Sept 2024 - Thread 10!

[SpicyMoth]

Saw we hit page 40, so figured I'd get a head start on the next thread just in case!!

Oh gosh, I just thought, there may not be very many more of these threads - I wonder if this one may even be the last?!

HUGE congrats to @MudandMoet on their gorgeous wee one!!
Best of luck on your way home this afternoon/this evening, I'm desperate to ask all about what it was like but I'll avoid that as I don't want anyone to get nervous/anxious about what's to come!!

Super glad you're feeling mostly okay and so so SO happy for you! <3

Congrats @Lillers 🩷 enjoy your baby girl and baby bubble.

Update from me ........
Yesterday 11am - infant feeding team one on one at the hospital (finally after being ill!) they weighed (another loss) now at 13.8%...... assessed feeding and said she definitely isn't getting enough she's doing far too many sucks to swallows and is working herself so hard for little milk and exhausting herself.

Potentially a struggle with my milk supply due to breast surgery, but there is definitely milk there ( you can also see it around her chops after a "successful/ish" feed.

We got sent straight to children's ED...... Finally someone with a bit of urgency! The infant feeding team said a plan should have been in place by now!! I told them I actually feel really let down now as my HV and people who have been out to the house have just been saying "nothing wrong with that latch" and "just keep cluster feeding/keep feeding her!" I feel like my HV and some of the people that have been out to weigh just aren't experienced or confident enough with what they've been saying or advising either with the amount of issues we have had! Paediatrician checked her over and bloods done and everything ok, I've never been given a feeding plan until 9pm in ED yesterday when they finally let us home. She's now on formula top up every 3 hours and I'm still offering breast in between and i am going to pump every 3 hours (have a new hospital recommended one coming today!)

After all this stress and illnesses I can see already after just a few bottles that she is so much more content she even slept in her crib for an hour and a half! Finally 🤞 we are on the up thanks to some proper support!!!!

Hopefully no more upset/struggling/ranty posts from me, just check ins to let you know going forward that things are now improved 🥺🩷 also my mum and dad are on their way to Nottingham!! Xx

@sorchanim congrats on your baby! Enjoy it 🙂

We are halfway through week 6 and it has been a tough week - wanting to be on me all the time, won't go in the buggy etc. Yesterday was really tough, just wouldn't settle even in my arms. Today seems better, first nap he had 10 mins in the bassinet and then contact nap for rest and his second nap he is currently been asleep for nearly an hour kn bassinet. I had to peserve with him because I wasn't getting anything done and just grabbing junk food. Not sustainable in the long run even though I love his snuggles but it was getting to the point he wouldn't even be rolled in the buggy.

@TripleESept24 hopefully this is the start of getting on track, you've had a really rough time of it. It is really frustrating when they brush you off when you know there is something wrong. Terrible that you have to fight to be heard.

@FuppinNora we’ve just started week 6 and its been intense already. I know babies go through a growth spurt this week and feeding constantly, indie is very much feed me all the time, hold me all the time. So haven’t got anything done. She won’t let anyone else hold her either.

Wont take a dummy, won’t take a bottle. Just wants boob constantly. It’s got to the point where I was thinking am I making enough for her? I think I’ll get her weighed next week as she hasn’t been weighed since she was 3 weeks old

@FuppinNora @Emmaev my baby is 6 weeks and going through a phase of not loving his crib now plus colic at night We discovered he really loves the Dock-A-Tot and naps for hours in it. It's not a safe sleeping surface as it's soft so I have been putting him in it during the day so I can eat/get dressed/watch a film and it works. Doesn't work for night time but it gives me some peace. He didn't love it in the beginning but I think he's bigger now and it sort of hugs him nicely. Just something to try.

@TripleESept24 aahhh that's amazing news!! I'm so pleased to hear there has been some improvement and you've been heard. Here's hoping she continues to have some rest and in turn you get some peace and rest.
Also pleased to hear your parents are coming to visit, sounds like the support is coming at the right time.

