January 08 - shiny new-year babies!

[Naetha]

Thought I'd start this thread now as I think there's already a couple of people to go on it, and I know there'll be an awful lot more!!

Will update when I get a chance

oo - naetha - meant to ask - what sling is that in photo - cuuuute!

Morning all. How's everyone doing? All's well here, although my milk's now come in big time, and I have a pair of footballs now! All I need now is for DS to wake up and feed...

SPeak of the devil...his master's voice calls...and I'm supposed to be getting up to say good bye to my parents too, they're off home in an hour or so!

Happy babies everyone!

Rockdoctor - I try and change Ben before a feed as that usually wakes him up, then it's a constant battle after the first 10 minutes to keep him awake. I usually do this by regular burps (or at least sitting him up), blowing on his neck, taking his sleepsuit off, and a couple of times putting a bit of cold water on his neck - he didn't seem to mind it, although it did wake him up! I know it sounds slightly cruel as well, (and sometimes counterproductive) but after DH changes him, he'll wind Ben up a little bit and get him over excited, so that when he actually comes to feed he's in a bit of a frenzy about it. As long as I can get him latched on without him poking himself in the eye / trying to pull my nipple off, it usually works a treat and he stays much more awake. You may find that after she's had that bottle, she'll generally feed a bit better. Ben was terrible at feeding, then one desperate night we gave him a bottle and he's come on in leaps and bounds since then - I think that it gave him enough energy to be interested in feeding again.

If you're worried your milk supply is on the low side, then it might be an idea to express a little after each feed anyway - this will stimulate your milk production. Although this can be a bit of a double edged sword, as I was expressing to reduce engorgement (boobs like rugby balls - rather painful!), but now my boobs produce even more milk now! He came off the latch yesterday, and my boob was like a tap left on - dripping like mad everywhere!

Mind if I'm a bit nosey and ask where your name comes from btw? I'm a geologist and into rock music, so figured we might have something in common either way .

Right, off to Sainsbury's - 1/3 off all nappies this week, and the cats' favourite food on half price! I'm such a sucker for special offers

Bah didn't realise there was a second page!

Susie - it's the Coorie sling from here. It's OK, but not quite as good as we'd hoped - he kind of gets swamped in it a bit. We've got a Mei Tai as well though, which is great

Dotsie - best of luck with your boobs - can be tender for a couple of days - might be worth getting a breast pump (if you haven't already) to relieve some of the engorgement - made a massive difference to me! Also, just wondered if you bf'd in front of your parents? I don't know if I could bring myself to do that - I'm still a bit of a prude!

Hi everyone - thanks for the advice

Naetha - yes, I'm a geologist and spent quite a few years working overseas before coming back home to the UK

Susie - glad you like the name, we wanted something that would work in Spanish and Portuguese to fit in with her heritage. We couldn't decide on the Spanish or English spelling but settled on the latter.

Hi naetha - bit of a late response! Am ok, although can I say how mich I HATE bf (feel awful for saying it - but it's the truth) and surprised with myself for carrying on with it still. Have this recurring pain in my left breast despite a course of antibiotics. Am going to speak to the HV about it next week.

Congrats Dotsie and rockdoc

Hi Susie!

Hi folks. Gosh dont know if I can do another thread. Im knackered today. Mum went home this afternoon. Can say Im pleased though she was starting to wear me down.
Ldies yes breast feeding can be very difficult at first but do try to stick with it if you can. Is any one co sleeping?
George Has scratched his little face to bits today. Have put a pair of his socks on as the scratch mitts just fall off. My three year old found this very funny
I have just posted my birth story on birth announcements thread.

Amani - have you tried hot compress before feed and a cold compress after a feed? This helped me when I developed a painful red lump in the early days of BF. Just an idea in case it's not been suggested.

Thanks susie - yes tried that too, but made little difference

gingeme - am co-sleeping with dd2, actually done it at the hospital when she was born and got told off by the mw! Find it so much easier to bf too...

