July 2008 - Now our babies are arriving let's have a thread to talk about them...

[minipinkscottish]

Hi ladies
I know there are many of us still to pop but thought it would be nice to start a thread that we can come to once the LO's are here

Abbie is 4 weeks and 3 days old today and my due date isn't here yet

Abbie is doing great - eating and sleeping and very content. The feeding was hard going at first as it is very frequent with her being early but I think you actually get used to being tired

Someone (sorry can't remember who) was talking about bottle and bf together and nipple confusion. Well all the times I have bf I have done so exclusively even when it was very difficult - I am stubborn As Abbie was early and lost a good bit of weight the mw advised topping her up with ebm through a syringe. This was tough as I was bf then trying to express only to bf 1 hour later - so I gave her formula to top up. Giving her the milk in a syringe became difficult as they tended to spurt the milk too quickly at times. So I gave her a bottle to top up( Tommee Tippee - closer to nature) and it was great!!

I bf her all day and then top up after bf at night to get a bit longer sleep - it's working - she is putting on weight and no nipple confusion

sorry for huge post - hope you will all come over and join me!!!!!

umlellala, arghhh im hackney here, well i use to live there, went school there, muhaha...krazie kids, with fire in their belly! im defo one of them...

question guys im 5 and half weeks postnatal, and my bleeding was coming to an end, and lastnight i had a clot the size of a pund coin and bright red blood in my pad, is this normal?

We bought superkingsize Ikea bed especially . Was sleeping on a mattress though for two weeks before due date, due to mistake with delivery and selling our old one

But the bed is fab - dd (2.3) sometimes sleeps horizontally , usually with both arms out touching me and dh, can have ds next to me and we are ALL comfy . But we will be encouraging dd back to her bed in next week or so - and maybe ds in Amby cot...??

I hate bibs too - I tend to just let them dribble over the clothes... Have seen babies in bandannas rather than bibs - funky [[http://www.babykind.co.uk/bibs.htm#bandanabib (don't look at the price). Dd is still dribbly now!

Where do you live now, mummy2b? And where did you go to school?

I had the clot things a couple of weeks ago - shocked me but hv said was fine.

i went to skinners!!!! lol too much information.

moved outside london now...

elodie is well dribbly these days too!
i just keep wiping with a muslin . .

she wasn't too bad after her shots yesterday. bit fussy - refused to let dh settle her at 7pm - had to use sling for a little while but then slept until midnight - dh fed her and settled her quickly then she slept til 4.30.

i tried a new tactic - not trying to hard to settle her. i mean, it was 5 in the morning, we were both tired and normally i would shushpat her for ages. but i held her for a bit, swaddled, then put her straight into her cot. she snuffled and grunted for ages then eventually fell asleep. i put my earplugs in and rolled over to the other side of the bed to get away from the woodland creature noises.

she woke at 7 and i brought her into bed where we both slept until i woke up at 9.15!!

must try and get out of these oversleeping habits. totally mucks up her feeds and nap times for the rest of the day (and we missed baby cinema!) but its sooooo nice!

mummy2b - i had a nasty clot-like lumpy thing only 2 weeks ago (gave birth on the 3rd june). totally grossed me out.

Tjuice, enjoy the 'oversleeping'. When I just had dd we would often not be out of bed til 10. Meant we missed lots of groups but was lovely for me! Make the most of it before they decide they are up for the day at 5.30am...

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long!! Finding it a bit difficult to escape to the PC at the moment. Phoebe is 3 1/2 weeks old now, but am have a nightmare with feeding. She took days to establish feeding and now my nipples are so cracked and bleeding it's a constant battle! Have hired a pump from hospital (which has to go back at weekend) and have been expressing virtually every feed and topping up with formula at night when she is screaming hungry! I want to buy an electric pump but just don't know which one is best, hospital 'industrial sized' pump is fab!! Have been slapping on the Lansinoh, and also Kamillosan which appears to be helping. Trouble is I just don't think I am producing enough milk to satisfy her when I express. Only seem to be able to get about 50-60ml per go. So am literally expressing all day in between feeds!! Can't really go anywhere as everytime I think I have built up a stock she gobbles it all up! So never seem to have enough in storage! Am feeling so low and depressed but am so determined that she will be breastfed and it's exhausting, but don't want to have got this far to give up now!! Any advice on pumps would be appreciated, I have a manual one but it is USELESS!! Promise once this is all sorted I will catch up best I can on everyone's news, just struggling to cope with prety much everything at the moment and feed quite crap about the whole feeding situation. She is putting on weight, so I must be doing something right, but I don't think DH and I have spoken a civil word to each other in over a week! Any advice at all would be fantastic, I just don't know what else I can do. Have ordered nipple sheilds, on advice on health visitor, so will give that a go. Have also had to give her a dummy at times to calm her as she is a very sucky baby, (really didn't want to and resulted in massive argument with DH) but as I am not feeding her she can't comfort suck on a boob for an hour and fall asleep like she wants. So she drains her feed in seconds then isn't hungry just wants to suck on something!!! It is a total nightmare! Sorry to drag everyone down, but as I pretty much last of 'July' babies, Phoebe was born August 9th, you guys will have the benefit of a couple more weeks (or years)experience!!!!!

