Page 2 | Sept 08 - newborns, milk, nappies and all the rest ....

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

potxola · 05/09/2008 15:54

Hi I just found you.Thanks for starting the thread Sassafrass.

I am glad I am back at home, I came back from hospital yesterday afternoon. Lorea is putting on some weight now. She is so different from her brother . She feeds and sleeps on the sling. The brother was always awake and feeding on me.

During all the time i was in hospital the Midwifes didn't help me, just left me to feed her constantly. Her tummy is clear now from all the gunk she took during the C-section and she is a very chilled out baby, but that can change tomorrow as we know.
I have put some photos on my profile so you can see her.

Sassafrass I was reading one of those leaflets, I am sure they gave you in the hospital and it does say you need to keep on taking the antibiotic, maybe like jearund says, you need another one.
My dh has Lorea on the sling and he is fallen asleep while sitting on the sofa. I could never do that. It is Ok, He hasn't been spending quality time with her. Dh and ds came to the hospital to see us everyday, but ds was getting upset because we didn't go back home with them, so they only stayed with us for 15 min each day.
I am going to read your posts now.

mumiyumi · 05/09/2008 19:29

digitalgirl having a bath with few drops of lavender oil (or lavender bubble bath) in is supposed to help heal down below...i helped me first time round and i have some ready for this time. Hope this helps you x

DebitheScot · 05/09/2008 20:39

Ahhh, i can keep up with this thread, might have to give up on the antenatal one now!

potxola seems a bit pointless that they made you go in when they didn't even bother to check you. Glad she's doing much better now though.

digital glad to hear Alfredo is doing better too, hopefully you'll get going properly with the feeding now your milk is coming in.

We went out to the science centre at Bracknell today, was really good fun, ds1 (still think its weird having to add the 1 to ds) loved it, my mum had to practically be dragged out and ds2 slept the whole way round. Obviously not as enthused about science as the rest of his geeky family!

Think I'll have an easy day tomorrow though as we'll have a busy day on Sunday again. We're taking ds2 to his first rugby league match. It's the last game of the season and i was worried I wouldn't be able to go so was very excited when I was in labour on Sunday night when I realised that that should mean we'd all be able to go to the game.

Andrew is still doing well, he's feeding more often which is good as I have boobs like rocks and he's more alert. He's been a bit windy in the evening last night and today but not too bad. He just will not burp as soon as he finishes feeding.
He's sleeping well too (touch wood I won't jinx it by mentioning it), only waking once in the night for a feed and going straight back down in his crib after it. This morning he woke at about 6 which seemed early after the 2 previous mornings but I know that's pretty good really.

digitalgirl · 06/09/2008 01:57

Thanks for your support ladies - I've posted in the breast-feeding threads as I was beginning to use this thread as my own personal BF diary.

Had a really good morning, followed by a disappointing afternoon, followed by a very stressful evening. Should probably be asleep now but only just managed to finish Alfredo's 12 o'clock feed. He's due another at 3am...hoping it goes better than the last one.

Good to hear you're back home and Lorea is settling well potxola debi Lucky you with Andrew's sleeping/feeding patterns. I wish I could let Alfredo sleep longer through the night, but have been advised to wake him for three hourly feeds until his jaundice fades. Am hoping this fades soon as I'm beginning to feel a bit dizzy from lack of sleep. Amazing how you still manage to battle through though.

Talia1 · 06/09/2008 20:27

Yay post-natal thread that isn't moving at the speed of light - yet (until EandZ gets here at least).

Also been lurking on the BF threads and Digitalgirl you seem to be doing so well so far, i hope things get better. We had a nervous start to Anna's feeding where i was sat on the pump for the first few days and we fed her by cup to get calories down to get through just mild jaundice. Once she was over that she suddenly showed interest in the breast and fed much better (good for her, painful for me). Yesterday i think she must have hit the 2 week growth spurt as she would not stop feeding, i swear she left me completely drained and limp. So hard to keep going but today has been better.

I hope everyone is getting at least a little bit of sleep...

foxytocin · 06/09/2008 20:55

Digitalgirl I should have sent you this link before. I think it will be helpful to read the section called 'not enough milk jaundice'. It is quite possible that the pethidine made your baby sleepy which affected feeding in the first 2 days. colostrum, is a laxative among other things which by day one or two clears meconium from the bowels. If it stays there too long, the bilirubin in it starts to be reabsorbed into the body causing jaundice.

