April 2010 - our little bundles are here!

[lineky]

Thought I'd start a Post-Natal thread as there are so many of us now sorry about the uninspired name.
Well I am slowly realising the sleepless nights thing is no myth - VERY tired!

Jennysbean How old is your dd? My ds is 4 days and I have a blocked duct I think. I have tried to massage it when he is feeding but not sure if I'm doing it right. I did have mastitus with my ds (10 yrs ago) and remember feeling awful so I don't want this to develop into that. The MW will be around tomorrow so hopefully she will be able to advise.

In the meantime if anyone has any other tips then I would be grateful

Mistymoo you need to get your los chin at the blocked part. If it's at the top of your breast, lie don and lie him over your shoulder with his legs at your head. Sounds daft and you might need help, but works.

Hi to everyone else. I'm lurking but finding it difficult to get time to post.

Rumpleteaser... how are the headaches?

Do not want to alarm you, but please see a Dr as pre eclampsia can occur up to 6 weeks post delivery, and headaches are often the first symptom. It can occur even when the mum had no history, and is often misdiagnosed.

I have had headaches since Wednesday, and my BP is up. Also have visual disturbance, but no swelling.

My midwife said impossible after 7 days, but that is rubbish, and I told her so. She was shocked and embarrassed when my BP was up. I am now being monitored, and resting more as I really do not want to go back to hospital.

Billie is doing well - milk now in full swing, but she is feeding loads - big baby with big needs.

Anyone following Gina Ford Contented baby regime?

Hello all!! Actually getting the time to write...fingers crossed I can finish hehe...I'm pumping at the mo...soooooooooooo glad I invested in the electric one this time, it's heaps easier, though nowhere near as exciting as my 3 year old nephew thinks it is..he asked me if I was pumping my boob up!!!!! I wish!
I never realised breastfed babies could get colic or be sicky babies, but Jude's shown me otherwise! Every night since about day 3 he is really unsettled for about 2-4 hours from 6pmish...although fingers crossed the last 2 days have been noticeably calmer...I have taken it upon myself to confine myself to the sofa to have our cuddles...which secretly I love...once the cryings stopped obv!
Night time feeding is getting a whoile load better now too, last night he woke twice for his big feeds, and the second time was at 4, so his little 10 minute suckles after that were less often...just so that makes sense, he normally wakes twice, and then after the second feed, which is usually around 1.45-2.30am, he feeds quite often, but tiny little feeds right up until morning.
Hope everyones doing ok..we seem to be finally getting more done in the day...ish...but I'm still not managing to get out the house much...apart from visits to my mum's which is actually quite a lot!!

stinkypinky I went to the gp and my BP was also up slightly, going back next week for check, I've never had a prob with BP before so I was a bit shocked, I also have the visual disturbances too, like the start of a migraine and I have neck pain.
The GP said the headaches were caused by the neck pain from bending over the crib when I couldn't turn on my side because of c-section... I didn't know you could still get pre-eclampsia so I will make sure doc checks me thouroughly next week and I will rest, I'm not very good at resting!
I'm determined to get on that plane home!!

Mistymoo She is 11 days old but it started at 7 days old. Hope you have managed to clear your duct, hot flannels and showers work well as well as feeding loads. If you do start to feel ill don't delay though, get some anti biotics ASAP.
Dwayne I feel exactly the same as you , still recovering from mastitis and feeling and looking dreadful!
Romy has been hit by my anti biotics as well, fed her for a good long while yesterday and just I was loading her into the car seat for our first trip out up came the WHOLE lot as well as a tremendous nappyfull of hell.....poor wee thing....sigh
DH goes back to work on Tuesday and I am a bit anxious about coping with mammoth feeding /entertaining toddler DD, have been expressing milk as I think I will be giving at least one feed via bottle so that DD can be involved. Also have stocked up on sticker books and Disney DVD's ( secretly for me too- I cant watch any more Wiggles - I might go mad)
Rumple hope you are ok
xx

It is really surprising how many of us have been affected by high Blood Pressure post nataly - I neverknew it was such a common prob! I ended up back in hospital for a few days and am now on medication - which at first gave me chronic headaches which was a bit unfortunate as bad headaches were the first sign of my high blood pressure too. Meds are being reduced though. When I was in hospital the Dr turned on the way out and said "Oh you have a slight heart murmer (sp) too ask your GP to keep an eye on it" I was starting to think they were just taking the piss to be honest - Thought pregnancy and childbirth were supposed to be the most natural things in the world!!!

