May 2009 - loved-up new mums and/or sleep-deprived zombies this way please

[pulapula]

Here's a nice new thread for us to share our experiences with our new LOs.

Blimey Monimo, I've never woken a sleeping baby for a feed!

Momino- I'm sure she will make up for it today. Enjoy the sleep, well done Harper!!! I'm a little of all the sleeping babies although I can't complain Rueben wakes every 3 hours for a feed but goes to sleep in his basket straight away afterwards.

DH started him on a dummy last night. It did seem to work well. He is such a milk monster and is feeding 1.5/2 hourly during the day some times and has put on nearly 2 pounds in 2 weeks so definately doesn't need such alot of milk. If the dummy can just stretch him out to 3 hourly feeds then it will be better I think. DD was on a dummy by this age too.

hi all mummys and babies

proud mummy alert her to- Baby L slept from 11.30pm last night till after 7am this morning had a lovely sleep, would have been even better if ds1 didnt wake up and come in bed with me (but he does have a cold so ill let him off!) i just cant believe what a good baby he is im amazed, in a very good way

midwife wieghed him again yesterday and he now weighs 7lb, he had gone down to 6lb 8oz last friday so has put on 8oz in 5 days!

Baby L now has a dummy too, we were trying not to give him one only for the reason that we didnt want ds1 to get jealous of it, but he really seemed to need it so we decided we didnt wanna make him suffer for ds1's sake so we talked to him about it first and explianed why babies need dummys and he has been fine about it which is a grat relief. Baby L only has it to fall asleep then he spits it out himself. but its much better than having to let him suck my finger for hours to get him to settle like i was having to do.

im gonna attempt to go to play group today with both of them or the first time L is 10 days old today. wish me luck

hope everyone has a good day

thanks. i just felt a little guilty since HV had told me just yesterday she needed the extra feed at 10/11pm. But i was so tired I couldn't make the effort to wake her.

I told HV that she'd wake up if she were hungry (right?) and HV replied yes but if H is going more than a few hours at this age without a feed and she's not huge it could be blood sugar so i should try to wake her.

I think i'll listen to what fi (i think it was you) and belgian said earlier that babies find their own 'centile' even if it's lower than the one on which they were born and will follow that. Either Harper is following her sisters being on 25th centile or it's down to my BFing. No matter what, I feel insecure.

Do you think the guilt/insecurity is a mum/parent thing (ie does anyone else feel this way)? it's almost like damned if you do or don't.

Febes, glad the dummy worked. and you're right - 3 hours for a feed and going to sleep afterwards is what they're supposed to do, you're doing great!

M&Bsmummy, hope playgroup with both M and L went ok, that's a milestone IMO, not an easy task.

at all those babies having a long sleep last night. C fed 2 hourly last night, which I could cope with if it was a case of feeding and straight back of too sleep, because she feeds quite quickly, but from 4-6 she did her grunty noisy thing again, keeping me awake Then when C finally settled the cat started meowing at our bedroom door even more . DH was nice enough to let me have a lie in and I stayed in bed until 10, I didn't sleep the whole time, maybe another 45min, but at least I got some rest. I feel totally drained now. It's my 3rd night in a row with not enough sleep and in my case that means hardly any, because I can survive on a lot less sleep than most people. I hope she'll be quieter tonight. On the positive side, she does sleep well in her own crib now and she's equally noisy in her crib or our bed, so it's not that that makes her so noisy.

Momino I wouldn't feel too guilty about letting H sleep. Personally I think blood sugar could be a problem with a very very newborn baby, but I think at a good few weeks old that's less of an issue. I don't think H would let herself starve, so if she's happy then she must be getting enough. As for guilt. Yes, guilt is a big part of parenting. I feel guilty all the time. At the moment it's for not spending enough time with ds and dd1 and for ds getting sunburnt over the weekend . It's hard, because you want to do the right thing and be the perfect mummy, but no one can do that. It's one of these things you just have to learn to accept Just keep an eye on your feeling of guilt to make sure it's not getting more than just guilt and starts leaning towards PND, IYKWIM.

Matthewandbumpsmummy Enjoy your trip to the play group!

