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

Oh well - the 'juggling' act failed. Kept losing the suction on my Avent ISIS pump..

Susie - I did hear that the charts in the Red Book are based on bottlefed babies, so BF babies are quite often under what the HVs think they should be - if she is gaining not losing, and seems healthy, stick with the BF but watch your diet - make sure you are eting plenty of vaiety, drinking plenty and getting some rest.

Amani - I had an ISIS pump last time and got in a right pickle trying to express one side while feeding from the other (as per Gina Ford which I tried for all of a couple of weeks!) Have a Tommee Tippee pump this time, but only used it once so far (Asda have them for £10 at the mo for their "baby week" promotion. They also have other cheap bits like highchairs, microwave sterilisers, next stage car seats by Britax/Graco so worth having a look)

Rockdoctor - I have no advice re expressing - i never seem to get a great quantity so don't know if I reach the hindmilk properly or not - I think you need to be really relaxed, not look at what's coming out, and just think "baby thoughts" perhaps look at pictures of your DD. I let Millie stay on one boob until she has come off herself. If after she rested and burped she is till hungry, I'll offer the other one but to be honest I think she's still not quite ready for 2 boobs yet!

rockdoctor - again there are plenty people on here more experienced than me, but i remember having this worry with ds - it's all coming flooding back oh the joys!

expressed milk when left to settle shd separate iirc, cos there shd be 'fat' milk and 'thin' milk in there. does yours do this?
you're right that greenish poo can mean they're not getting enough of the right balance. i can't remember all the ins and outs of expressing but worth asking more on here or checking on specialist websites?

or speaking to a bf counsellor - have any of you tried to find a bf group near you - mine is/was fab and i can't wait to get back there!

and second that about the graphs in the books - i got a bf one off my bf counsellor and there was a diff, it's small but there.
worth asking around for one.
i can photocopy mine but's a boy's one?

susie, I'd second what katy says. try and talk to a bf counsellor, the topping up wih formula thing is going to mess around with your milk supply. i wouldn't do it if in your position. how heavy was your lo when she was born? it doesn't sound like she's lost that much weight really...and all the charts that hvs use are based on formula fed babies anyway. breastfed babies put on weight at completely different rates! Keep at the bf, and best of luck...

right off to take dd to ballet now. non rest for the wicked!

I agree - the advice makes no sense to me. the only way to increase supply is to use more milk, no? unfortunately anxious DH is backing the HV. Tears before bedtime. In fact before lunch, dinner and tea here.

unfortunately dh's to tend to listen to what hvs/docs say regardless of questioning their bf knowledge.
make sure you speak to more knowledgeable (sp?) people and quote their knowledge & experience to dh, ie get him to read this thread!
stick to your beliefs on this one
dh will soon see that you are right!

susie, look at this page. caz is having sim probs to you with hv. see if you can get to a baby cafe or bf support group near you, and suggest your dh goes too. then he can hear sensible advice 1st hand and not be bamboozled by bullsh*t! best of luck!

thanks for suggestions. had the most horrible day with dh. he's usually so great but he just flipped out and started thinking of every worst case scenario [they're testing me / going to take her to hospital / my milk not good enough etc etc]. i think i've persuaded him to sod off to work tomorrow instead of hanging over me - as he was planning. trying to work out how to shift my aching scar to the bf support group tomorrow. haven't been out since the operation.

thanks for suggestions. had the most horrible day with dh. he's usually so great but he just flipped out and started thinking of every worst case scenario [they're testing me / going to take her to hospital / my milk not good enough etc etc]. i think i've persuaded him to sod off to work tomorrow instead of hanging over me - as he was planning. trying to work out how to shift my aching scar to the bf support group tomorrow. haven't been out since the operation.

thanks for suggestions. had the most horrible day with dh. he's usually so great but he just flipped out and started thinking of every worst case scenario [they're testing me / going to take her to hospital / my milk not good enough etc etc]. i think i've persuaded him to sod off to work tomorrow instead of hanging over me - as he was planning. trying to work out how to shift my aching scar to the bf support group tomorrow. haven't been out since the operation.

Hi Susie - how's things today? I hope you manage to get to your bf group. I went to one yesterday, and already it's made a huge difference. Didn't realise that a small change in the position could decrease the amount of pain when Patrick was latching on so much! And the mw at the babycafe diagnosed blocked ducts and told me to feed more on that side, change position etc etc and it's helped hugely already! And there was me thinking I knew what i was doing!!!