@sorchanim congratulations 🥰 the sleep for us is hit and miss. Was shocking at the beginning. Then we had lots of 2-4hr stints! Last night was a bad one and she wouldn't sleep in her cot so I co slept as meant I could feed and sleep myself. Hang in there. It's bloody tough but we'll get there

@HuggingAnIcePack887 it's so hard. Mines 3 weeks now and seems way more unsettled.grumpy. Only settles on the boob! We also have a nest type thing and she seems to like that. I can get her to take a dummy in the car so she doesn't scream 😱

@Emmaev @HuggingAnIcePack887 he has slept most of today and now I'm scared about tonight 😂 can't win. It is a constant balancing act. I weigh myself on the scales in lbs and then pick him up and weigh myself again - gives me a guide anyway as to how much he is putting on. I've put him in a nest thing yesterday to sleep and it did work but like you I only used it while watching him. Today I put a fleecy blanket on him in pram and he seemed to really like it but then I was panicking he was overheating. 🤣

@WinsAndSam I remember the 3 weeks was tough going too- I think mums also runs out of steam a bit that week and hit a wall with sleep deprivation and emotions. Take care.

@FuppinNora yes I think you're right! The energy levels are less, it's becoming more normality, reality is setting in that this is going to last a long time. Plus baby is getting grizzly and having lots of tummy pain after feeding which is testing and really sad 😢

Anyone else feel at breaking point? Today I can't stop crying 😭 baby seems to be in pain evenings/nights. Has stopped napping during the day too. Previously fell asleep in the boob and now won't close her eyes. She's 3 and a half weeks now. First 2 weeks now feel like a breeze compared to this

Am getting out daily for a walk for my sanity

@WinsandSam im in the trenches with you gal!! The last few days my small lady won’t settle during the day, constantly cluster feeding. Which means I’m ignoring my 2yo while I sit under the baby for HOURS either feeding or contact napping. At least at night she’s taking to the cot again but the days are so hard I find. She’ll be 4w on Thursday and I just have to keep reminding myself it won’t last forever. Buying a side by side double buggy the weekend as I have to get out!!

Just to say same. I was googling “4 week post partum hormonal dip” didn’t fine anything but after reading your posts I have decided it must be a thing!

Has anyone got the wonder weeks book or app? I read the free stuff online with my first and it was nice to have something to frame the fussing. Mine has started smiling, making eye contact and talking, well a couple of coos!, since yesterday. I’m thinking about getting the app this time.

@WinsAndSam sing it sister, I remember that 3 week feeling, thought I had a handle on him weekn4 and 5 and I'm here now at 6 weeks feeling the exact same. I've tried all the tricks getting him down during the day - I'd like to eat my lunch with 2 hands for once. I'm started to get a bit frustrated with him because he is absolutely hanging with tiredness but won't sleep unless attached to my shoulder. Strangely doesn't need it in the night time. Like @PinkWatermelon88 I have to keep reminding myself it won't last forever. I'm just all touched out, just like they are over stimulated- I am too by being constantly needed. I've been using the sling but I don't want to get in the habit of that either.

I have a bit of anxiety around going out with him because he cries the minute the buggy or car stops and I end up getting stressed. My 1st DS was nothing like this from what I can remember.

@BakeOffRewatch haven't heard of that app but will look into it, it may give some insight. The smiling and cooing is just so cute and definitely melts the heart and helps with the stress times

Someone said to me the other day, consider it being your full time job and stop trying to do all other jobs, your job is to sit on the couch and cuddle. Not sure who puts the lunch on though.

I just went and had a look at leap 1, timed at 4 weeks! This thread is helpful to remind me to actually look at this stuff - I am definitely going around in a daze, thinking of things and then forgetting about them as soon as I sit down.

https://thewonderweeks.com/leaps/leap-1/

@PinkWatermelon88 is glad it isn't just me, but sucks that you're experiencing the same! Wish Ru would take the cot again. I just can't sleep well with her in the bed overnight. Worried I'll squash her. Previously she'd nap for hours a day and could be passed around to others so I could nap/get stuff done. Not any more. Just feeds for AGES. Cries all the time.

@BakeOffRewatch sorry to hear you're also suffering 😔 I googled things and it kept saying postnatal depression which i know it's not. Today's a particularly hard day but they're not all the same. These babies are tough work! I did download the wonder weeks app but didn't realise you had to pay so have never used it. May be worth it though!

@FuppinNora phew.. good to hear I'm not alone! Oh to eat a meal that isn't balancing on the sofa arm with one hard would be a dream. Also feel your frustration and then feel really guilty. Also feel overstimulated by the noise and all the touching. It's hard as I want to clean, tidy, cook etc but maybe you're right and I need to slow down.

