Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 ··· 7 8 9 10 11 12

Original poster

Help! Mucus plug just gone, pain down there - is it time?!

292 replies

Noodles81 · 10/02/2012 21:02

Hi guys,

I was due yesterday and had a sweep yesterday. Woke up this morning from pains in my lower back which then transferred to pain in the front, they were coming every half hr.

Just went to the loo now and my mucus plug has gone - it was flegm like and browny/redy in colour. The pains have also come back they happen every so often maybe half an hr.

Does this mean labour is imminent? What shall i do? Friend said now is the time to have sex to get it all going - isn't it dangerous to have sex if the plug has gone?

I'm so nervous!!!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 22:53

It's the fact that he goes bright red in the face, brings his legs into his tummy and clenches his toes...
you reckon i shud just go for a feed everytime he cries?

OP posts:

Chubfuddler · 19/02/2012 22:56

With both of my babies I just offered them a boob whenever they were awake as newborns. And if they bobbed off I would wind them and then offer the other one. At this stage you're establishing supply and both trying to get the hang of the mechanics so just feed, feed, feed. Forces you to rest too which can only be good.

Congratulations btw.

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 22:59

ALso forgot to say that i do feed him when he cries but it's the fact that when he's had enough he will cry again and for no reason then he shows the signs i told you about.

Does Infacol really work?

OP posts:

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 22:59

I'll try that Chub, thank you :)

OP posts:

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 23:00

But at what point do you then stop the feeding?!

OP posts:

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/02/2012 23:01

When he's had enough do you offer the other side? (even if that was the one he started with?)

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 23:03

No i don't i just assume he's done coz he pops it out.

OP posts:

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/02/2012 23:04

Well you don't really.

Whenever you can you offer one side, then when he slows/cones off you offer the next, then when he slows/comes off you offer the first again and so on until he is either asleep or refusing. Then you have a break of an unspecified amount of time and you start again trying to feed BEFORE he cries for it.

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/02/2012 23:06

Well have a go and see if it works and if not we'll come up with something else.

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 23:08

I wil try that now. I think the other problem is that he appears to be asleep on my boob, when i rub his cheeks he doesn't react and so i try to put him in the basket and he will wake up and then the crying starts.
He will happily stay alseep on me or on my boob but as soon as i move him he starts and so does the symptoms i said

Also - do i wind him every single time after a feed even if he does appear asleep? Because if i was to do that he would wake up and the probs start...rather than let him sleep straight away. If he would!

OP posts:

Napdamnyou · 19/02/2012 23:09

Hooray and well done! Welcome Leo!

My baby had colic and reflux so I sympathise, it's harrowing. Wearing him in a wrap sling and keeping him upright after feeding helped and making sure he burped, do you know how to burp him? Nobody showed me for ages...

Also they feed more than you would ever think possible, so if in doubt, offer boob, burp, offer boob, cuddle, burp, walk about, sing, sway, and eat lots of toast! He's only just come out so connecting to you and snuggling and feeling your familiar heartbeat and smell is the only thing he really wants right now.

Big hug (not very mums net but hey)

Napdamnyou · 19/02/2012 23:13

He may not be very keen on his basket and prefer to sleep with you. That's ok, just look up the guidelines for safe cosleeping. You can also try to line the basket with rolled up towels like bolsters so it feels smaller and snuffly, put an old t shirt that smells of you on as a sheet and warm it with a hot water bottle or rice pack before you put him in - some babies hate cold sheets. Obviously take the hot watr bottle out before he goes in.

You can also try swaddling. And tilting the basket so he sleeping with his head higher than his toes - use a phone directory or similar. Helps milk stay down better.

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 23:14

Napda you are so sweet and lovely thank you. I will try feeding a lot more from now and see if that happens. THough i am so tired, exhausted, shattered all the above and i am the only supplier so hubbie can't do anything argh!!!!

I just feel so nervous now everytime i hear him stir when he is asleep i think oh no please please dont wake up and cry what do i do. It's horrible i just want to enjoy him all the time.

Got you hug - hugs back thank you. x

OP posts:

Napdamnyou · 19/02/2012 23:14

Snuggly not snuffly, sorry, damn autocorrect!

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/02/2012 23:16

If he falls asleep just switch him to the other side. The new breast will have faster flowing milk and get him sucking again tiring him even more and increasing your chance of puting him down.

Winding doesn't have you be active. You can just lie his sleepy body overt your fore arm and any wind will eventually leave. Many countries don't understand our obsession with winding.

PestoPenguin · 19/02/2012 23:17

Try breast compression to keep him feeding actively if he's sleepy. If he nods off it might be worth waking him up (e.g. by removing clothes, ticking feet, changing nappy) and then offering again, or offering the other side.