bebe Don't get so down, NOTHING about having a new born is easy, and don't fret about giving a dummy, it's OK really!!!!
BF is hard, I don't think anyone ever warns you about how hard and painful it can be, are there any BF clinics near you? It might be a good idea to get someone to check your latch and you can talk to other mummies about it, I promise you your being completely normal!

As for Breast Pumps, I used the Medela Electric and it was FAB, I think SK and Pigley have the same one, if your not grossed out by the idea you can have mine if you pay the postage, (Save me the trouble of putting it on E-Bay!!)

Just remeind yourself that you are doing a fab job and you've got this far, and if you need to stop BF then you are not a bad mother, you do whatever is best for you and your baby, when I had DS1 I felt really guilty about giving up after only 10 days, but when he went onto formula we both got on so better and bonded alot more as I wasn't stressed and tired the whole time, and in return, neither was he!

Each baby is different, and there are a few people on here that can probably give you better advice re BF (e.g ISAIDNO) But just wanted to say, keep your chin up and try to enjoy these early days, (as est you can) They are over so quickly and you don't get 'em back

Despite my not entirely positive experience I would definitely recommend going to a breastfeeding clinic/seeing a breastfeeding counsellor Bebe. I think it's like when they say '65% of women are wearing the wrong size bra' and you think 'duh, don't they realise' and then you go and get measured and you're one of them - IMO breastfeeding is a bit like that, it's not easy or obvious for either mother or baby and I think a lot of mums and babies aren't managing it as well as they could be, whether that's technique or whatever.

Weaning, I weaned DS at around 17 weeks but then he was (and still is) a big lad (91st percentile all the way). I am interested in BLW but only if it doesn't mean them waking up at night again...

The Popsicle slept through last night but only after a good 4.5hrs of grumbling, fussing, howling and squirming, booo!

Embarrassing confession alert... plucked up the courage to look 'down there' last night, somewhat predictably can't see anything to do with the stitches, but.... I have kind of a razor-like rash where my legs meet my bum that's quite prickly and tender. I can only assume it's due to a) not being able to shower as often as I'd like and b) being overweight, both resulting in the area being a bit sweaty and chafing. Euwww. Sorry ... don't suppose anyone else has experienced this??

bebe, poor you! DEF get yourself to a breastfeeding support and CHECK YOUR LATCH. Honestly, I am no expert but have had much less painful exp this time from checking latch again and again. good site, click on info about nhs leaflet has good pics. I also believe that it's best to feed feed feed - I think it takes you by surprise how much they need to suck but trust you are feeding enough (I have hardly felt millk coming in at all but ds is gaining).

I have some unused in packet nipple shields if you want them - can send them free if you want them.

hi all just a quick one

bebe - you are doing great honey you will be making enough milk for her, don't fret about using a dummy DD2 was like this would have sucked on my boobs all day if she could she was so sucky, she had a dummy from about 2 weeks to 4-5 months it was a godsend.

pumps - agree with Jodie Medula mini is great, it's about £60 in Boots so snap hers up 50-60mls in one go is fine, remember babies are much better at getting the milk out than any pump so each feed she's probably getting more than that

crying - newborns cry at night all of mine did evenings can be a nightmare, maybe colic maybe just fussing, it's entirely normal and not due to them being hungry and you not having enough milk

time on boob - what I would do and I don't know if this is the best advice is feed for no more than 20 mins I think after that it's comfort give her dummy, express either from the other side as she is feeding or just after a feed, I never express for more than 10 mins at a time. Feed her every 2 hours at first to up your supply.