I really want to congratulate Zeeky, Flybynight and Bexybear on the other thread but it is full!!

Does anyone know where it has relocated to or could post a link?

The new thraed is called drip drop lil april showers part 2, but if you go to the old thread and click on boodstress name, you can find it on posts shes commented on.

Just popping by to say my lil man Jude can now smile and is gurgling away too..yippee!! I'm pleased cuz I've been feeling like he gets neglected by not being given as much one on one attention like dd1 got..with a toddler as well, there seems to be always something that needs doing, and usually at times when he is alert , so he doesn't get hours of nonstop chatting and cuddles...at least now I know he is coming along ok!! I'm sooo happy, he made all that non stop feeding last night worth it hehe x

Finally made it here! Posted birth story on the other thread.

George is nearly 4 days old. Midwife due today to weigh him which I am anxious about as he is not the best feeder in the world. I have to wake him for feeds and it takes a while to latch him on. Thought it would be easier with a big baby but not so far! Don't think milk has come in yet, so hoping things will improve then.

It's amazing how quickly you forget all the anxieties and frustration of being overdue & waiting!

Whoooo well done Zeeky George is such a top name - it was on our list for boys.

Hello all, not been on for a while as have had PILs staying for three days, I got very grumpy with DH as I didn't want to be cleaning and cooking and making up beds with a two and a half week old baby! But it was OK and back to just us again now.
Had the morning from hell though, went to the supermarkey and put Alexander in the trolley in his car seat, then had to constantly tell DD to stay with me all the way round, anyway got the shopping done at last (after DD announcing just as we got to the checkout that she needed a wee and haring to the other end of the shop...). I put her in the car first, leaving Alex in the trolley, then put him in, then went to open the boot, back to the trolley - which in the meantime had rolled off the pavement, into my car door, and tipped over leaving my shopping all over the carpark! So glad that Alex wasn't in it. I had checked the brake carefully, I don't know what happened. S I had to put the trolley back on its wheels and pick my shopping up in tears whilst cursing at useless shopping trolley brakes. There is a big dent in my car door . Am using online shopping fom now on...

Poor you Bettymum, what a bad day. Hope you are feeling OK now.

Just thought I'd let you know of a tip I got from my midwife to unblock milk ducts. Comb you boob! Using a rounded wide toothed comb and brushing toward your nipple. I had my doubts but I did this as I started with mastitis (fortunately it was caught early so didn't feel too ill) and it worked! You do look a bit strange sitting combing your boob but hey it works so who cares

Oh bettysmum , sounds awful! Not looking forward to doing the supermarket shop with 2 in tow. It's a real battle to get DS to sit in trolley & he inevitably needs a wee as soon as we get to the far end of the shop or at the checkout. Did you have to take Alexander into the toilet with you as well - I guess you have to really.

George was weighed today and not dropped too much weight since birth - down to 9lb 14oz, which sounds ridiculous. Milk has arrived today & feeling rather uncomfortably full. Didn't really notice it last time as DS fed so often I think he was just constantly emptying my breasts. I have to wake George for every feed and keep poking him to encourage him to keep feeding otherwise he just goes straight back to sleep

Just as the discomfort of the stitches is start to go and my nether regions start to feel a bit more normal, my boobs go mad instead!! On the plus side, I managed my first bowel movement earlier since the birth & wasn't as traumatic or painful as I remember it being after stitches with DS1

Zeeky - yes I did have to take Alexander in as well, I was wedged in a tiny cubicle with the car seat in the doorway and DD on the loo .
I also had mad boob pain and engorgement this time, and not last time. Seriously, I could have given Jordan a run for her money. I found that a hot bath helped, I lay there with flannels over my boobs for 20 minutes or so and kept dipping them in the water to keep them warm (the flannels, not my boobs). It really helped. I was sore for a couple of days but then it all settled down thank goodness.
Off to health visitor this afternoon to get Alexander weighed, and she's going to do DD's 2-year review as well. I'm fairly sure Alexander's putting weight on well as he looks huuuuuge already!

Just checking in... feeding ok, but baby Zev doing hundreds of poos a day (well maybe only around 20) and now has horrible nappy rash.