He's only 4 days old today, so your milk will be changing soon, as it increases in volume. Is he doing any poos or wees? If so how often, what colour and are the poos bigger than a £2 coin?

Also, post on the breast and bottle feeding forum. You will get lots of good help there.

The National Breastfeeding Helpline is also good for any of these little (or bigger) worries. They're open 9.30am-9.30pm every single day. Tel: 0300 100 0212.

Colic is v v unlikely in a baby this young. Lots of newborns don't like being put down even if they're asleep. He's been snuggled up inside you his whole life. You're all he knows and he's used to being in physical contact with a real person at all times. It is natural that he wants to be held and not put down yet. It'susually a transitional thing and gets better with time, but at only a few days old it's quite normal.

Keep going, it's hard at first, but you're doing a great job .

Napdamnyou · 19/02/2012 23:18

You are doing great. Get DH to bring you drinks and snacks and remember men are great at holding and carrying cross crying babies in slings - they seem to like the rumbly voices and warm chests, so you can get a break!

It's a wonderful, shattering world turning time, so just go with the flow. You are his mummy and for him, the best thing ever, so just remember you are enough and always will be. He's crying because he's only tiny but he already loves you. Even if he is red in the face and cross.

PestoPenguin · 19/02/2012 23:20

Winding is generally not necessary for breastfed babies.

Can you watch for when he's stirring and try to pick him up and feed him before he starts crying properly? Crying is a late hunger cue, more info here. Basically at this age, if they're awake or doing anything, they probably want a boob . It wont always be this intense.

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 23:20

I also have VERY painful nipples where they are red and sore and have been bitten very badly by him. When i gave birth all i knew was that i wanted to breastfeed, but when he was born no0-one came to see if i was doing it right or offer advice. I just went with what i read and the pictures i saw not knowing the whole time that he wasn't latching correctly at all and was biting me the whole time and also therefore not getting the amount he should have been getting.

I have some cream for it and i am fighting through the pain. Everytime he comes to me i want to scream in pain and sometimes a tear comes out becuase it really is that bad. Luckily today, the community midwife came to see me and showed me how to do it and success, while of course it still hurts while my nipples are recovering, i don't feel like someone is using a cheese grater on my nipples non stop.
I wish women would get more support in the hospital - the MW was very surprised no one came to see me or talk to me about it.

Please tell me they do get better?!

OP posts:

PestoPenguin · 19/02/2012 23:23

Bedsharing leaflet (explains how to do it safely when breastfeeding)

PestoPenguin · 19/02/2012 23:25

Ouch! That sounds v sore . Nipples heal quite quickly once the baby gets themselves in the right position (with your help). I'm so glad your midwife was able to help, but sorry to hear there wasn't better support in hospital. The breastfeeding helpline (number in my post above) can provide support with this over the phone too, so do give them a call in the morning if you're still sore. Cream is really only needed in a tiny smear if you have an actual crack.

Original poster

Noodles81 · 19/02/2012 23:26

Thank you all of you, i don't know where i would be without this forum and your support. You've already made me feel so much more positive and i have some great tips i'm going to try tonight.

With regards to poo and wee - poo was good he had a big one yesterday but nothing as yet today. Wee - the MW was a lil puzzled about as he hasn't done a wee since 6pm last night that in itself worries the heck out of me that something is wrong. She said he isn't dehydrated and isn't worried too much as she knows he is feeding so she and the pediatrician aren't concerned about it and as saw me feeding him correctly she was ok with that. It worries the heck outta me though.

This being a parent is very stressful and hard work ey.

OP posts:

PestoPenguin · 19/02/2012 23:28

Helpful short video clips of babies latching well and feeding in not such good positions with explanations of what to look for.

Sometimes even tiny tiny changes can make a big difference to how comfortable it is for you and how well the baby takes milk. It's not unusual for it to take a bit of practice for you both, but once you've cracked it you'll be well away .

PestoPenguin · 19/02/2012 23:33

Good to hear that he did a big poo . At this stage the colour and quantity of it becomes quite an important guage of how much milk is going in. Sometime v soon now they should turn a yellow/orangey colour (page 17 of this leaflet has a colour guide!). There is often little wee in the first few days and it's difficult to spot in modern nappies because they're so absorbent. Initially the milk is thick sticky colostrum only and babies only take a tiny amount at a time (5ml ish). any time from around day 4 your breasts might start to feel fuller, possibly leak a little and if you squeeze a drop out the milk will become paler whitish colour and thinner. This is called your milk "coming in" and after this Leo will get more liquid at each feed and do bigger wees .

PestoPenguin · 19/02/2012 23:33

Sorry, I've probably bombarded you with info .

I hope you have an OK night and get some sleep at some point.

Flip

1 2 ··· 7 8 9 10 11 12