June 08 babies - I know there's a few of us about!

[isaidno]

Thought I'd start a thread inbetween breastfeeding, laundry and bossing DH about tyo do stuff!

Let's make a list of members!

ISAIDNO - baby girl; Poppy Elizabeth; born 18 / 6/ 08; 6lb 4oz

at your 100 mls in 60 seconds Essie...

S has been sucking on his dummy quite happily. Although he also happened to be in DH or I's arms at the same time . Have been considering drastic action and started reading some Gina Ford stuff! Partly because I'm convinced that S is sleeping too much in the day, and if he can sleep in my arms in the evening I'm wondering if he really does have colic . Am sure some of you doing Gina Ford type routines - how's that working for you?

Hedgehog ebm lasts for about four hours at room temperature... so as long as I only warm it to room temp in the first place I do give it to my LOs up to next feed (three hours) - don't put it back in the fridge just keep it at roon temp.

Dramaqueen I do Gina Ford but have realised there is little hope trying to keep my DTs awake. I wake them for feeds and put them down for sleeps in the morn and lunch but if they fall asleep in their recliners at other times I let them sleep. Theo is sleeping through (and Esther slept 11-5 last night even with her hernia ) so I think it is more the feeds than the awake times that are important. Margaret thatcher only needed four hours sleep a night - I need nine. Babies must need diff amounts too! So it is not right to say all babies can do Gina's day routine. Or that they need to to sleep throught he night.

My DTs used to be unsettled in the evenings and I think it was hunger but if your LOs are on mixed feeds hunger may not be the cause...? Why are you not BFing? To increase your supply I would express your breasts fully and then let the babies suck for a while (but I am sure you have a good reason why you are not BFing).

Thanks Neenz. I dont think I have the willpower for full Gina Ford, but think the feeding times/nap times make a bit more sense. S also seems to be starting a routine of only falling asleep in our arms so want to stop that habit forming! Found it impossible to keep S awake after his feed this morning, but did put him down in the bedroom for nap and will wake him shortly for another feed.

Re: BF, S and I had loads of problems with it and he just wouldn't take to it at all. His immediate post-birth experience was quite distressing and he had days and nights of being very distressed whenever BF was approached. So went down mixed feeding approach with formula and EBM after much angst. Keep telling myself that I was FF and I'm super smart and allergy free .

That's great that Esther slept for so long last night!

DQ Have you tried him on the breast again since? Not saying you should but now he is a bit older he might take to it. Don't put yourself under pressure - you are doing a grand job.

Morning !1
Looking forward to today as going shopping!!!Trying to find clothes that will fit me!
which over here is impossible its all skinny jeans etc which is fab if you can get into them and the spanish women do try even if they cant but im not willing to try that route!! Cant wait til we go back at xmas aand i can shop in proper shops

Neenz - can i ask you are question? Fleur is really settled in evenings but still wakes at am for a feed im not sure she really needs it. How much do you feed the dts during the day and how often?
Just wondering if it is just a comfort thing cause she dosnt really take much

And q for anyone really Do you think sleeping through night and weight are combined my HV says yes but MW says no

Fleur is 2months old todday!! Its amazing how time flies

Neenz and DQ - just to hijack your conversation! There was a thread on the bf board with someone who had not breastfed but started a bit later. Just in case! And DQ I wouldn't normally manage 100ml at breakneck speed, but I have to feed/express regularly or I become a strange Roman fountain with squirty breasts!

Neenz I think you asked - my nappies are Modern Baby ones, but the old style. Pretty good I reckon, but I'm going to have to rethink when he grows out of them, and either get the new style, or a different brand. Annoying, because the new style are birth to potty, and the old style came in different sizes. I might try to sell the small size ones but grr at the spending mistake!
Anyhow, at the moment he's in pampers because I've run out of wraps and it's very bad weather...

Delay there - had a tumble dryer error. Gulp.