Agree try and find a BF support group or a counsellor to check your latch

Post on BF topic asking for Tiktoks advice honestly the woman is a breastfeeding Goddess.

Hope that helps a bit poor you really feel for you but it does get better

min912 - have you been using Always or similar pads? I had this rash it's a very common sweat rash or Jock Itch apparently the Always don't allow the skin to breathe properly and it gets too sweaty hence the rash, I've found a bit of Sudocreme works wonder and allowing air to get to it (think PJ shorts).

Right better go chaos in here as usual

ps should add, bebe, don't be down onyourself for using a dummy. Both my babies are/were very sucky. Dd took a dummy from about 3 days and IMO it made us both happier . She still has it but only for sleeps. I loved never having to hear her cry before going to sleep (hate hearing friend's little girl's tired wail... i know she is just tired but...)

Ds WON'T take a dummy and I have tried. And keep trying. Dummies are a godsend IME/O.

Agree with the evening madness - youjust have to ride it out I think. And keep feeding. Dd would have cluster feeding/evening madness and she was on formula!!

mummy2bsoon- yep same clot here too.. bit gross

Tjuice- I too love those snuggles in bed We often lay in till 9/9.30 if we have no rush to go out.

Bebe- Sorry you are having a rough time
I too felt so bad when struggling to feed her in the hospital... one night i remeber her screaming cause she was so hungry and me in floods as i was having trouble latching her on. Thankfully a midwife saved me ( mainly cause Abigail was waking everyone and thier babies up )
Agree with the others about getting some help and that if you need to move to bottles then do..Your being a good mummy by doing whats best for your baby.
Jodie is right... i do have the medula pump and find it great.

Had my 6 week check today - complete waste of time (appointment was 9.30 so missed my snuggles in bed!) all for a 10 minute chat.
Just asked if everything was going ok, took my BP and gave me a leaflet about contraception. But then added a rather odd comment... Well if you arent planning to go back to work then you might as well forget the contraception and have another one straight away!
Wasnt quite sure what to make of that.

Another parcel came today (number 4) from my aunty, full of clothes for Abigail! Dont think ill ever need to buy her clothes at this rate.

I can't remember who it was now, but who was studying Early Childhood when they were pregnant? Question for you - What career can you go into with that qualification?

I am thinking of going back to studying, maybe next year, as one thing I regret is not getting a degree, but not sure what to do. I LOVE the idea of working with and around children, (would love Midwifery, but all that blood ) maybe education, or even a Health Visitor????

In a bit of a hurry but have to say Bebe, do not despair. I was exactly like this with dd1, and was s ready to give up bfeeding - would have done so, without DH's support. An NCT bfeeding counsellor saved me - I was latching her on wrong (as you might expect). Please try to get someone to have a look at your latch, and keep slapping the lasinoh/Kamillosan on. I did get there in the end and remember sitting breastfeeding out at a picnic with my sister and her family when dd1 was about 3 months old thinking that yes, this was why I went through all that pain. Hang in there, sweetie.
Must go, orlaith crying and I need to feed her (same blardy duct has blocked up again - no blood blister this time, as I saw it coming but still grrr and teeth-gritting time when feeding).

Thanks for advice, was thinking about the pump suggested and have £50 boots voucher so think I will use that!! Don't think her latch is the big problem, as once she is on it doesn't hurt at all, but she goes on and off ALOT at the begining of each feed and my nipples are fairly flat so she has to work extra hard to pull them out, hence the toe curling pain!!! Have got a BF support group locally that meets on a Monday morning, just tricky to organise myself to get there in time at moment but will make effort next week!!! Got to go as she is screaming for a feed!

umlella- do u knw skinners then?

bebe, i hope thigns get better, i foudn it difficult in the beginning... also, one thing that helped bf wen nipples hurt was i change positions, cnt do rubgy ne more as she to tall, but the councellor showed me a method, where her bum sits between my cross legs, that helped...

alsop nipple shield, my baby didnt feed well from them, so i took them off...
breast shells are GOOD to use to help heal nipple, and lets ait get to them

regardin g pads, kotex pads are the best, and are cotton, and dnt irrate you...

oh yeh

leah slept 4 hours daytime nap...

question

do ne of ur babies cry alot in ther sleep?

