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!!!!!

Sweetkitty when I was in hospital I kept wondering if you had had your LO yet, was glad to see you had. I felt and related to your desperation - SPD was soooo awful. Hope you are feeling much better now.
I have been a bit teary for no real reason, DH looked at me the wrong way etc. I remember last time it kicked in for a few days between Day 5 - 10.
I am enjoying my LO. I feel a bit more relaxed this time and not so caught up in 'doing it right'.

Sweetkitty I was the same re: both iron and baby blues - just made me want to hide away at home and see no-one. So really empathise- hormones are funny old things. Keep eating leafy green veg for the iron (mw also said that high cocoa content chocolate had a fair bit of iron in it so get out the green & blacks!) Dried apricots are good too.

CilC - being relaxed seems to be the most important thing! I am only now able to just chill, try for a routine but go with the flow and not get all upset if things go pear-shaped. I have put the books down and am just rolling with it and its so much more fun.

I am saying this today though, because I had an amazingly civilizing 5 hr stretch of sleep last night! Lack of sleep can make everything seem a bit grey and humourless . . .

Can't believe how quickly babies grow. Went to my yoga mums group today and saw week and two-week old babies that made Elodie look ginormous. I wanted to show her off as she is starting to get more alert and interactive but of course she was just knocked out the whole time. Got her home and she was all bright-eyed and smiley - typical!!

SK - hope your iron levels go up soon. i am still doing the prenatal vits and floradix and i really notice when i don't take it.

have good nights everyone!

just coming on this thread for a SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The DS are completely winding me up today, fighting, shouting, spilling milk, thank god it's nearly bedtime.

Poppy wouldn't settle all morning and is now blotto when I want her to be tiring herself out for bed.

Is it nearly wine o'clock?

Hi All,

have not read through yet. So tired and soo busy. DD had chickenpox!!! Arggg! I am bf and ff so hoping the bf will give Calvin some protection - any of yo have experience of chickenpox in 1 so young? Incubation period is 11 - 20 days and he is only 8 days old so expecting it anytime soon

Really aneamic due to huge blood loss in delivery (retained placenta again)which is not helping and Calvin is a clocky baby who pukes loads = washing washing and more washing. Had night form hell last night too - he just wanted to feed all night long. Hw as touch jaundiced - orange hair and orange skin to match!!! Had himn out in the pram in garden yesterday so he is looking a more normal colour now.

I will put up some pics when I get a chance and have not been on facebook so out of touch there. The 15th was busy day wasnt it?

Anyway hope you are all well and babies are settling into a good routine.

xxxxxx

Should be DD has chickenpox.

hey Rumpel just posted you a message on the other thread, yes the 15th was a busy day, Bethany is still a fetching shade of orange but is getting better, she has been sun bathing in her moses basket by the window the past few days. No colic here we just have one huge burp after a feed and thats her, but we have puke and loads of it. The other night I picked her up and was gazing at her a few inches away from me (as you do) telling her she is beautiful and all the rubbish you talk to a newborn about and she projectile vomited in my face and mouth! Forgave her though she is far too cute.

isaidno - I am just about getting through the day as DP is still here he is back to work on Monday am dreading it.

Tjuice - so glad Elodie is doing well, love the pics on facebook she is beautiful

Minkus - I so feel like that just want to hide away with my family, last few days have been better though no visitors so it's felt a bit less stressful.

CliC - thank you for your kind words, the SPD has gone in the most part it's so nice being able to walk again isn't it? I feel so stiff though suppose it's months of doing as little as possible, think everything has seized up.

Last MW visit tomorrow feel very emotional about it, she has been brilliant, when I read some of the stories on here I realise how lucky I was I got the birth I wanted, at home with the DDs and DP. Very quick labour and a very caring MW who respected my wishes to the letter. I really got on with her and will ve very sad when she stops visiting us, the DDs love her as well.

Jules what a beautiful post you have made me cry

I fall in love with my DP all over agsin when I see him with a baby too, he adores all his girls. Our liitle madam has the whole house twisted around her little finger. Her sisters fight to get the closest to her and to fetch me her nappy.

Your LO fought so hard to be here she truly is a spirited little fighter

On the BFing front first 3 weeks are the hardest get through them and it gets a whole lot easier.

I am so to be on the postnatal board at last!

Jules, what you wrote about your ds was lovely, I am so glad you are enjoying Eleanor.

Has anyone else had ankle swelling after giving birth? I had it quite badly while pregnant, but was helped by wearing support stockings (very fetching!) and assumed it would all settle down as soon as I gave birth. But today my feet look like balloons again and none of my shoes fit, I had to go out and buy some looser sandals. Is this normal or should I be worried?