It sounds as tho your DH is panicking somewhat. I found when i had a major bf prob with dd and was told that i would have to give up or my boob would explode (yes really - by a consultant, ie an expert!!!) dh listened to what the "experts" said, and it wasn't until I found a consultant who really knew what he was talking about that I was able to pursuade him that the 1st "expert" didn't have the foggiest idea what he was talking about! How were the mws when you had Sabela? WOuld it be worth contacting them, explaining the problem, and asking if a bf sympathetic mw could come round and talk to you both?

this is a really good website with loads of info on bf. There was some really good advice on that other thread I linked to last night too.

Hope you get everything sorted out and have a much better day today. Keep at the bf, you're doing fine!

Susiemj - really sorry to hear about your difficulties. Being a new, first time mum I have no advice to offer but plenty of sympathy. Our DD has had bowel problems - she didn't have a bowel movement for 10 days after being born and we landed up at the GP on Monday, midwife on Wed am and then paediatric A&E on Wednesday pm with it. A lot of the discussion was around whether she was eating enough - i.e. if not eating enough, won't have bowel movement. It does make you feel incredibly guilty even though you know you're doing your best and trying to feed them as often as they ask/regularly. In my case, DD doesn't often ask to be fed so I have to wake her every 3 hours to feed. And the conclusion was that she is probably eating enough, it's just her bowels haven't worked on their own. But, similar to you, she looks fine to me and I think she's ok - seems happy, wees a lot, eats well when I feed her. I discussed trying to find different feeding positions with my HV (I only know one and wondered if she just didn't like that one?). She suggested calling the NCT breast feeding helpline - their number is 0870 444 8708 and it's open from 8am to 10pm. I haven't rung them yet myself but it might be worth a try if you wanted another "expert" to reassure your DH?

Haven't been on for a few days because we seem to have spent the week going from one medical appointment to another with the bowel issue. The paediatrician gave DD a suppository (sp?) on Wed which did the trick of making the bowels work. However, her bowels haven't worked on their own since then and today she is starting to get "windy" again - she passes the most awful wind, worse than anything DH can produce!, and it often makes her really uncomfortable. So I'm not sure whether it sorted everything out or just gave one-off relief.

Mrs Mc - re the travel cot: we bought the quinny travel system in the end and are using the pram part as a moses basket now and will use that as her bed when we are in SA. I thought it would be best to have something she is used to for sleeping , especially since all the travelling may be unsettling. It's working out quite well so far. Good luck with your LO - hope he/she turns up soon!

Anyway, must get some lunch before I need to wake DD again. Hope everyone has a good day and, probably more importantly!, a good night!

Hello BWmum and dotsie - thanks for your kind replies. It's still action stations here, although thankfully more relaxed than yesterday. With the agreement of the HV we're putting some changes into the routine she suggested - i.e. topping up with breastmilk or formula 6 times per day but only one oz. She puked all the formula when we gave her two oz. The midwife says I can express if it's part of a feed.

The bf group was good but Sabela isn't sucking properly and they couldn't get her to do it. she taking tiny sips rather than big gulps. Lots of practice tonight I think.

A nice MW is coming to weigh her tomorrow which will hopefully reassure us. I'm going to call the BF network on the phone tomorrow. I think I've had enough information for one day!

I'll keep you posted. I think it's going tobe another long night but at least there haven't been any tears yet today - at least not mine!

Hi Susie, how's things? glad you made it to the bf group. Must have been nice to get out if nothing else! I'm sure things will improve slowly but surely. As others on mn have said, all babies are different, and gain weight at different rates, so try not to worry too much. I'm sure Sabela will be absolutely fine! Glad you've had a better day today. Take each day as it comes. Babies change so quickly at this age, don't worry so much you forget to enjoy her. She's beautiful.

Susie - the weird thing about the expressing thing is that the more milk you produce, the more you make. Although the HV is right, in that you shouldn't express between feeds, especially when you're still establishing your milk supply. Expressing after every feed, on both sides, if you can face it will have 2 effects: 1) you won't need to use formula for top ups and 2) will increase the amount of milk you produce for the next feed.

I am regularly concerned about the speed at which HVs start pressing mums to use formula - nothing wrong with that decision per se, but its quite normal for BF babies to lose weight after the birth and the only diff between formula and breast milk is that one is 100% natural and tailored exactly for the baby and the other....isn't! But you do need to eat properly, and drink loads and loads, to help with supply...Try not to let your DH pressure you - apart from anything else, if Sabela is struggling a bit with the bf-ing, then the last thing you really want to do right now is introduce bottles too frequently.

Anyway, good luck hon...sending you huge supportive hugs!

Regarding the other stuff (sorry, can't remember who said what!)

