Late October - thread 6

[DressingGown87]

Thread 6 ladies! And the final one

Girls: @DressingGown87 @Jaffas22 @DogCatDex @EmmaA96 (twins) @Parks11 @LadyB90 @Strawberries4days @LST87 @sls668 @plentyofplants Uppsydaisy (Girl twin)

Boys: @sunbreak @FirstSurprise001 @WaveStreet @roarfeckingroar
@Mc3209 @KitKatKit @1990shopefulftm @Lolllyf @HelenMarie1001 @Freddie1987 @BS9790 @hmeadow24 @Ghostworld @roarfeckingroarr @Glooorb @mamavee @UpsyDaisy1234 (Boy twin) @Samk93

Surprise / Waiting
@60sPony @Monkeyseesmonkeydoesnt @AdventureAhead @Elizag20 @justtb @Clalou83 @SJR86 @Flora20 @Watersintheclouds @Jaffas22 @justtb

If I have missed you! Sorry! I did quickly scan through the start of the last thread, to add people and update the list, but only did this quick.

@FirstSurprise001 glad to hear the water helped, ill save that for future ref too and I've reduced the amount of infacol use in case the same happens to us with constipation...

@Ghostworld we're having same issue. I actually love having baby boy so close but also want my bed back 😄 Have you tried day time naps in the crib? I successfully got him down for a 2 hour nap in it today by using my dressing gown as a blanket and laying on the bed right next to him as I put him down when he was nearly in a deep sleep. I think it tricked him into thinking we were in the bed together, then when he woke up and realised he was in the crib I made lots of happy noises praising him and lots of kisses and cuddles to create that positive connection.

Even if they go down in it for ten mins at a time you could try that first during the day when you're not as knackered or desperate to just go to sleep? Then you can increase the time at night hopefully- that's our plan anyway!!

Sorry iv not been on here for a while. Hope everyone & their little ones are okay!

Struggling here. Suspected cows milk protein allergy. Been going on for weeks and I literally can’t take no more. Nothing is working and I don’t know what to do. All my baby does is scream when she is awake, all day and all night. She’s in constant pain with her tummy. Her reflux is bad she’s on carobel thickener to try keep her milk down but she’s still been sick. Her nappies go from really bad constipation to diarrhoea in the space of a day. I honestly don’t know what to do but I feel so helpless it’s breaking my heart. Anybody going through the same or has any advice?

@Jaffas22 can you get a pediatrician or dietician referral if you re not getting anywhere with the GP?

@Jaffas22 sorry to hear your going though a tough time. Paige is the same, I wasn’t getting anywhere with the health visitor, but called my GP and they initially told me to try something for her reflux, which I did for 5 days and it didn’t work, so they trailed the hydrolysed formula. She’s been on that now 4/5weeks and I have seen a huge improvement, her screaming (that piercing pain scream) has reduced, and when she settles she sleeps well. But she is still covered in a rash and not 100% so GP did a referral for a peadiatric appointment, which we are still waiting for.
Have you spoken with your GP? I would try and explain that she is displaying symptoms of CMPA and you would like to trial 2-4 weeks of hydrolysed formula to see if there is an improvement or are your breastfeeding? Try and keep a diary of what she is like, nappies, feeds, and possibly a video of her in pain, to show them, photo of any unusual nappies. I could see a pattern in Paiges pain and nappies, with her feeds, and it was delayed. Reflux and CMPA usually go hand in hand too. I was lucky with my GP as he was ex pediatric but also has a son who is CMPA so he could understand. But if your struggling with yours, speak to the HV or infant feeding team, and they could do a care plan for you to approach the GP with. Know that your doing everything you can possibly do for her, and just keep giving her cuddles. Hopefully you can find a solution soon, and see a difference. We are still going though it, but if you need to know anything just ask. Big hugs!

Hello! I haven't been on for ages but having caught up with the general vibes it sounds like everyone is experiencing similar issues. I'm also sick of blood loss and have resorted to buying cloth reusable ones to avoid all the chaffing. It's too much for a party liner but way too much for a maternity pad. Getting something suitable in between is pretty hit and miss. Gap in the market there I think!

Mine also noisy at night. It's always the same with newborns! I call her my goatling and love when I hear her straining for ages and then do a nice big satisfying trump!! Haha!!

The angry unlatch is sometimes tiredness and sometimes tummy ache I think.

Learning about 4th trimester really chilled me out and also understanding that 1 hour 30 mins max is enough awake time for a 4 week old helped too.

