the area will aid healing

fifisworld, we'll soon be comparing notes on being at home with 2 under 2!

i've got jelly belly as well but like buzzy (?) it is in baby bump shape! the MW said my uterus has gone back to normal size so i'm hoping the shape will return to normal soon? i've been pulling my tummy button in as per physio's advice to try and help but know i cant do any other exercises until i'm over 6wks post section and my tummy muscles are back together.

feeling better in myself the last few days, before that i had been very teary (due to tiredness and worry abouit DS).

so, anyone have a list of those still waiting for their babies?

BF amounts/times etc- DS feeds for between 5 and 15 mins. DD was an efficient feeder too and I remember worrying about it with her but I'm not this time. Think the forceful let down contributes too-they get more milk in a shorter time.
I usually offer one breast and keep putting him back on that one until he refuses to go back on (usually two or 3 times)then try the other if he still seems hungry. He'll rarely take a full feed from the second so I start on that one the next feed.
Am in awe of all of you who know how many feeds they take in a day, I haven't got a clue! I'm simply not thinking about it I suppose...he probably feeds every 2-3 hours in the day with a cluster feeding session in the late morning and every 3 or 4 hours at night with a cluster feeding session around 2-4am. It varies so much though at the moment so I can't really identify a pattern, just stick him on the boob whenever!

Insy, yes I am finding it hard, especially when I have nights like that. Its not so much the feeding though but all the rest. Have been at my parents since xmas as dh was back at work straight after and wanted help with dd so have been completely on my own at night (they've been helping in the day but don't feel it is reasonable to ask them to help at night too!), may ask dh to do some of the winding/soothing to sleep when we are back at home but then I feel guilty cos he has to get up to go to work... Maybe you could do as Suey suggested and express a feed for dh to give at night (and then you could use bits of it to mix with the colief too!)

How does DS1 sleep? DD still wakes up once usually but has a cold so has been waking twice or more and been difficult to resettle-has been really fun juggling both of them!

Fifi-It's good to hear that formula doesn't automatically equal a settled baby (didn't make any difference to dd either). Not great for you to have an unsettled one I realise but it might help some of us who want to bf stop reaching for the formula in the middle of the night if we remember that (has that come out ok? Don't mean it in a formula is bad way-my main reason for bf is so that I dont have to remember to take bottles etc out with me!)

RE weight loss etc, my tummy went straight away (really was all baby)but I still cant fit in normal trousers cos my hips and thighs are too big!

Have to go pick BIL up now so will catch up later

i am far too fat for my old clothes! Did try them on, but buttons a good couple of inches away. Really not concerned about it- i am not as ravenous as i was in late PG and i am losing about 1lb every couple of day now. 22lb to go to get back to pre PG weight. A little envious of those who are already there, though!

I've still got a bit of a tummy but it is slowly going. Doesn't help the amount of food I've eaten over Christmas. Am still just under a stone over what I was before pg.

Still stuffering from blocked ducts on one side. Have tried to bf them away but it is slow to work. Any tips from anyone? I think the latch is getting better as it isn't so sore on the nipple.

at all you who have 5 minute feeds. DS feeds for about an hour at a time or more if he wants both sides. He wakes at 4 and I sometimes don't get him down again at night until 6. This will be a nightmare when DH is back at work.

I've lost about a stone since just before ds was born, got about a stone and a half to lose to get to pre-pg weight, then want to lose another 2 stone to get to a healthy weight.
Plan is to join slimming world - i lost nearly 3 stone with them before i got married, and they have a program for bfers.
Want to get fit and healthy so can be an active mummy when ds hits toddlerhood.

Got a stone to go for Pre-pg, in my old fat clothes at the mo but happy to be out of Maternity clothes, hurrah (due to wearing the same few maternity pieces that fit during pg over and over again!)

DD has been a screamer today, prob turned into the real baby I've heard about. She won't settle when put down, then quickly escalates into wild screaming and turning red. I've not been able to wind her properly and think that may have something to with it, so might be getting the colic medicines talked about. Her tummy seemed swollen the other night too, we took her to the doctors to check as I think it's trapped wind again as she's got explosive liquid poos and massive farts, she tends to cry before going to the loo and seems so relieved afterwards.

Hoping everyone else is looking forward to a nice weekend (Get me - knowing what day of the week it is despite sleep deprivation!)

ambi snap re screaming, farting & pooing. It must be quite a common problem.