SK you are a lifesaver!! (but you knew that already, right?) I have indeed been using Always, bleeding has almost stopped but is quite light so until last week was using night-time ones (as i had a pack already) and not changing that often. Good to know it's not (just) because I'm a lard-arse!!

Will now switch to 'everyday' liners anyway as I am almost out of the woods. Bleeding for 5/6 weeks, no-one tells you about that before you get pregnant do they??!!

min it was my lovely MW who told me that whilst erm checking my wound!

bebejones - I am tempted to say to you stop expressing for a bit and just BF all the time but try to do as much actual BFing as you can, you need her at the boob as often as possible to get your milk going. In a couple of months you will look back at this time and laugh honestly you will.

Tjuice - sleeping late with your first baby is a must, I loved it getting up after 9am with DD1 pottling about going somewhere for lunch, oh easy days, poor wee B was woken up, changed and dressed for the nursery run this morning, then into a pram so I could do some shopping, the back in car seat, then in cot so I could have a shower, feed, car seat again, poor thing.

right must go sinner burning I think

Hi all.

Bebe, sorry you're having a bad time with bf right now. It will get better. Have to agree with sweetkitty in suggesting you give up expressing for a week or so. I was getting hardly anything either and left off for a while, starting when logan was more established. Now get 6oz in 20 - 30 minute. I also give hime 2 aptimils a day, one of which is in the afternoon, so, with that, which gives me a break to make sure i get time eat properly (i.e. too much cake), and 4 bfs plus two expresses a day, poor Logan is swimming in it all. Bless him. The other thing is to get some time with a mw to check your latch but I have to say, I know my latch is fine and still use nipple shields cos my skin is so sensitive - already had mastitis. Lansinoh is awesome. The only other piece of advice is the one my midwife gave me - make sure you sit down at 4pm every day and have a cream tea - keep that blood sugar up. Anyway, haven't really said anything that everyone else hasn't so good luck and hang in there.

I do have a question for everyone, tho, how long are your los feeding on each breast for now? Logan can go anything from 10 minutes to 30 minutes on each side.

Sorry, i seem to do these massive posts...

hi all

trying to will myself to going for my "run" (jog, walk).

elodie is on each boob on average 10mins. sometimes she needs a play break before getting the other one.

she also does that weird crying in her sleep thing. its so pitiful - it breaks my heart. but only lasts a second and she goes back to sleep.

bebejones - you are doing great, and there's not really much more advice I can give you. Please try and see a bf cousellor - your latch might be fine, but there might be a better position for you to try. Try and put Phoebe on the breast as much as possible. Try fiddling with your nipples to make them more erect before you start if you think flatness is a problem, or express a little to get the milk flowing then pop her on.

You need to have faith and confidence that your body can do this, and that really is one of the most difficult things about breastfeeding.

well said isaidno for some reason most people in this country don't believe that you can truly feed a baby for months on breastmilk alone I think if you can't see it going in you think theres nothing going in. On the other hand though if your beating yourself up about BFing and want to give formula theres nothing wrong with that either. With DD1 I was told so many times that I wouldn't be able to BF her it made me the opposite I was so determined. MIL also told me that I would be stopping THAT once her teeth came through. Same people that told me I wouldn't be ALLOWED a homebirth. Anyway I digress.

DP currently walking and rocking B and I'm just about to take over, oh evenings are such fun she just won't settle, might be a bit of colic I don't know, all my babies have been like this at the start luckily I have found out if you ride the storm it gets better. Not easy when you are in the middle of the storm now.

lol Sweetkitty at your 'sinner burning'! Didn't know you were so religious

Had my 6-week check today, useful to make sure GP was fully aware of Orlaith's HDN. Also had the contraceptive discussion, so thoughts needed, ladies, on whether I go for Mirena or the implant. Anyone got any experience of either?

DD1 started school on Tues , so we're up and about early these mornings. So jealous of the folks having lies-in and cuddles with their LOs.

Can you believe my DH has signed himself up for an extra-curricular study course? So now he sits upstairs of an evening doing his homework, leaving me on my own to look after Orlaith? At least he waits till the other 2 dds are in bed but still...... AIBU or is he bloody thoughtless??

I try to keep up but rarely get opportunity to post.
I am going to sound so thick now as Luke is my second but what is BLW in regards to weaning. It will seem so obvious once someone points it out, but for now I am confused!!!!!