Also learnt a great tip from my sister. Rather than using a baby bath or seat, just put a few cm of water in the bath and let them lie down. So much easier for them to enjoy wriggling about and much easier to clean bottoms. Mine loves it. If I do use her seat and do it deeper I support her in my hands and let her float about which she loves.

It's a strange time as they're so cute but such hard work and easy to miss the cute moments as we're so fraught with anxiety and tiredness.

For me not having visitors because of lockdown is a godsend and it stops me having FOMO as well!

My partner went back to sea two weeks ago when LO was 3 weeks. Much easier having the bed to myself and not worrying about someone else. My son (8) is in love with his sister!

Lots of love to you all and your beautiful babies xx

@GhostWorld try to start moving the baby away from you a fraction at a time. I got my baby to sleep next to me in my arms rather than on me then next to me without being hugged, then put her in next to me but made sure it was as close as possible to me, sometimes holding her hand. I also use arms up swaddle, tight sheet over the top to help her feel secure and white noise which helps us both sleep!! Just change one tiny thing at a time but remember how tiny they are. None of this will last for long - even a week is a huge percentage of their lives and a lot can change very quickly.

@FirstSurprise001

I am so unbelievably exhausted today. For 3 days straight Finley hasn’t slept in the day - 3 whole days. I feed him, he drops off, I put him down in his rocker/the sofa/my bed/his next to me crib and he’s instantly wide awake. He’s living on my boob and crying constantly when he’s not in someone’s arms. I thought it was constipation, then colic, then someone said reflux.

He’s straightening his back out constantly and only seems happy when I’m rubbing his belly. He’s still wide awake now and doesn’t look to be sleeping any time soon. 😩

Someone tell me this will end soon!?

I think it's totally normal for them not to want to be put down! A sling or wrap would help if you need to get on whilst they sleep or if you need to sleep just lie down and have them on your chest. It won't last forever. If you do try in crib remember to give them 15 mins in your arms before you do because it takes that long for them to get into a deep sleep. White noise and a swaddle would also help. They do like the darkness too if that's possible.

@SamK93

Ladies I'm just looking for a bit of support I just feel terrible and soo guilty that I've stopped breastfeeding. My plan was too formula feed during day because of his reflux I put him on to aptamil anti reflux but I wanted to continue breastfeeding here and there and at night. I managed fine for a couple of days but the other night he kept vomiting all night after having my milk but I wanted to carry on, as I had not breastfed during day for a couple of days I noticed last night my breasts felt empty so I gave him formula for his night feeds. Today I feel theyre totally empty and have significantly shrunk, I just feel soo rubbish, I thought I could have carried on. I just have this horrible pang of guilt 😢

I would say that making a decision which is very hard for you but doing the best for your baby shows incredibly deep love for them. You should recognise the strength it's taken to make that decision and that it makes you a better parent. You can feel sad and I understand why but guilt is not needed xxx

Hey girls! Hope you’re all okay and having a good start to the week!

I’m not sure if this has been covered already but what are peoples thoughts/ experiences on dummy’s?

Absolutely nothing against anyone using them, I’ve just always thought that when I had a baby, I definitely didn’t want them to have one. I don’t know if it’s watching my little brother always have one in his mouth when he was young or that I’d thought of it as a last resort so we never bought one.

My DP went back to work on Wednesday after 6 weeks off and although it was a struggle to adapt with only one pair of hands, and zoning out the crying when I was busy doing something, me and Finley have been fine. He’s been off work today and therefore more hands on with the baby, which I think has thrown Finn a bit. If I’m not holding him, and my DP has him, he’s screamed for me. Then he’ll only settle with me after if I put him on the boob. It’s definitely a comfort thing and I think DP is feeling a bit pushed out so suggested a dummy so that I can actually have some time out.

A bit long winded I know but I just don’t really feel like I should introduce one simply for a couple of times a day where I might have a bath or go for a run? He’s fine going to sleep at night and in the day so feel like it might start issues from there.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Xx

@FirstSurprise001 we’ve used a dummy from birth but she won’t really take it for me, mainly because she just uses the boob as comfort! It works well to settle her to sleep for other people though. I’m not a Fan of them for older children but if it provides comfort when they’re little and works then go for it!

@firstSurprise001 I was the same had planned not to give a dummy but then baby came and cried and cried sometimes so I gave him a dummy and tbh it's one of the best things we done it calms him down almost instantly. he needs it to go to sleep at night but then spits it out when hes settled.

