Any Mums recently home with a prem?

[FraggleRock77]

We are into our fourth day now and it's tough but so worth it. How are other people coping? Have you managed to keep all the visitors away? Xx

Has he calmed down Fraggle? Perhaps he is having a growth spurt?

Hey Plenty, no DS is getting to be really difficult to feed. He will settle for five minutes on the breast and then he starts pooping from the feeding reflux and won't settle back due to wriggling and getting upset! Then he has worn himself out crying and getting upset! Weight gained has slooooowed right down x

Sorry to hear that. My ds had reflux complete nightmare to feed! Have you tried infacol before feeding?

We've just started to give him infacol. How long did it take your DS to grow out of it? It's also making me even more nervous about taking him out. How do you feed a baby who keeps vomiting, screaming, along with trying to juggle a nipple shield in public! Really stressful

Try not to stress which is easier said than done. My ds is five now and survived it!
He was bottled fed and due to the constant vomits after feeding his weight went off the charts so he was put on nutriprem milk which has extra cals in.
I had no support from hospital or hv so give them a call tomorrow if he doesn't improve. I guess because they are prem we worry more about weight.
The infacol settled dd so it seems to work but there are a few others to try.

Also we did not go out loads just to friends houses and he fed every three hours so ventured out between feeds. It took a while to improve but again i got no advice to help us at the time. Keep pushing them if you are still worried.

PlentyOf, it's sounds like you were really left in the lurch, how awful. Thank you for the feed back. Going to see how the infacol goes for a week xx

Hopefully that will calm him down

Has anyone been through the guilt of no longer wanting to BF. I've been expressing/BF for nearly 3 months now. BF/bottle are a daily battle. DS won't settle at the breast and is lazy so now I'm expressing to offer a mixed feed of Bmilk and formula. DH always questions me when i talk about stopping and doesn't appear to understand all the current self worth wrapped up in it! e.g. Couldn't keep baby in, couldn't latch so needed shield, won't settle at breast for long!

hi you have done so well to get to three months, especially with a prem! You feel extra guilty about everything sometimes when they come early. I know breast feeding is best but for me I really could not do it and accepting this and giving him a bottle was the right thing to do.
Due to all the stress and guilt over not being able to do it with ds, this time dd had the bottle straight away I could not put myself through it again.
I feel ds and dh have a closer bond as dh could got involved more. I can go to see a film with friends which did me the world of good.
It will not kill him Your dh needs to be told the decision is up to you. How is his weight gain?

Thanks Plenty, feeling pretty down about it all, not depressed though. He gained 10oz this wk. Exhausted and not slept for two days as he feeds every two hours and spends a lot of time crying while opening his bowels. I don't think DH understands the pressure to BF even though i tell him.

Its hard, we keep having arguments about sleep. They do not understand about the pressure you are undr, not fully anyway. You need to do what is best and you cannot carry on with such little sleep. Thats a great weight gain I guess I am positive about bottle feeding. Baby will be fine but you need to be well and not let it tip over into depression.

Sorry about spelling I'm so tired!

Thanks Plenty. Praying you get some sleep very soon xxx

I didn't realise how much pressure having a baby can put on your relationship. We are such a strong and close couple. I miss my DH and how we used to be. I'm hoping it gets better or just different from now? X

It does change things and we don't really have any childcare so time alone is limited. You grow as a family though. One day they go to nursery/school and you get loads of time!
Dh is in the spare room now as he works shifts so rather strange for us too.

Sorry, to hear you're having trouble feeding Fraggle, you have no reason to feel guilty it's such a stressful situation and the demand on mother's breastfeed is ridiculous. The weight gain though is great and I think you're doing an amazing job :)

Have you thought about taking a step back from bf? Of course, still express so you have your supply but give yourself and him a break from the frustration. Or maybe bf morning & night, and then bottles between? May help.

Thanks MMama. I took a step back and used more formula and expressed but DS is now onto 48 hours without pooping and very unsettled. BF again as much as he will take.
All my worries seem insignificant to your situation. I've started to take it all in good humour and realised that everyday will just be different. Xx

A mother's concern and worry for her baby will never be insignificant no matter how small or big the situation is.

I know this is going to sound really strange and weird but have you tried using a cotton ear bud covered with petroleum jelly and then carefully insert it into the rectum, sometimes the muscles just need stimulating (this was suggested by our Dr!). It worked a treat for K when he was a baby - he pooped a storm after that. Also, it's normal for some baby's not to poop daily, some can go 3-4 days without pooping. So don't worry too much :) Also, pushing his legs up to his chests helps too if you're up for giving anything a go haha.

It's also normal for BF & formula fed babies to go upto 7 days without #2s x

Thanks MM, all advice welcome. I've been googling ideas and have tried running PJelly on his anus. He normally poops 3/4x daily. I will let my DH try the cotton bud technique. Tried cooled boiled water today and will also try orange juice (NICU advice tomorrow) if still no poop. Started using HIPP milk top ups so think he has just got bunged up x

Bless his little soul. Nothing worse than being bunged up especially if it's unsettling him. It be worth checking with NICU if he's okay to have some Gripe water. Some say that works too.

We gave K a bath once after some prune juice... bad idea who knew bath water could turn that colour! I think he's waiting to surprise you with a diaper full when you least expect it! Xx

DH husband is home soon and starting his 6 hour baby sitting duties, so fingers crossed the poop explosion happens then!!!!

I'll cross my fingers for you!

Better go Artie has decided she's no longer tired and thinks my neck is my nipple...

Hope he explodes for you! :) x

Dd only has a poo every three days, but she must lose a Ib in weight each time! I rub her tummy then take her nappy off and keep her legs lifted up slightly which seems to sleep. I do hope she grows out of me doing that!