Follow the links to 'breast compression' etc. which will help you get on track. As tiktok says on your thread, 60ml of formula is a lot. If he is having this much formula, no wonder he just conks out and goes to sleep after wards. The jaundice is in the skin now, not in the blood I should think so i really think you can stop worrying about it making your baby ill.

this was another link I found helpful when dd had jaundice.

digitalgirl · 07/09/2008 20:25

Congratulations barnpot and welcome to the world Eliot James!! {grin]

Thanks foxy I think you're right. I suspect it was the pethidine that made him sleepy, combined with being slightly early. I read the breast compression technique, but I don't think I'm quite there yet with Alfredo. In the rare occasions he latches on he falls alseep (breast compression doesn't work here), on the even rarer occasion he suckles for up to five minutes (with breast compression). It's getting him to latch on regularly that i'm struggling with.

talia I'm really really hoping Alfredo is the same and that once we get passed the jaundice he takes to BF. Feels like a long way away at the moment.

My nipples hurt from all this pumping I'm doing. I'm putting Lanisoh on after each session. Is the trick not to let them dry out??

Anyway - weird expressing-related thing happened yesterday. I got up from my first breast-pumping session to go to the loo and on the way back I experienced the most bizarre sensation down my, erm, birth canal bits. Ran to the loo thinknig I was gushing loads of blood and out popped a giant clot the size of an egg. Of course I freaked out and decided that it was a bit of retained placenta. But midwife on the phone assured my husband that the expressing probably triggered a contraction in my uterus that dislodged a big clot that had collected due to my inactivity.

And the good news, it no longer hurts to wee!

I can't imagine how I'm ever going to leave the house if I have to keep up this marathon feeding routine. DH is being the most wonderful supportive husband and father I could ever wish for.

DebitheScot · 07/09/2008 21:43

foxy (I sometimes feel like we should be paying you for all the advice we all ask you for- you are amazing and very useful )
How long will my boobs stay rock hard for? They've been very hard and a bit sore for 2 days now and even when ds feeds for about half an hour they still feel pretty hard. Probably not as hard today after a feed as yesterday but still pretty solid. Is that just normal engorgement? I can't remember what it was like with ds1. He's feeding for about 30 mins on 1 side and then about 10 on the other every 3-4 hours. Does that sound ok? He's happy most of the time apart from a little bit windy in the evenings sometimes.

We went to the rugby today, also went to church this morning so it's been a long day but it was good. Glad we went to the rugby, got lots of comments about ds2 in his little Harlequins tshirt.

foxytocin · 07/09/2008 22:34

Deb at this age, you ought to aim for a minimum of 8 feeds per 24 hrs. It doesn't matter if the gaps are a little longer at night (4-6 hrs) as long as he is making up the difference for 8 feeds during the day and as long as there is not jaundice. OTOH, as long as he is gaining weight, is generally content and pooing 2x a day (if over a week old) and getting about 6 wet nappies a day, then don't let it worry you too much.

The rock hard boobs should ease after a couple of days. Your body is finding out how much milk it has to make and adjusts itself accordingly. Look out for any more noticeably sore or red spots as that can be a sign of a blocked duct.

A baby this age cannot bf too much so if you find he cluster feeds for a few hrs in the evening then, take over the couch and remote and send orders to the kitchen.

DG Glad you have spoken to the counsellor from the BfN and will be seeing someone (her?)tomorrow. The advice you wrote which she gave you is fab. She will be better than the MWs advice I am sure. Keep skin to skin as much as possible. With the compressions, if you start out immediately as soon as he finds the nipple, then try it from there. YOu don't have to wait. You would be expressing straight into his mouth. Give it a go. Nothing gained, nothing lost.

BTW, I don't know if you ladies know it, though I am sure I have said it a couple times on the antenatal board, but I am a peer supporter for the ABM and recently started my training to be a counsellor. What that means is that my help is all for free and that I cannot yet give advice. I can give encouragement when things are going right and reinforce good practice but I should refer you to contact a counsellor when I spot a bf problem. Hence why I clarify myself and say things like 'get in touch with a bf counsellor'. It is because I see a problem, I feel pretty sure of what I think it is and what will help to alleviate it but I have to refer you to a fully fledged counsellor because I cannot yet 'give advice' for very good reasons behind the ethics code of my organisation.

foxytocin · 07/09/2008 22:43

Deb, one more thing, you can express off a bit of milk for comfort or if you are finding that the engorgement causes your nipple to flatten out, making it harder for your baby to latch on.