Another proud mummy alert. C is getting so big now. I was running out of vests that fit, but have a big stash of 3-6 months ones that people got me as presents, so rather than going out to buy some more I tried one on and it's a perfect fit! Can you believe a 3 week old baby fitting into 3-6 months clothes!

I think it is true, Momino. DS1 was on the 91st centile at birth but hovers between the 9th and the 25th now. I had all sorts lectures from the MWs and HVs.

Hello all,

I am amazed at all these babies sleeping 7+ hours at night! I'm still feeding every 3 hours. Momino- I have never woken a baby for a feed at night, but did used to "dreamfeed" DD and DS1 at 11pm (with a bottle) but that was more in the hope they would then go a good few hours without needing another. I am thinking of doing the same with DS2 as he is a right pain when he wakes between 10 and 11 for a feed. He falls asleep at the breast quickly and then wakes after 15 mins as he wants more. Repeat a few times and its after midnight by the time i get to sleep. At least with a bottle I will know how much he's taken and whether i should rouse him a bit to take some more.

My mastitis is getting better- I was very shivery then hot last night, but a bit more normal today.

The HV came this morning and DS2 has gained 12.5 oz in 8 days and is now 9lb 11.5oz at 23 days old . He is becoming much more calm when awake and quite happy to sit on my knee and look around. He seems to be feeding every 2 hours so far today but will go along with it incase its a growth spurt.

momino remember the charts in our red books are based on formula fed babies.. like belgian says i'm sure harper would have woken earlier for a feed if she'd needed it.

I think I've mentioned this before, but the centile a baby is born on has more to do with how well the placenta is working, than with what the baby's genetic ideal weight is. As llare will know, babies of diabetic mums are often very big at birth, but many wont stay that big and will loose weight/have slow weight gain until they get to their 'ideal' centile, the same as a baby that was struggling to grow in the womb will catch up in leaps and bounds and gain a lot of weight after the birth. So once again, don't feel guilty Momino you're doing a brilliant job and you're a great mum to H

I'm officially moving over with my delayed BS! Below..

So last Friday morning we went to see the doc to see what was going on armed with the bags as advised. The monitor was fine, I was 2cm, but the scan showed that the amniotic fluid was lower still and he said he would rather induce.. So not really knowing whether this was a bonkers idea, we moved to the fancy room (with a lovely garden and sitting room!) and the midwife can round. By 1130 I was in a gown on an oxytocin drip ? having managed to refuse the enema HOORRAY . Contractions started straight away and built up. Spent the time on the monitor and wandering around watching The Wire on the DVD. At around 230 with not much progress, the doc broke my waters (cue first near-faint by DH). They were clear, but sparse indeed. This, the drip and walking around really kicked things off and the cx were coming hard and fast. BUT I was still only 3 cm and rather demoralised. I was put on the monitor again (ow) and promised my epi half an hour later. This arrived at 4pm (time for DH to feel faint gain and sit down - what else was the living room for?) and the man made me do it all in Spanish before breaking into perfect English!
Epi in, all was well, and I just laid back and waited. The cervix had finally effaced and then started dilating better. By 7pm we were nearly there, and the baby was not fussed by it all. I started feeling pressure and cx at the top of the uterus and the head started coming down. This is where it got rather funny. DH was dressed in surgical greens (he suits green but this was a MEAN shade), the dr arrived assured me it would be easy and got me to feel the head inside which was weird, but it was low, and it felt like I could push it out any moment.
So we moved to theatre complete with 7 people, bright lights, stirrups, the works, and DH looking like (he thinks) Dr Carter in ER. I was really not sure about this set up but willing to give it a go before I moved onto my knees and grunted UK-style. When they were all ready I was told to push (push down!! ? where else??) and it was so quick and easy I couldn?t believe it ? Gabriel was out in a few minutes, DH plucked up the courage to watch, and he was handed to me to hold straight away (the baby, not DH). The 7 people swung into action for the 3rd stage, checking the baby, cleaning me up, epi off ? it was remarkable and very smooth. I was lifted back into bed and back in the room in no time to feed baby G and cuddle with the light dim, and an ice pack on my bits! No stitches (and what a difference that makes), no grazes, nothing.
After 2 nights of behaving like strange brits (yes we would like to keep the baby overnight, no bottles please, no you can?t take him to have a bath etc), and DH complaining about his sofa bed we came home. DS had visited his brother in hospital, and been pampered by his grandmother who promptly had to fly home, leaving us to settle in.
Gabriel is a gorgeous little trooper. Feeds A LOT and hardly cries. We feel much more confident this time. DS1 playing up some but is improving. Nips sore but getting better. I?ll try and make a profile with pic now...