Is anyone else's baby VERY VOCAL when going to the toilet/wind.. like grunting and crying?! It's a lot

Hmm I’m reading reviews of the app and people saying it’s not worth it. I’ll borrow the book from the library. Saw another app mentioned called “Baby Sparks” to provide meaningful play… I think her toddler sibling provides enough of that 🤣

I got wonder weeks with my first and truth be told it’s a load of rubbish! Kinda like horoscopes, they apply to everyone if you read them the way you want. It’s not backed by science either so all very airy fairy. I deleted it after a while

@WinsandSam i did a is it pnd quiz last night, I’m just feeling really insecure and lonely - even though I’m not. Nice to have the thread through these milestones, though I’m sorry we’re all feeling down.

yes my baby is very upset during burping and bowel movements. Poor things!

@BakeOffRewatch wasn't sure if it was "normal" as so hard to watch her in pain 😢

I also feel lonely and isolated despite having lots of people around me. My partner goes back to work on Friday too which scares me after 4 weeks being supported

Someone recommended the Huckleberry app to me for baby sleep but again it's not free

Have that one too @WinsandSam 😂 much prefer it!!! But it doesn’t “predict” - now I am on the free version so maybe the paid version does?! I track sleep and feeds and nappies and it’s great. I think to get proper sleep insights you can pay for the premium package x

Try napper for baby sleep - it is free for the most part and gives you a heads up when baby should feel sleepy again. That part is free. Look at the happycosleeper on instagram for safe sleeping positions. I don't co sleep but have slept with baby the odd time when needing rest.

Yes my DS is only going every 4 days which doesn't help with him being settled. I read it is because they havent learned how to actually connect their brain with going to the toilet and so when they push they are using their diaghphram which makes the noise/grunting.

DS has won out today I tried to get him down for each nap but I've just had to let him have a contact nap as he was getting too overtired.

Good to offload to you ladies thanks and sorry you are going through same but sounds like it is normal and does help that others are going through it.

I find the same friends, it’s all about solidarity in community and sharing the load. Very few of my friends remember what this stage is like, nor can I from my first and so I was starting to question everything and feel anxious. Knowing I’m not alone and other mama and babies ar efoing theough similar really helps xxx

My baby is only 10 days old but doing everything you've all mentioned! Fighting sleep during the day (but doing ok at night surprisingly), loads of fussing for a bit of wind, cluster feeding and no napping and making herself overtired... zzz! Wonder what we're in for at 3 weeks!

I’m totally there! I can’t get indie to sleep in her cot at night she can be in a deep sleep then as soon as she’s in her cot she’s so awake. So I’ve been co sleeping, she’s also getting fussy on my boob, and constantly eating. But I did read that babies have a big growth spurt at 6 weeks. She’s been cooing and smiling today though 😍

The last 2 days I’ve been baby wearing and omg, I’ve no idea why I didn’t do it before, indie sleeps so well and I’ve got some jobs done and had a hot drink. She’s only woke up to eat and she’s been guzzling then is flat out again for another 2 hours. Highly recommend a sling!

Browsed through the thread and it's timely today! Nice to know I'm not the only one going through the hormone rollercoaster.

Overall this postpartum has been way easier emotionally but today was a dumpster fire. Bit of a rant but baby was congested all night and barely slept, toddler woke up with a bad head cold and had to stay home from playschool - so I had to drag him to his brothers follow up paediatric appt. Had to pull in twice to feed the baby en route and then couldn't get parking at our maternity so had to drag both boys up from the car park down the road without a double buggy (recommendations welcome!!). Then had to stop for nappy changes and bathroom break on the way home in a local coffee shop where my toddler spilled his entire babycinno then had a major tantrum about going back in the buggy.

Currently dealing with a massive witching hour from my normally calm content baby and feel like crying with him. 😅 I know if I wasn't hormonal this would all be minor events but there's a big hormone drop weeks 4-6 that I'm feeling today. Looking forward to being out the other side of this bit!

Just popping in to say I'm right in there too 😅 little man is just over 4 weeks old and even though he's my 4th and I feel like I should know it all by now, I still question alot of stuff: is it normal for him to be so hungry so frequently (it is), is there something wrong with him because he seems to get so gassy and fussy (probably not), will he only ever settle when being held (he'll get used to being put down eventually) the list goes on it's like he's my first baby all over again 😂