Original poster

Sassafrass · 08/09/2008 12:44

Here's an updated arrivals list:

28-May - Johnworf ? Katherine, 1lb 8oz
30-June ? KashaSarrasin ? Felix, 1.39kg (3lbs 1oz)
26-July - Jenbot - Clara, 3lb 6oz
11-Aug - Crabby - Lilah 2.34kg (5lb 3oz)
13-Aug - Sassafrass - Katie Rose, 7lb 2oz
20-Aug - Sunshinemummy - Effy Marilyn, 6lb 3oz
22-Aug - Talia1 - Anna, 6lb 2oz
26-Aug - Jenpet - Samuel, 3.166 kilos (6lb 15oz)
28-Aug - Potxola - Lorea, 7lb 6oz
31-Aug - Digitalgirl - Alfredo, 7lbs
1-Sept - Debithescot - Andrew, 8lb 10oz
2-Sept - Barnpot - Elliot James, 4lb 7oz
4-Sept - Lollyheart - Fraser Liam, 6lb 6oz
4-Sept - Meglet - Meredith, 7lb 4oz
5-Sept - Sunflower78 - Maia, 2.8kg (6lbs 3oz)
5-Sept - Expatmom2be - Sophie, 6lbs 13oz
6-Sept - EandZ - Noah - 4.5kg (9lbs 15oz)

OP posts:

Original poster

Sassafrass · 08/09/2008 12:46

I'm very happy today, the health visitor has just been and weighed Katie and since last thursday she has gained 8 ounzes so she's is doing really well with her weightgain.

OP posts:

potxola · 08/09/2008 13:31

Well done Sassafrass . Katie is doing great
Sorry I have not been around, ladies you know what it is like. Lack of sleep, hours waking her up when she has fallen to sleep on the breast at half feed.

Thank you for all your words.
Lorea has not lost any weight, but she has not put on any either, so yesterday the MW asked me to give her formula, 4oz, but she only took 1oz. With my ds I never used formula and I am feeling a bit of a failure.
The problem is that Lorea eats really slowly and falls asleep before reaching the rich milk towards the end. Tomorrow they are going to weigh her again and I will do anything for her to put on weight, but I am not going to the hospital. I hope I don't have to give up BF, we will see.
FOXY HOW LONG DO THE BABIES NEED TO BE ON THE BREAST TO REACH THE RICH MILK? Is 20 min enough? Thanks

Original poster

Sassafrass · 08/09/2008 14:17

Potxola, have you tried changing her nappy after her feed and then putting her back on the breast again?

OP posts:

sagecat · 08/09/2008 14:20

potxola Don't even think for a moment you are a failure. Remember that it is very common for a new babe to lose weight in the first week, so for that not to happen is really good. If you don't want to give formula - don't (in my opinion only) at this stage just wait and see whats going on at the weigh-in.

My DD fell asleep on the breast quite often, try tickling her ear or palm of hand - it will gently wake her and she should contiue feeding - best of luck

foxytocin · 08/09/2008 16:13

pot there is no set time for a baby to be on a side to reach the hindmilk. it is a misleading term and timing compounds the problem. if you are concerned about weight gain and falling asleep at the breast in the early days, then following the link for breast compression when L starts to slow down or fall asleep will help her get more from that breast. the videos are worth looking at too. I [heart] dr jack newman in a nerdy way. his website is worth exploring.

when that no longer works, then swap breasts as the faster flow from that side will wake her. try not to overdress her and feed her at every opportunity. If someone can give N more attention so you can spend more time on the couch or in bed doing lots of skin to skin and unlimited access to the breast is really the best way forward.

you may want to bookmark this page as it has good info to remind yourself and good links for further reading and concerns.

foxytocin · 09/09/2008 00:39

Mastitis link for you Sass. hope you don't have anymore future problems with it.

MunkiMom · 09/09/2008 14:46

Hello New mums!!
hope all is going well with you and all the lovely new babies!

just wanted to poke my head in and report that you should be getting a few
more graduates very soon!

meglet & milkbeard have delivered...
and a couple hours ago, Mustsleep's waters broke and we
haven't heard much of her since!

ponymum is having C/s today, and we've yet to hear from starlightMack
at all today, AND its her due date today! first punctual baby, we think?!?

anyways,take care! we'll see ya soon!

MunkiMom · 09/09/2008 14:55

...and my apologies for leaving one out!

Iliketomoveitmoveit gave birth yesterday! so much activity!