• I found BBC Breakfast news fantastic for let-down! In fact, I found the more I thought about it (looking at picture, baby, thinking about baby etc) the less it happened, but the moment I 'switched off', it just kicked in on its own when expressing.
• I never mastered the simultaneous expressing/feeding thing, and in fact was always a bit suspicious of it as I preferred to be sure that DS had finished before expressing....too many things to think about at once
• I've said it before...but electric breast pumps are brilliant. Not sure about the little battery ones, as I've heard they're quite noisy, but the mains operated ones are really fantastic, and because they generate their own suction etc, and do all the work, all you have to do is hold them in place and relax....

OK, off to try and convince my bump it wants to put in an appearance. Had checkups/scans etc yesterday, all going well in there but no sign of any action yet...so curry for dinner and tonight and maybe a bit of since DS is staying at my parents until tomorrow afternoon....!

Hi everyone!

I have flashed through the thread, George is just waking up for a feed, so cant stay long. Breast feeding is the one thing that is going well for me hahaha, no there are lots, but i have yet to express! Have bought an electric pump, so will give it a go over next few days?! I tried a formula bottle last night to see if he would go longer than 1.5 hours at night, and he went 2.5! So not sure ill keep that up, will see over the next few nights. My friend is staying tonight and taking him in her room, so i might get 4 hours in one go! woo-hoo

Suise, sorry he isnt being good for hubbie, maybe its the smell etc, knows its not you? Not sure, but hope it works out.
The day goes by in a blur of boobs, bums and sick? same for anoyone else?

I sometimes dread the nights too....gets to about 11 o clock and he just dosnt want to sleep, and for a breast fed baby, he is sure windy!! Both ends...and takes ages..have tried Infacol, but that was when he started projectile vomitting, so stopped, and now have Colief, but not easy to give when breats feeding, unless expressed?

He is a little porker though, so know hes getting enough, nearly 9 lb now!
Hope everyone is ok, and will definately try to do more personal posts soon when i get into a swing of things at home xxx
(was in tears last night at 9 o clock when i hadnt eaten since lunch time and George wouldnt go down...)Hey..one big learning curve eh!
Love to everyone xx

Hi everyone!!

I get to upgrade!! Baby girl is here, still without her name.

DP's put a birth story www.mumsnet.com/Talk/1365/454470#9300631 and i've updated the antinatal thread with how I am.

Sorry I can't talk too long on here but I'm abit tired to make sense. Hopefully be back on soon (maybe with pictures)

LS Huge congrats! well done I've wished you congrats on the other thread too!

Finally named her.

Please welcome Aaliyah Robyn Miller

Aaliyah means - Sublime
Robin means - Bright Fame

Lovely name Lucky. Just read your other thread. I knew you'd feel like that. I did too. welcome to the world Aaliyah.

many congratulations Lucky!!
Will try and snatch a minute to look at other thread...Gorgeous name xx

My friend stayed last night and i got 6 hours sleep! woo-hoo...almost feel human today...
Anyone else keeping a log?? I have been for last couple of days,and at the time it dosnt seem like they are in any kind of pattern with his feeds, he is!! I think im actually getting there.... Also managed to express today..another milestone for me..and feeling much better about life today ( think thats the sleep though!)

Hope everyone is well and lots of vibes for sore nipples and boobs xxx

Read your story Lucky, hope all is well..my home birth didnt go as planned either, but its the end result eh!! Here safe and sound.
Hiuge congratulations and a speedy recovery xxx

Congratulations Luckysalem will go and read your story. Gorgeous name I am very biased though as that is the name we have chosen if our baby is a girl. Did you know that Aaliyah the singer was born on 16/1?! I thought it would be freaky if we had a baby girl that day as our EDD was 15/1 but we are still waiting!! Still think my baby is a boy though

Hey ladies, hope you are all doing well and enjoying your babies!! I am getting fed up of being on mat leave alone and am willing my Beanie to turn up soon - doing all I can, might even have to have curry tonight!

Hi folks - Susie - am really sorry to read how stressful things have been for you. Hope your DH is more on your side now and not adding to the pressures and hope you are feeling supported (by us if noone else)
Rockdoctor - sounds like you had a ruff time too - tell us about it next time, don't isolate yourself.
Fluffy - lovely to see you yesterday - dh now determined to buy secrets of baby whisperer and will dictate to me from that am sure. Using maternity mats as cover for changing table to save mucking towels for a bit!
Beller - you sound heroic doing it all by yourself - so glad your friend was able to give you a break. Cerys just wants to feed constatntly and go to sleep in my arms - the moment I put her down she wakes frantically rootling and nighttime feeds can take 3 hours. I get at least 3 hours either side of that so probably shouldn't complain but I am used to solid blocks of sleep so this is an eye opener in various ways!

Anyway - photo of Cerys posted on profile (hopefully - not the most technologically adept!)