Fraochsmum I think that's a fairly common ailment for new mums (the pins and needles). Like you I have also found the rugby hold useful for the less popular side... although when Aidan's being particularly uncooperative, it is easiest to feed him in that hold. It is weird coz the BF leaflets said that the rugby hold is good for women with big boobs, not flat-chested ones... but I put that to the reason why I cannot get comfy (3 pillows won't lend much to structural stability for a squirmy baby). I try to alternate between that and cradle hold in order to give my back a break.
somewhat Agreed re the comment re the non first time mums... considering how I am feeling at the moment (with mum having stayed for 10 days and now replaced by aunt to look after me and take turns with bubs), I think they deserve some kind of award.
mama2be5 Bleeding stopped around week 3 for me.
quirky SNAP! I managed to hand express 40ml this evening (mainly from the good side); been working for weeks to establish milk supply (also supplementing with formula) and finally been able to express more than 5ml which I am chaffed to bits about. Pumps are driving me up the wall... my Medela Harmony (? the hand operated one) seems to hurt me quite a bit and I am not convinced it works more efficiently than hand expressing. Not sure if the electric ones hurt more as money isn't the issue, I just want to know it will work on me fine before parting with the cash.
saz You don't really seem to have much luck with hospitals, do you? Thanks for posting your birth story and I am glad that you are on the mend and that lovely Sam is doing well too.
Newbeginning1 I had the problem with milk supply and advice given to me was to try fennel tea (seems to be the miracle cure since you can also use it for baby; not tried this one myself) but also been told to take 1 pint of full fat milk a day and was also recommended proteins esp in the form of fish. Can vouch that the fish certainly works, but together with constantly stimulation either from pumping or suckling.
londonl I cannot say that I have done a lot of research into this but my HV had a conversation with my aunt about this (who said to her both my kids slept on their fronts, as did my grandma's 10 kids and all turned out fine) and it seemed like her line of defence of that woman who did a comparative study with NZ and found some startling statistical difference in SIDS between the UK and NZ, only factor being sleep position. So my understanding is that the advice is based on this study? But yeah I hear you sister... we're currently settling Aidan in a rocker and will move him to the hammock when he is slightly older. He really does not like sleeping flat in his cot/ bassinet. Thanks for all your summaries btw, most helpful. I admire you being able to function normally and watch your TV shows and read books - I cannot even manage the 1!
I feel like a bit of a wimp being unable to cope with one little baby. Despite the help I am unable to come on online to post/ read up re anxieties re feeding. Consequently things are driving me mad and making the baby blues worse. DH was fab up till bubs was born and he went home on night 1 for food and some beers (I last ate breakfast inbetween contractions, so he left me with some cereal bars and rice crackers). He spent week 3 of Aidan's life out of the country on business which I am at his company about and will be away the next 2 weeks (as minimum, but more likely it will be this way for 6 months) too, only coming home late on a Friday evening and leaving Sunday evening. Is it me or AIBU? /rant over
I have been dipping in and out to read posts but this evening, we discovered that perhaps we might have a mouse in the house so am a bit sorta like FFS... sod the window of opportunity to sleep, I am going mad.
If anyone comes across an explanation for the chomping and pulling off, please let me know. It is not so much the chomping but the pulling off that is causing agony - is this nipple confusion (I gave in to formula supplementing from a bottle on Day 4).