ARRIVALS
28-May - Johnworf ? Katherine, 1lb 8oz
30-June ? KashaSarrasin ? Felix, 1.39kg (3lbs 1oz)
26-July - Jenbot - Clara, 3lb 6oz
11-Aug - Crabby - Lilah 2.34kg (5lb 3oz)
13-Aug - Sassafrass - Katie Rose, 7lb 2oz
20-Aug - Sunshinemummy - Effy Marilyn, 6lb 3oz
22-Aug - Talia1 - Anna, 6lb 2oz
26-Aug - Jenpet - Samuel, 3.166 kilos (6lb 15oz)
28-Aug - Potxola - Lorea, 7lb 6oz
31-Aug - Digitalgirl - Alfredo, 7lbs
1-Sept - Debithescot - Andrew, 8lb 10oz
2-Sept - Barnpot - Elliot James, 4lb 7oz
3-Sept - Milkbeard - Jack, 5lb 1oz
4-Sept - Lollyheart - Fraser Liam, 6lb 6oz
4-Sept - Meglet - Meredith, 7lb 4oz
5-Sept - Sunflower78 - Maia, 2.8kg (6lbs 3oz)
5-Sept - Expatmom2be - Sophie, 6lbs 13oz
5-Sept - Bogie - Phoebe
6-Sept - EandZ - Noah - 4.5kg (9lbs 15oz)
8-Sept - ILikeToMoveItMoveIt - Mac, 9lbs 11oz
9-Sept - Ponymum -?
9-Sept - Mustsleep ??

...busy busy!

potxola · 09/09/2008 14:58

Thank you foxytocin The info you have given me is very helpful. Gracias!

Lorea was weight today and put on 60 gr. I have only been giving her 1oz before going to bed for the last 2 days and 1oz at around 8:00 am. Because she feeds on demand every 1.5-2hrs, these feeds coincide with the times when my breast are not full, so I am not worried about losing my milk because I feed her 2 hrs later. I BF my ds till he was 2 years, but her sister is so different, calmer and not as hungry.
Anyway, thanks for your advice girls. I won't give up.

digitalgirl · 09/09/2008 15:19

potxola Glad to hear Lorea's put on weight. Sounds like you're doing the right thing by her.

foxy you're advice has been invaluable

Breaking news - Alfredo actually breastfed for 35 minutes at 6am this morning!!! Our first real experience of proper breastfeeding! Of course, he's not repeated this performance since - but it's progress. Breastfeeding counsellor is on her way, hoping she can give us some tips on how to phase the formula/pumping out assuming the breastfeeding picks up on a regular basis.

And all my oedema has finally gone down. I have ankles and wrists again! And cheekbones!

Just waiting for the SPD to disipate, the stitches to go and the bleeding to stop and I might actually start to feel like my old self again.

potxola · 09/09/2008 15:45

digitalgirl I am glad Alfredo is enjoying BF. Lucky man!
I also woke up with normal ankles and legs!!!!!!!

meglet · 09/09/2008 16:13

hello everyone! It's my turn to join the postnatal thread .

Meredith seems to be a very chilled out baby, very different from her big brother . She was weighed today at 5 days and is still the same weight, no jaundice and plenty of wet & poo-y nappies. I had to get the nursery nurse to come and see us while we were still in the hospital as it seemed too easy . Boobs very full at the moment so I've expressed & frozen tiny bits of milk so she can latch on better, but otherwise things are weirdly calm.

I had my cs stitches out today, it was not at all painful I'm pleased to report!

catinsussex · 09/09/2008 16:33

Arrivals!
28-May - Johnworf ? Katherine, 1lb 8oz
30-June ? KashaSarrasin ? Felix, 1.39kg
26-July - Jenbot - DD, 3lb 6oz
11-Aug - Crabby - Lilah 2.34kg
13-Aug - Sassafrass - Katie Rose, 7lb 2oz
20-Aug - Sunshinemummy - Effy Marilyn, 6lb 3oz
22-Aug - Talia1 - Anna, 6lb 2oz
26-Aug - Jenpet - Samuel, 3.166 kilos (about 6lb10oz?)
28-Aug - Potxola - Lorea, 7lb 6oz
31-Aug - Digitalgirl - Alfredo, 7lbs
1-Sept - Debithescot - Andrew, 8lb 10oz
2-Sept - Barnpot - Elliot James, 4lb 7oz
04-Aug- catinsussex- Olivia, 6lb 14oz

jearund · 09/09/2008 16:55

Digitalgirl that's wonderful news! Hope it goes well with the BF consillor, keep us posted on what she says/ does.

Potxola - Hola, I'm missing you on the antenatal thread! Great that Lorea is finally putting on some weight - keep it up!

This time next week Dougie should be here.......