Isnt it Amani . Do you put baby back in the moses basket after though or keep it in bed with you? I try to swaddle George and put him back in his basket but he yells. Mind you my milk came in today so maybe he knew this last night and had a feeding frenzy. He didnt have a pooh yesterday either so I think he probably had a bit of a tummy ache. Still hes sleeping soundly now after a half hour feed.
His big brothers are still fascinated by him. Its lovely

sorry Amani

sounds fab at your house at the moment gingeme

my mum's going home tomorrow floods permitting

all adorable here. tired but adorable

p.s. anyone know anything good for a gummy eye? book says sterile cotton wool. where do you get that. have been cleaning with cotton wool and water ???????? ok???????

Susiemj Sounds weird but a squirt of breast milk in the eye for a sticky eye can work wonders (all the antibodies). Have done this with both boys and it worked a treat!

Still here, no twinges although exceptionally tired. xx

oops thought this was still antenatal thread! hallo anyway! Sure we will be joining you soon xxx

Sorry you're having such a hard time BF Amani. It can be so frustrating, because everyone tells you how natural and wonderful it is, but forgets to mention that it can hurt like hell and bring you to the point of tears and desperation every feed, even if you are doing it all right. Out of curiosity, have you tried the savoy cabbage leaves in your bra? Apparently they work wonders for mastitis / infections / sore nipples. I'm a bit dubious - sounds like a suggestion from the knit-your-own-placenta brigade

My left nipple as turned into a collection of fissures with a load of dead skin on top (sorry for TMI ) so I gave in today and bought a pair of nipple shields, and the relief is instantaneous. Thankfully it didn't seem to impede the flow of milk at all, as it was still one suck, one swallow, and he fed for a good half hour. I think he found it a lot easier as well, as when the let-down happens, it's like someone's turned a fire hose on, and he finds it hard to actually latch on when he's got loads of milk pouring into his mouth anyway, and this way it just regulated it a little bit. I'm going to try not to rely on them, but if it's a case of BF or nipple shields, then nipple shields it will be

We're trying quite hard not to co-sleep as we want him to be able to settle in his own moses basket / cot without us, but the last couple of nights he's ended up sleeping on my chest, which has meant I've had about 3 hours sleep a night! Not sure quite what the best way around this is, other than making sure he has his daytime naps in his moses basket rather than our arms - tough when he's so cute you just want to hold him!!

Susie - how've you found your mum's visit? Was it as bad as you expected? My mum was meant to be coming up for a week originally, then it got reduced to 3 days, then one night, and now she's just coming up for a day. Although I'm not surprised, I am disappointed. I've been used to her letting me down all my life, it's just a shame she's now letting her grandson down as well. Still - me, DH, Ben and the cats is all the family we really need, and it's nice to have my Dad and DH's mum on the phone as well (both live far away). DH's Dad is about as useless/unreliable as my mum .

Rockdoctor - I kinda lied when I said I was a geologist!! My degree was in geology, and I worked in geoenvironmental engineering for a couple of years (contaminated land - ooh the fun!) but then I wussed out and now work in EIA and planning. I have to admit, it's much easier, as unfortunately much though I loved geology, I never was very good at it!! Still my rock collection is enormous, even if DH makes me keep it in the garden and a box in the attic

hi all! how's things going with everyone? we're doing fine here, although still got boobs like footballs! expressed loads in the bath last night, and was much more comfy until this eve. went with dh and older kids swimming, and was hoping that ds2 would wake up and have a nice long feed, but it was so hot in the sports centre that he just slept! tried walking him around, an even took him outside, but as soon as we came back in he fell asleep again! Woke up as soon as we got in the car, so sucked big sis's knuckle all the way home! bless! other than footballs like rock, bf going well, although had forgotten how much it could hurt when he latches on! ow!

Naetha...having 2 older kids is really helpful at times...dd sat and read him stories while ds1 and i played hunt the swimming kit earlier . oh and yes i bf in front of my parents, in laws, visitors... any one really! if they have a problem with that, it's their problem, not mine!!! btw, i think we're probably quite close geographically..i'm in halifax.

Gingeme...i'm co-sleeping too. I have ds on my side of the bed, so he doesn't sleep between us, and i make sure he has his own blanket, rather than the duvet. i get much more sleep with him in with me, rather than in his cot!

Susie...breastmilk for sticky eye works wonders, or you could try cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled salt water. that works too.

Hi all,

Thanks for tips on sticky eye - seems to be improving.