just taken last ab for absess.. but now seem to have broken out in hives! not the first time i've had this at end of ab's but still annoying and so very itchy arrrgh

pula I did a dream feed with dd1 too (although at the time I didn't know it was called a dream feed). She'd latch on to the breast and feed in her sleep and it did work, because she'd sleep for 4-5h. I've tried it with C andshe can't seem to do it at all. She wont open her mouth and if she does open it, she wont suckle. The once or twice I did manage to get her to feed at my bedtime it didn't make any difference to the time she woke for her next feed, so I think she's one of those babies for whom it doesn't work I wish it did. I could really do with more sleep. I feel like one of those sleep deprived zombies from the thread title at the moment .
C feeds every 2-3h depending, so also getting better from her hourly feeds of the 1st week. I think sometimes she overfeeds. She doesn't seem to stop when full and then has tummy ache and brings some of her milk back. Maybe that's why she's so noisy at night, tummy ache. Though, she's not crying. Oh, I don't know why she makes those noises. All I know is that I wish she'd stop!

wonder how grumpy is? hope iol was straight forward and that she's cuddling her lo atm.

Phew!

We've just been to vote. I am very pleased with DS. I took both boys, alone, with the pram and was not looking forward to keeping DS under control and steering the pram. But, it was fine! I think I don't give DS enough credit. He was very good and kept holding the pram or my hand. I treated him to the park on the way home.

Now waiting for Ocado after waiting in for the HV earlier. George has put on 1 and a half pounds since his last weigh in a week and a half ago, so although he is still on the 25th centile he is gaining weight despite the tongue tie.

Now I have a decision to make about the tongue tie. To snip or not? The HV suggested chatting it through with a speech therapist which is a great idea. I'm really torn about it as it isn't inhibiting feeding but I don't want to take a risk on his speech.

llaraggub- interesting about the tongue-tie. I thought DS2 had tongue-tie in hospital (he had a weak latch and i thought it might be affecting him) and mentioned it to the paed doctor. They said even if it affected feeding the current policy is to do nothing, not snip. My CMW noticed it too but said if he was feeding OK and gaining weight then its not a problem. Didn't think about later speech development .

Bonjour, bonjour. I think I have gotten over the no sleep thing for today and am a bit hyper! Gaaaah! Also, all the gubbins I have been taking for my bunged up bum is finally working and its, erm, speedily making its exit! Yuk!

Pula - thanks for the tips re swaddling - M hates it ggrr... but when dp does it it works a dream. Hmf. The 2 hr thing is (for eg) she wakes up at 0100, feeds and faffs about, goes back to sleep around 0145, and then would wake up again around 0330 or so. Actually, I suppose thats not too bad really.

Belgian - ta for the advice re the wet and pooey nappies - MW is due here any time now and she will be weighed today, so watch this space! And - blimey - 5 hours! You are SOOOO lucky!!

Rosielady and Emmabemmasmom - phew, am so glad its not just me thats a teary mess. Sorry, not meaning I'm glad you are too. But that I'm not weird. Even a snuffly snore from dp is enough to send me into a gibbering wreck. Gr. And Momino, I know how you're feeling too, although I'm more teary than angry at M, although I probably will snap soon. Its when dp gets really cross in the middle of the night and stands up in a huff and announces he's off to the sofa (good) but that upsets me again... vicious circle, really. Harumph.

Thanks also to LadyHelen2 - I know you're right, and dp only wants to help. But still. Its like with Febes - you're so not the only one with a grumpy dp/h. Why can't they just see that we're sooooo stressed?!