Paro DH is convinced that sleeping through is connected to weight. He could just be making excuses for miniature Iestyn - now 8.1 which is smaller than most newborns!! - but his argument is that Iestyn's stomach is smaller so he needs to feed less but more often.
However, Neenz could put paid to that argument - twins are always smaller, and her Esther was small at birth but looks like she's nearly sleeping through... for you Neenz!

Paro - I'm not a believer that weight and sleeping through the night are directly related. I'm sure that as babies get bigger they can go longer between feeds, but the length they can go must vary between individuals. My DS1 physically couldn't go through the night without eating until he was one year - we tried shortening his feeds etc. and he'd happily go back to sleep but then would wake a few hours later ravenous. But DS1 isn't the norm - most babies can sleep through by 6 months.

essie DH has clipped Fraser's fingers (for the second time) while cutting his nails too. They're so teeny, it's very easy to do!

DS1 and I have the yuckiest head colds - I feel like I'm exploding with snot. Because I'm sick I'm not dieting either - and it's very depressing how quickly I've gained back the few pounds I've lost. Sigh...

Oh and very of essie! It takes me about 30 minutes to pump 60 mL!

I must stress, only when engorged, everyone; only when engorged!

Aberdeen when do you pump? It takes me about 2 mins per ounce (I can get 5oz in 10mins) but only before feeds ie when boobs are full. I always express before feeds. It takes a while to work out how much you can express without affecting how much is left for your baby. I do 4oz first thing, 3-4oz before 10am feed, 2oz before 1pm feed, then 2oz before 10pm feed. I did too much (3oz) before 10pm feed last night but Theo then needed 1.5oz top-up cos my boobs were empty!

Paro you could try giving her a dummy in the middle of the night instead of a feed. If she is not taking much then she may be comfort feeding or just doing it out of habit. If she usually feeds for 5mins, hold the dummy in for 5mins instead and then see if she'll go back down. If she cries then it may have been hunger after all. I think I also read you could give cooled boiled water instead to try to cut out night feed, but 2months is still quite young to sleep through. If it was me I would just continue to feed her in the night and maybe revisit it in four weeks if she is still not sleeping through. She will prob drop that night feed on her own.

I don't know if weight has anything to do with sleeping through. Before Esther got her hernia she was sleeping longer than Theo at night (six hour stretch whereas he would only go three hours, and she is 2.5lbs smaller than him). I think it depends whether you have a hungry baby - a bigger baby is prob hungrier (that's why he is bigger) and so may want more feeds. That's what I put Theo's reluctance to sleep through his middle-of-the-night feed down to anyway!

Essie, my fabulous squirting boobs managed to spray milk right up Jamie's nose today after he had pulled off in disjust at the force of the spray. As dh said, its a bit of an extreme way of getting the milk down him!

How can 5 oz be 'just enough'? 5 oz is great surely? HV can be such arses. I was looking back at dd's red book and she managed 3 oz between week 4-5, and has still managed to grow up to be a 4 year old. She also crawled, walked and talked super early so was obviously doing the right thing for her. Percentiles - grrrrrrrr, they should be banned.

Hello all, been a bit manic to post but have been reading. Always good to hear what everyone else and their LO's are up to.
Isla is 4 weeks today and the tiredness has set in Crap, its hard going!
Has anyone any advice re babies not wanting to go back to sleep after night feeds.
2 hours twice last night.
Do you think it has anything to do with daytime sleep? Like DQ said earlier on, you cant really stop them sleeping in the day.
Any tips welcome!

Hi all
No time to catch up as we have visitors, but I have a question for the baby veterans...

Storm had her first jabs yesterday and is sleeping loads today and grumpy when awake. Should I just let her sleep? She's not feeding much and it's worrying me a bit. She's got a very slight temperature - not enough to concern, but I want her to get her fluids...

Normally I'd wake her for feeds but I feel like she's recovering and maybe needs the extra naps.
What do you guys think?