Amani - well done for hanging in there with the breastfeeding. I think i've got an easy feeder [latches well / no nipple confusion / hungry / minimal sore nips] and i find it hard at times. Sabela is a really slow feeder so sometimes she is tired before she is full. have been topping her up with formula [gaining courage to attempt breast pump] it takes about two hours at each feed for the whole process. now feel awful because looked up what i'm doing on here with formula and everyone seems dead against it. but i am beyond forcing a sleepy baby to suck after a blissful hour feed. it's just not worth it to me. i think

naetha - will type up the whole 'mum' thing later. it's just come to a stunning crescendo after a completely sleepless night for me. sum total of 'help' - 3 small lots of washing up in 5 days. we've cooked her breakfast, lunch and tea.

sorry you've got a crap mum too. TBH, i'd settle for the day trip!

baby has refused to settle anywhere except in arms and walking all night. have no clue why. she's been an angel until now.

knackered....

p.s. in the half-hour's sleep i did get, i dreamed that i caught mysel in the mirror, only to discover i'd miraculously regained my pre-birth figure and flat tummy.

lolololololololololololololololol

We've been having exactly the same with Ben - he slept like a dream for the first 5 nights or so, but since has been a lot more fretful at night, ending up only sleeping on my chest. I read a good article here about babies and sleep and put a couple of things into practice last night and had a much better night's sleep for it! Make sure your DH takes his turn in looking after Sabela so you can have a nap

Any reason why you haven't tried a breast pump yet? I'd be much more keen for you to persevere with a breast pump than formula at the moment as it will keep your milk supply up. I got a Tommee Tippee one from Tesco (think they're half price at the moment as well - got mine for a tenner) and found it very easy to express with (although like I said previously, once the let down happens it's like someone has opened the flood gates - I can squirt milk half way across the room if I'm not careful!). Also make sure you breastfeed/express at night, as apparently this is the time your body judges how much milk supply is needed in the first couple of months.

I think I've turned into a breastfeeding geek I've looked up so many websites and looked at so many pictures of babies latching on! In all honesty, I think the problem is with me, not him - I have huge boobs but quite small nipples, and that coupled with a silly let-down makes it really difficult for him to get a good latch. Nipple shields worked a treat last night, although I only used them for the first part of the feed (when the let down is strongest) then took it off after I'd burped him after 10 minutes, by which time he's chilled out a bit, the let-down has slowed, and because of the sucking action on the shields, my nipples look more normal, so he finds it much easier to latch.

I really want to persevere with BF though - a trip out to the shops yesterday just proved how convenient it was - he decided that he wanted another feed after an hour (rather than his usual 2 1/2 - 3 hour gap) and it meant I could just feed him sat in the car. Just whipped out a boob and plugged him on (even if the latch and positioning was terrible ). It would have been so much more difficult with a bottle.

Right - need to hoover the house today - health visitor coming tomorrow, and I don't want to get reported to social services for having a filthy house

Thanks Naetha -

Blimey! I just swaddled her in her favourite blanket and we have absolute peace! Funny how it's a different thing each time!

I do intend to express. I'll learn today. The real reason I haven't yet learned was that my mum was here. she's been a relentlessly negative presence since she arrived. everything sabela did was a prompt for the story of another 35-year -old grievance, sometimes against someone she met for only moments, but usually my dad. i didn't want to try anything new in this atmosphere.

she's stormed out without saying goodbye this morning because i spoke to her impatiently. i had just got the baby off to sleep in th front room when she came in and i asked her not to turn the light on. so she turned the light on in the kitchen whicjh is separated from th living room by a GLASS door!

i then took her upstairs and had just got hersettled when an alarm went off. i asked dh to find it and switch it off but he was showering so she came in panicking about finding it. i asked her to leave it - none too nicely - but she wouldn't etc etc... anyway - she's gone now.

finally alone with my baby after two weeks of hospital and visitors. i could cry with happiness!

interesting article - especially the eye contact thing. will try it.

well done for persisting naetha. i'll take inspiration from you and learn to express today - hopefully!

Hello everyone,

I was a "lurker" and sometime poster on the antenatal thread so thought I'd see what was happening now the LOs have arrived. SO glad to hear that most of you are experiencing the same problems as me!!