@FirstSurprise001 mine only takes it when I want to put him down for a nap during day, or after he's had a bath or if he's a bit unsettled. He didn't to take to any dummies until my mum bought me the tomee tipee breast like soothers he took to it straight away, he spits it out once he's calm or fell asleep and doesn't keep it in all the time. They are amazing!! I'll leave the link below

Tommee Tippee Breast Like Soothers, 0 - 6 Months https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LGYCG8W/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_aZNZFbJMMRBAG

@SamK93 thank you for the link! I’ve just read the reviews and seen the part about them pushing the tongue up just like breastfeeding which seems good! I always worried that it would end up ruining BF!

@krissy12 @Sls668 glad I’m not the only one in this boat! I guess it would just be trial and error with if it works!

I’m still not 100% that he’s not suffering from some sort of reflux or something which is making him unsettled in the evening too. This evening he’ll only calm down if I’m rubbing his belly and it’s heartbreaking to watch him cry!

@FirstSurprise001 I didn’t really want to use one either, but ended up doing. It helped calmed Paige down, and soothed her to sleep. I think sucking on something also helps her reflux sometimes. At night she will go to sleep with it in, but once in a deep sleep it drops out and she doesn’t wake for it, but the last few nights she’s gone to sleep without it. Only pain is when she has it in the car, and drops it. We have the NUK ones, and they are the only ones she likes. I think at this age, we have plenty of time to wean them off them.

@FirstSurprise001 we ve used a dummy from a few days old. hes had constipation and bad wind so sometimes he ll suck on his milk bottle for comfort but not take any in and dribble it up so when he starts doing that we offer the dummy. He's had oral thrush this week but fortunately our gp is great so they prescribed him what he needs without seeing us, so that's making him extra grumpy.

he spits it out when he's calmed down so not worried about weaning him off it when it comes to it.

Does anyone know if GPS weigh baby's at the 6/8 week check? Health visitor will only come in person for theirs if there's a serious concern and I m not sure how accurate me holding him on the scales with me is, as I recon he's now around 99th percentile from the 98th which isn't much of a jump, he's 13lb already so wonder if I should keep an eye on it.

@1990shopefulftm I had the baby check a couple of weeks ago GP didn't weigh Noah, he just went according to health visitors weight checks she had done previously. Im sure they always could if your concerned.

@SamK93 I ll see how he gets on, he's only slightly over his birth percentile looking at the chart. He's going to be in 3-6 months clothes at 6 weeks old at this rate.

@FirstSuprise001 I was the same as you and was convinced giving a dummy would ruin BF but its been a god send and I agree it seems to ho settle reflux symptoms at night. I think as long as you're really clear with when you want to use one and not just use it as a crutch to make baby quiet every time they're unsettled then you will be fine weaning them off it. If anything, I think the sucking practice helps them BF better, my boy seems to be latching better now that he's having the dummy at night. Its a bit trial and error with teats but we've found the Mam newborn ones the best, just keep gently offering it until they learn how to suck on it because at first you think they hate it when they pull a load of yuck faces and keep spitting it out.

Noah had his 8 weeks immunisations today at 8weeks & 6 days. He was supposed to have them last week but the appointment got cancelled. Anyway I don't remember my other two being like this but he's crying constantly unless he's on me, as soon as I put him down he's crying again. It's not his normal cry either it's a lot more screaming involved. He just wants to sleep on my chest, he's so very clingy, I've been giving calpol like advised but I can see I'm in for a long night. Then we have to do it all over again in 4 weeks time!

@SamK93 hope you guys made it through the night with some sleep and Noah is feeling better today. I remember my first son was the same after his first jabs and the second lot were much less upsetting for him. Hope the same for you guys

hi ladies hope you are all getting on okay. just wanted to check how much your little ones are sleeping. lewis has been much more alert and is normally awake for a good few hours at a time. but today he has literally been sleeping all day apart from when I have woke him up for a bottle and he has gone straight back down. if I try to keep him awake he just cries.does this sound normal? his temperature is fine, he is taking his bottles and has had plenty of wet nappies.

@krissy12

My little one has been the same today and yesterday. How old is he? Maybe they are having a growth spurt?

he was 6 weeks yesterday

@SamK93 Hope Noah is feeling better.

@krissy12 Paige has days where she will seem to sleep constantly, but this was more around 5/6 weeks. It’s when they go through their first development leap, so have a spurt. So hopefully Its that.

Paige has her injections this morning, she hasn’t fed since, just refusing the bottle and not wanting to do anything but sleep or grumble. Feel so sorry for her 😢