Rumpel, just read your birth story on the other thread, sorry you had such a hard time delivering the placenta. Anaemia is really debilitating, you must make sure you rest as much as you can, is your dh at home to help?

ponto - shocking story, really upset me. So pleased that you have your LO now, but still... makes me mad that you can be put through that.

Also Ponto - my feet, ankles and legs swelled up beyond belief after the birth. I could hardly move my feet and had to wear support stockings. I was quite worried and consulted the midwife who said it happens to some of us as the body is trying to rid itself of all the excess fluid. It should go in a few days. If it doesn't seek help as pre-eclampsia can strike after the birth.

rumpel - interesting how they used that new method to deal with your retained placenta. After having my contractions reinduced after giving birth to Charlie, they made me push for an hour and it wouldn't come out. Then the doctor pulled the cord with both hands as if it was a tug-o-war and the cord snapped and pinged back inside me. Eventually they wheeled me into theatre, gave me a spinal block and manually removed the placenta. I had no idea the procedure meant his whole arm was up me pulling my placenta out from under my ribs. I found it very traumatic and was sobbing as he yanked away inside me for about an hour. Would have loved to have known about this new technique.

Jules - very moving post. So happy for you and your DP now.

CilC and everyone else who posted advice on good areas to move to - thanks, I feel better already. Thinking about down Kingston way - watch out CilC!

Thanks guys. Difficult few days. Migraine kicked in 24 hours post birth so may have blocked colostrum production but did start to produce some yesterday. In the meantime, DS became very distressed at the breast as there was nothing for him (as my instinct was telling me!) but La leche phone advice said to persevere as they were sure he was getting something. Anyway, cut along story short, caved in on Wed at 1am and gave him a small cup of organic formula, which he wolfed down and some more 4 hours later. Midwife came yesterday, DS is dehydrated with jaundice and been advised to top up with formula till milk is established as colostrum isn't enough to hydrate him, especially as he is not latching and VERY sleepy.
I still have a cracking migraine and am having a cranio treatment tonight so haven't read any posts. Needless to say, I'm in love with baby Nate despite my exhaustion.

Gilly, don't feel bad about giving ds formula, all babies are different, small amounts of colostrum are fine if baby is well but if he is jaundiced he will need extra until your milk comes in. Hope your migraine goes soon.

Bryony was very large so she was feeding constantly for the first day, but was still jittery and her blood sugar was a bit low so I was advised by the midwife in hospital to give her a top-up with formula. If this had been dd1 I would have been very precious about exclusive breast feeding but to be honest this time I was so relieved to have an option that would help her. She settled at once after about 20ml of formula, which I gave after a 2 hour breastfeeding session. I think we are very lucky to live in a time when we have the option to give a safe alternative to breast milk if something goes wrong. My milk has come in now and she didn't need a top-up at all yesterday.

Peanut, it's very reassuring to find someone else with swelling post-natally, I felt like I was really abnormal yesterday with my elephant legs, dh had to cuddle me on his lap while I cried for an hour about being so enormous still! Think I may have got a touch of the baby blues , I feel much better this morning.

gilly - i hope you're not reading this because you are asleep in a darkened room - computer screens are bad for migraines! Thinking of you.

ponto - as the song says, you're not alone. my postnatal swelling was quite worrying with the skin on my ankles so stretched i thought it was going to split! i still occasionally feel a bit fat. I was a size 10 before pregnancy and decided to enjoy it and eat whatever I wanted, which unfortunately was white chocolate magnums! I ended up putting on 20kg! Now I still have 13kg to lose to get back to pre-preg size and still have to wear my maternity clothes which is a bit depressing after 2 months... hence the sit-ups I did this morning... the new regime has begun!!

took Poppy to be weighed today and at 5 weeks she is 9 lb 4 oz (3 lb up on birth weight) so that is nice to know.

After a not so good day yesterday I feel a little on the edge today - like it could all go horribly wrong... I have nearly lost my temper with the DS several times.

Hope your migraine has gone Gilly, and that your milk is beginning to come in.

Peanut - I have a stone to lose - started my healthy eating plan this week - apples not biscuits!

Peanut - I have the same amount to lose. I gained 12 kilos and lost 6, but I was about 7 kilos more than my ideal weight to begin with.

Shall we support each other through our "regimes"?? I want to just stop eating biscuits and chocolate and cut back on bad carbs and too much fat. But of course, it will be mellow as i don't want to jeapordize the breastfeeding in any way.

Would also like to restart some exercise . . .