Went to GP and got some timodene, and using bepanthen & metanium too (its like paint) and I check his nappy continuously when he is awake plus of course change it when he's awake in the night. Have bought different nappies (someone suggested pampers not good for nappy rash so bought huggies and also cheap supermarket ones for when he is awake as then each one lasts maybe 20 mins before he poos again. When he is going to have a sleep I cover area with thick layer of metanium. Not really sure what else I can do.... don't really want to stop BFing as its going well otherwise. Am trying to avoid citrus/tomatoes etc etc to see if that makes a difference.

Hi there

Posted birth story on the ante-natal thread. Flora is on her 5th day now, and life is starting to feel a bit more normal. In a an enormous-panted, agonising nipple kind of a way.

Flora's skin is flaking off - she looks like she is wearing a santa beard sometimes. And the skin underneath looks rather red and uncomfortable. Poor thing. I'm reluctant to cover her in Sudocrem or similar though - it looks unattractive enough as it is. A bit of plain oil will have to do for now.

Anyway, had better press on as it will soon be time to pick up the other three from school. Flora is making her school debut so there will much hysteria. Santa beard or not.

I'm impressed with how quickly you are getting back to normal routines flybynight, but I guess you have to with 3 other lo's to consider. I'm finding the adjustment to having 2 harder than I thought. DS1 is so used to having me do everything with him but at the moment I'm really struggling with doing stuff with him after only an or two sleep the night before! He was sobbing this morning that he didn't want to go to nursery, which had me in a similar state. The nursery then called late morning asking if we could collect him early as he had been crying most of the morning. Makes me feel awful as half of me is desperate to keep him home with me where he is happy, while the other half of me can't wait for a morning of quiet to catch up with rest! I'm hoping we will all adjust to our new family over the next few days. DH is being great with DS, taking him out places and thinking up fun things for them to do so that I can get some rest, but I'm still finding it difficult.

mumnwlondon that metanium works wonders, i had it when ds had blisters on his bum from diarrhea and it cleared them up really quickly. watch you dont get it on your clothes though as it stains.

Kacie is 5 weeks today and still not smiling . should i be worried? she doesnt really make eye contact with you either.
on the plus side she's only waking twice in the night now and seems to be pretty much in a routine.
she also still has milk spots on her face which have been there since birth. im sure they should have gone by now.

nicnac DD started smiling at about 6 weeks I think, so 5 weeks is still early. I'm sure you'll get lots of smiles soon .
Zeeky I had the opposite to you regarding nursery - DD now down to 2 days a week, she was in yesterday and was really excited "I see all my friends!" so then I felt bad for taking her out of nursery. I had to go and get her early for the health visitor, she'd been woken up from her nap and couldn't understand why I was there so early, so wasn't very with it when we got to the HV who said, Oh well doesn't matter she'll get invited to a group session later. I was a bit cross to have dragged her away for nothing.
flybynight try rubbing olive oil into Flora's skin and then giving her a nice warm bath, that seems to have done the trick with Alexander's flaky bits . Was she a hit at school??!

Going to take a deep breath before I start this one, as I know what an emotive subject it is...........but is anybody combine feeding and expressing their breastmilk? I've (sadly) gone down the same path as with DS and am not feeding DD myself, but giving her expressed b.milk from a bottle as well as formula. Its a massive bind as i'm hand pumping and am also a slave to the sink and steriliser!
Now my nipples have healed up from the cracks and bloodiness, I want to try again. She's been on bottles for 6 days now and is fine, but I can't help feeling that I should have another crack at it (Oooo don't want to think about cracks!

adelaidejo, why not give it a go? Have you tried speaking to a breastfeeding counsellor or attending a bf clinic locally. They will be able to advise you on how to go about reintroducing bf and help with any latching on problems. Good luck!

Zeeky i did chat to the HV yesterday - the trouble is, as with DS, on the first 1st, 2nd, 3rd days etc, I can't tell wrong attachment because there isn't any damage to the nipple as bf'ing is so new (and it doesn't hurt when sucking so I assume its right). Then by about day 4 the pain really sets in and I realise I haven't had the latch correct. I actually think (and in my experience) the whole bf'ing 'stuff' is actually the hardest part of both my pregnancies and births!

flybynight - cover her in olive oil - or i bought some organic baby oil in boots, blend of a few different oils, Zev is also peeling away...

*adelaidejo8 - def speak to breastfeeding counsellor for advise and to check positioning.

Also, does anyone know how long HV typical takes to contact you. I haven't heard and have no idea where to go to get him weighed... (have moved since having older DC) its now been a week since discharged from midwife.