Hi there

Re finger nails, DH always cut DS's finger nails, but I decided to do Dorothy's. I managed one nail before managing to slice the top off her finger and covering the bathroom in blood - like you, Essie, I was devastated but it's healing nicely, but I covered it up when I took her to the doctor yesterday

Re weight and sleep, Gina suggests that most babies can sleep through the night once they reach 11 pounds / 5 Kg. It was certainly true in his case, but like others, I think it's got more to do with stomach capacity and how much they take in the days. When Dorothy doesn't take very much, she wakes at 2.30 - and when she pigs herself, she sleeps longer.

I am doing Gina very lite, trying to get the night-time routine, and naps right, but splitting all the feeds (as D is sick if she eats too much at once). She (fingers very crossed) has not been sick since Sunday, but am sure I've jinxed it now, by telling you all.

Amber, I hope everything is OK. I think the Edinburgh test questionnaire thing is a fairly blunt instrument, but it is good that they are looking out for you.

green fairy. not sure re jabs. sorry.

AliP - I've emailed you!

Differing HV advice again! Mine said no water if excl breastfeeding and she knows Ryder has a bottle of EBM each day so reason is not fear of nipple confusion.

Essie - I did exactly the same to Ryder when cutting his fingernails and he was equally unfazed. My crying bothered him more than my cutting him!

Ryder was very noisy last night, he woke up and made the usual pre crying noises so I got ready to feed him and .... nothing. He goes back to sleep! I was so awake by this stage I got up and expressed, but that is not usual behaviour for me, sleep is more important. I was over the moon at expressing approx 170ml (6oz) in 20 mins, it's more than I've ever managed before, so at Essie and Neenz. My pride also disappeared when I feed R with it as he usually likes 100-150ml and this time wanted 200ml, which was all I had with me! (I thought I'd taken enough for two mini feeds whilst out).

Sybil - LOL at milk up nose!

Neenz - I hadn't considered expressing before a feed. That could be so much more convenient as we don't have a routine so always worried he'll wake up and want a feed just after I've expressed and am empty.

Paro - Ryder has pretty much only needed one am feed since we've been home (until this week), and he was 9lb at birth, so there could be a link? Maybe length of feeds is relevant linked, Ryder takes 45-60mins for a full feed (and did 75mins today). Therefore he's pretty full before we go to bed. I guess bigger babies have bigger tummies that can hold more milk to keep them going...

Have put Ryder by the washing machine to stop him crying, but new house = new washing machine and I think it's too quiet to act as white noise. Bloody new technology!

Afternoon all! So on the day I try Gina-ish feeding/nap pattern, what does my DS do? Sleep all day!!!! I get the feeling I may suffer tonight... We have really tried to wake him but to no avail. Starting bathtime soon so he will no doubt be awake and alert after that despite low lights, skin to skin, soothing music. Groan.

Neenz I have thought about trying to bf again and gone through a bit of anguish and I dont think I will (which makes me feel like a bad mother, but that's a whole other thread ). My early experiences were so distressing I think I'd be crushed if we 'failed' at bf again. That said, I'd be quite interested to read the thread that Essie mentioned. I had a quick look earlier but couldn't find it - Essie if you have a mo would you link to it for me?

Fungle S isn't often too bad post middle of the night feed, but all the advice I've read has been - keep night time feed very quiet with no chat, dont change nappy if its only wet, maybe dummy to help settle?

Right, need to go get organised for bathtime - wish me luck!

Very of all of you attempting to cut fingernails. I am too scared to slice Isaacs fingers/toes, and was advised by MW in hospital to pick at them while he was feeding if they got too long. She also said I could bite them for him which I haven't tried.

I haven't attempted any type of routine (Gina or otherwise) and Isaac ( who was 5 weeks yesterday) either sleeps from 9pmish til 2am, then 2am til 5.30/6ish OR 10.30pm til 4.30/5ish. He also sleeps during the day from 11amish til 1.30, then for most of the afternoon, til DH gets home from work around 5.30/6pmish and then will be awake and cluster feeding until around 9 or 10ish which we are quite happy with.