Hi All,

SWEETKITTY - yep I had puke in my hair the other night

JUSTJULES - it does make you wonder what your other littlies would have been like if they had made it so know what you mean. we are lucky to have the ones we have though and they make you .

PONTO - DH is home until Monday but TBH we are both knackered - he is tired most of the time due to the accident he had about 5 years ago, so he cannot do as much as he used to be able to - still a help though.

GILLY - I did not have colostrum either and it took 3 days before I had anything to offer Calvin. DH gave him a bottle of formula int he hospital after he was born as he just would not settle. We have been ff and bf and expressing and it works for us just fine - he is happy and the jaundice has gone and it means that I am not under extra pressure too. You can only do the best you can do and the main thing is baby is getting enough food no matter where it comes from.

PEANUT - that is what happened to me with DD - legs in stirrups, and arm up inside you to pull it out - at least you cannot feel any pain that way - was bloody agony when they were rubbing my tum to try to stop the bleeding - at least it came out this time and no spinal block. You should mention it if it happens to you next time - we must make excellent placentas

Re weight - I have lost 16lbs but still need to lose another3 stone I have been wanting to walk with the pram the last few days but I am so tired and just keeping up with house stuff and looking after DD and Calvin is enough at the moment. Also I have realy loose bowels - even though I am on iron tabs and spatone!!! I think it must be the hormones going bonkers!!

Anwya take care all - cuddles to all the littlies.xxx

OMG peanut and rumpel re the retained placentas, I was 5 minutes away from surgery with DD1 but MW had final yank, thats why I refused the syntometrin the last twice, I think your body knows how to get it out itself without drugs but of course drugs are a good back up in case anything goes wrong

On the weight thing I measured myself on DPs new toy last night a WiiFit, I am half a stone over prebaby weight and have a BMI of 22odds, my WiiFit age is 46 tried some v basic balance tests and am way off not surprising considering my pelvis has not been straight in months, I also feel v weak and stiff still, my posture sucks too. Will give it a few weeks and try some of the exercises.

I am going to eat more fruit and try and do some walking, she says after eating 5 choccie biscuits

The morning started well when I picked up a nappyless A to remove the dirty muslin under him (he had peed on it) only to feel this warm sensation down me. Oh, thinks I, he has peed again. Look down. Nope, it was poo. Lovely.

Rumpel - hope DD gets better soon.

SweetK - sorry the vomiting story made me lol.

Ponto - I am just at your story - you have to complain not only for you but for everyone else who might end up in that situation.

I have just been doing the math as I work in stones but basically I put on 3 stone (19Kg) , I have lost 1 stone (6.3 kg) and now have 2 stone to go to (12kg). The milk tray I have by my right hand (baby occupied on left hand) probably won't help. However DH singing the big pant song as he folds my size 22 tesco waist high pants (so they don't rub the scar - honest) might.

libra1975 - the vomiting story was meant to make you laugh I didn't even flinch thats a 3rd time mum for you.

B has been v unsettled today she has spent most of it in my or DPs left arm too, she will need to get used to crying a bit from next week though

Just popping by to say hello.... And to let you all know I'm still alive! and I've nearly survived week one on my own with the two of them!!!! I must say it's been fine, DS1 is a total angel (well not total, but he's been good!) and Sam is so easy (apart from today when he just hasn't really settled)

One question... When does BF stop hurting? Sam is now 3 weeks and it still hurts a little, not toe curling anymore, thank god, but still a little pain... When shall I expect that to stop?

Finally get on...
Leah is doing well feeding and sleeping well. DDs love her kissing and huging all the time!

I am wondering are any of you ladies having trouble in the no 2 dept? (TMI ALERT) OMG i have piles and it is so sore to do no 2!!!Gone 2 times and it has not been easy... Eating loads of fruit and drinking water to beat the band! still kills me!

Hope all the newbies are well..

minnie - I would buy some cream if you haven't already. I think piles may make you constipated.. and I know the pain.

Morning all - another hot day??

DS4 and DD are going to childminder today and i am taking Abbie out to lunch with mum - then we are going to see "Mama Mia" - really looking forward to it
I took DS4 to the cinema with me when he was little and it was great xxxx

oh do you have baby cinema there too?

i am planning to see Sex and the City at baby bio next week.
Its so cool, either you leave your baby outside the cinema door in the pram with a number on it. There are attendants watching them and if they cry, they come in and show your number. Then you can bring your baby in and feed it. The sound is not too high and there is a slightly dim light so you can see what you are doing.

Sounds great but I am a bit nervous in case Elodie starts bellyaching like she has been recently.