I am still persevering with breast feeding which seems to be getting better, although I have terrible problems with Hannah falling asleep. Have tried everything to keep her awake - rubbing her ear, blowing on her, rubbing her back, moving her up and down. Sometimes it works but most times she takes an hour to feed and is actually sucking for 15 minutes of that hour. It's really frustrating and I'm getting worried she isn't getting enough to eat - especially because she still hasn't pooed. She had one when she was a day old (which was meconium) and now nothing for just over a week. We went to the doctor today about it, on midwife recommendation, who said to give her another few days as she's generally well otherwise and gaining weight. But if we haven't had a messy nappy by Wednesday we have to go to the paediatrician. I really hope she does do one by then, not wild about having to take her up to the hospital etc.

My other worry, which I think is related to the lack of poo is that she sleeps, eats and is generally happy during the day but from late afternoon to about 11pm she has really bad wind which makes her scream. It's really upsetting to see her pulling her legs up and feeling so uncomfortable. We've tried everything we can to help her - patting her bum, burping her, giving her infacol before feeds - but not much seems to work. It also means she's really knackered by 11pm so doesn't want her late evening feed which knocks on into rather disturbed nights......
Not sure who mentioned they had expressed milk and their LO was able to take that quicker from a bottle and so was happier to feed - but I think I might try that. Will see about getting a breast pump.

Monster post, sorry - but good to find somewhere to get everything off my chest. And despite all my worrying and lack of sleep I still think she is the most beautiful, wonderful little thing I've ever seen

Hi all, how's things with everyone? everything fine here, although still got boobs like footballs! expressed loads in the bath again today,and it feels much better. Just need ds2 to wake up and feed. He's been asleep for hours!!!

BWMum well done for persevering. you're doing really well by the sounds of it. I hope everything works out for you...it does usually in the end! for yr dd's lack of poo, and discomfort, try very gently rubbing her tummy in circles...i seem to remember that worked when dd1 and ds1 were tiny and had similar probs.

Amani, good for you for keeping going with bf. sounds like you're having a hard time of it, but you're a star! how's things today? have you asked your mw or hv for details of a bf support group near you? I found advice, support and friendship from the support group I went to 10 yrs ago invaluable when i had problems with dd1. Am still in touch with some mums from there now, despite moving from Dorset to Yorkshire!

Susie, I find it easiest to express from one side while feeding on the other...it's a bit of a juggling act to start with, but once you've figured how to balance baby on your lap on one side, and fit a jug under the other boob, the let down reflex makes things easier. Good luck!

Naetha, tried the cabbage leaves last night...they did feel very soothing, although when i started leaking milk it then went everywhere!!!!

we need some more babies to be born to get this thread going! send 'push' vibes to the antenatal thread !

hi gals

I thought I'd come join you on the post-natal thread and see how you're all getting on

my little fella is almost two weeks old now, and we're starting to understand each other a little better now, so I may actually get a chance to be online every now and then!

we had a great birth at home - kicked off at 5am with what I think was broken waters, although it never really gushed so I was never completely sure that it was waters and not just lots of cervical fluid. We laboured throughout the day and pushed him out at about 9.15pm that evening in a birthpool. I feel utterly blessed that we had such a good time of it, and that we had such excellent midwives and that everything went so smoothly. We all feel extremely happy and fortunate.

Life since then has been challenging and bizarre. We managed to get our heads and bodies around breastfeeding fairly quickly, although there have definitely been challenges - not the least of which was realising the other night when he was being very fussy that he'd managed to drain an entire boob and needed the other one, so I was leaving him hungry - hence the whinging. Sometimes I wish breasts came with an instruction manual, or at the very least, a gauge to tell you what's going on in there.

We've hardly left the house in the past two weeks and get not much done every day, but thankfully that doesn't matter too much. We're having a good day today as I've managed to do the online grocery shop AND have breakfast before 11.30am. Now I'm just contemplating whether to go do the dishes and take down the Christmas tree, or whether to squeeze in a wee nap whilst he's sleeping... I think I'm leaning towards the latter. Sleep is so precious these days!

Anyways - it's great to see you here and to hear how everything is going. Talk more soon!

Congratulations Sabinar! Sounds like you had a lovely experience! Well done!