DH has taken him to the pub again this afternoon so I can get some sleep, although am slightly worried that they are not back yet, although does give me a chance to catch up on some of my sewing (curtains for the nursery, cot sheets etc).

On the slummy mummy front I have a new benchmark - I almost went out this am with Baby Sick/Milk ( i too have the incredible leaking boobs while feeding/and after) and wee on my jeans as my delightful son managed to kick the muslin that we use to protect ourselves when changing him off while I was reaching for the sudocrem

PP Have you tried the vacumn cleaner to soothe Ryder? I vacumned yesterday before my CPN came and Isaac went straight off - must write to Mr Dyson to thank him

Right signing off now to call my husband and ask him if he is intending to bring my son home or planning on turning him into a lager lout

Jamie also loves the dyson, puts him to sleep every time!

TGF - I would say let her sleep as waking may distress her which won't help with a raised temperature. I would also be careful about cross infecting as her immune system will be lower, DD have similar symptoms after her first jabs and then we saw a friend who had a slightly off colour toddler and she ended up with a sickness bug for 10 days. Which was hell. Obviously you can't prevent it totally, but I will definitely be wary about Jamie's jabs this time around.

I've been absent for a couple of days as my mum was over. Having her here has been fantastic - both for company and for help with A!

Thanks dramaqueen and allipalli for your experiences with infection. Hopefully when I get the results tomorrow they'll be fine. That's interesting that you waited and the infection had gone. I think too often antibiotics are prescribed, and I personally hate them as I always get thrush. Good to know tho that your BM was unaffected.

Can't believe I've just got my period. What's that all about, over 3 weeks bleeding after birth, few days off and then I get a period, even though I'm BF .

fungle sympathies re. difficulty getting lo to sleep after night feeds. I've gone through this as well with A. He's getting better with it, but can't see anything in particular that has caused the improvement sorry. I do try to do the night feeds lying down which helps him fall asleep but then do have to co-sleep for the rest of the night, as a move to his basket will wake him and that cycle could go on for hours

sponge and HH loo re. your poo/wee incidents!

Ok, so bathtime went well. S still not sure of the bath, screamed a bit afterwards, but was able to settle and feed by 7pm. Put down in moses basket, sleepy but still awake and he lasted, ooooh, 5 minutes before screaming the place down. Have been in to see him and reassure him at least 3 or 4 times, but currently resisting picking him up. He wont even take the dummy I tormented myself over. If we pick him up, DH or I will be rocking, cuddling etc till 11pm/midnight.

Am in complete torment. But DH being very good in discouraging me from picking him up.

Hope you all having a much quieter night!

sybil thanks for the advice. we've got an appointment at the walk in centre at half 8 as she's been drooling all day and they think she might have a throat infection. i've had a sore nipple and they think the two could be linked.
will let you know how it goes.
i did leave her to sleep in the end but she's now v unsettled. ho hum

Thanks for input on nightime settling guys
Well, after a super hard day, Isla feeding every hour, but only for 5 - 10 mins, I decided at 5pm, formula was going to have to make an appearance. We had just been to the playpark and DD1 had just fallen of the climbing frame, big graze. She wanted dinner, Isla wanted yet more milk, I just didnt have any, I wanted to hide away and have a glass of wine!
So, she had 4oz at 5pm, then another 4oz at 7.30pm, popped her in the cot awake at 7.45, she's been asleep ever since. I expressed at 8pm, so thats 5 hours worth of milk, and only got 3oz. Thinking maybe thats why shes been so fractious. Hunger.
We'll see how the night goes anyhow.

It took 1hr 50 minutes, lots of screaming, even more tears (mine) but he eventually fell asleep in moses basket and has been asleep for 25 mins. Phew. Here's hoping the full night shift goes ok!

Hedgehog has that son of yours returned from the pub yet? The problems with youths and alcohol just keep getting worse

Paro - did you find jeans? I had to buy some 2 sizes bigger than pre-preg size. Heartbreaking.