Oooh no pleeease don't wake up, shssshhh.....! Nah, just gurgles. Still, the mw will wake her up in a mo

I'm off to my parents in a bit for a long weekend - dp is joining us on Saturday.... can't wait to get to the countryside and a bit of tlc from Mum.....

Afternoon ladies.

Alapala congrats on your new arrival. Sounds like your labour went really well and was v. civilised.. I think we could do with sitting rooms in our hospitals... ! And lol at DH fainty spells !

Saus do take care of yourself. Baby blues is absolutely normal but my experience is that it turned into PND. Getting some TLC from your Mum this weekend sounds like a fab idea.

Also, I am getting stressy with DH too. Last night G was a monkey, and screamed between 2.30 and 4.30am, which is most unlike him. DH asked if I was OK and I screamed at him to F-off . I just get fed up that he normally snored through all of the feeds, and to be fair, there isn't anything he can do but I am still resentful of it. Especially when he snores through everything and then claims to be tired in the morning because he was woken up !

Llare phew that DS1 has dropped the feeding. It must free up some of your time

Thanks all for your advice on dummies. I tried G on them yesterday and he was having none of it at all ! But I'm glad I tried and have them handy if I want to try again.

Any BFers out there... G seems to have a problem with feeding from my left boob. He takes 2 or 3 gulps and then screams and screams, and then gulps some more, then screams again. If I swap him to the other boob he doesn't seem to have a problem, so I don;t think it's a problem with the milk. Any ideas? I think it might be that my letdown is a bit violent because he seems to gulp and gulp when he first latches on but not sure what I can do about it, apart from persevere. It is frustrating because I feel like I am 'poisoning' him with my milk, IYKWIM... but I think I am being emotional because I am tired.

Right, off to cook tea.

sausagen that 5h sleep was a fluke. It's not happened again since and unfortunately ds decided to wake when for once I would have had a good sleep . Anyway, I'm v. tired today even with my lie in that DH has let me have this morning.
Have fun at your parents this weekend. It'll be a nice rest and break for you, no cooking/cleaning/washing etc... Lovely. Enjoy

C is v. grumpy today. Maybe her being noisy means she's not sleeping well either. So she's been carried around in the sling a lot. For the first time ever I used it when out so I had to tie it by the car. I must say it was just as quick as getting the pram out of the boot and much much easier on my back! I'll do that again and I'll get even quicker the more I do it.

tongue tie I'm surprised about hearing that it might affect speech development later. I always thought that they stopped snipping because it doesn't affect bottle feeding. Someone I know (adult) has got a severe tongue tie, but you can't hear it when she talks.

blotted the moby is on its way to you

Tummum it does sound like an overactive letdown. I get it on both sides and C is used to it, but she does do gulp, gulp, gulp, splutter, choke, cough, little cry and then goes back on. If you can feel your letdown, take G off while it's happening and then let him go back on when the let down has finished. Your milk shouldn't come out quite as quickly then and he should find it a bit easier.
My dh is another one like yours. He also snores to nearly everything and then complains about being woken and tired

Belgian, it won't definitely affect speech but it might, and if it does we've got speech to sort out. It can also prevent french kissing too!

tummum- i got annoyed with DH and his snoring last night and woke him up just to tell him so (poor DH). My DS2 struggles with my letdown too and i had big milk dribbles all over my top when the HV came today. She suggested expressing a bit off before a feed which should slow down the flow and also reduce his wind. Bit tricky when he sleeps on me and wakes wanting a feed straightaway but might try it when i have the opportunity. You could always try tricking G by doing the rugby ball hold to fool him into thinking he's on the other side because he will be lying the other way up IYKWIM.

Tummum It's obviously sour milk in the left Seriously, you could express a little off to start with and then try to latch on.

X post. Sorry

llare lol that tongue tie can affect french kissing. I can see how it could be a problem though. Hmmm, maybe I should ask my friend if she's got any trouble

I'm pretty sure that my overactive letdown was the cause of C's wind trouble and not attachment or anything. She seems to be handling my letdown a bit better, though she still needs to come up for air and chokes all the time, she's also bringing up her wind a lot better than during the 1st 2 weeks, so that's a big help too.

The rugby ball trick that pula suggested is a good one too tummum.