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

Thanks Plenty. DS eventually pooped at 05:00am. I've never seen so much poo come out of a small baby! Yards of it! I'm praying this is just a one off. I nearly used a whole pack of wipes! Xx

I did warn you! I'm glad he pooped - however massive! - must be a weight off your mind x

It is, more has just appeared. NICU talking about offering regular water so he doesn't go so long next time x How are your dear children? X

The kids are doing really well. Apollo was weaned off the sedative today so hoping he doesn't fight the tube :) Artie rolled over from back to stomach today! :)

Really pleased to hear your good news. I keep encouraging tummy time and assisted rolling

Any ideas???? Please. DS appears to still be constipated. Still giving him some cool boiled water each day but spending a lot of time straining and upset. Limited sleeping. Tried hot bath, cycling legs, massage etc. Having mixed feeds via expression as won't settle at breast. Crying, screaming during bottle feeds. Reflux? Do people think Gaviscon? Tried infacol/colief - with no effect. Worried will constipate further. On going symptoms which now appear worse. Keeping diary to show NICU H/V Pulling hair out!!!

On having HIPP ready made formula x

Have you recently changed formula (just before he got constipated), he may have a sensitive stomach and any change in formula could effect him give him a week to adjust.

If not, erm... try adding (if you haven't already) a small amount of brown sugar to the cooled boiled water so it's dissolved or add a little to his formula. Sugar works by drawing additional fluid into the bowels and loosening his poop. ( rule of thumb, give 1oz a day (or less) for every month of life up to about 4 months (so a 3mo would get around 3oz).

Also try probiotics (if his formula doesn't already have it & you talked to his Dr about it). The main source of friendly microorganisms in a baby's intestinal flora is bifidobacteria. Formula fed babies have only approx 25% of bifidobacteria in their intestines compared to 95% in the intestines of breastfed babies. Can be added to formula.

A long shot and it's rare but have you talked to the doctor about testing his iron levels. Excess iron can cause constipation. If it's high there's low iron formulas they can give you. Again, it's rare in babies.

I'm out of ideas, today! Xx

Thanks MM. He started on mix feeds over two Wks ago (so in a bottle 30ml Bmilk and 30ml formula). Way before the pooping issues started. No change in formula.
My Mother mentioned about the sugar which i haven't tried or the orange juice yet. Hadn't thought about a blood test either. I just feel like the H\V thinks I'm moaning and it's nothing. We are thinking of videoing a feeding session before we see the Consultant for his check up on Thursday x

MM, you seem to be a font of knowledge. If i go back to expressing, dropping the BF as he doesn't settle. Can i pump and put the whole bottle and pump in the fridge if not full and use it again until it's full and then steralise? Sterilising each time is so consuming. Also can you add breast temp milk to a bottle of fridge chilled milk? X

Just don't do the juice and sugar together - I did that as a rookie first time mom mistake with K and his HV gave me such a lecture. I felt like a child and so unconfident. Wish I was on here when K was born!

Video sounds like a good idea. As good as HVs are they don't always believe or want to believe what we're saying. Hope the visit goes well!

oh no that sounds like a complete nightmare! There might be more going on maybe an infection? Any temp?

My hv also mentioned the orange juice?

Thanks Plenty. No temp, just checked again. Obviously not been BFing very well either as only just managed to express 30ml across both breasts! You think someone would give us Mums a break!

It does get easier! Honest How is he? We have figured out that if we sit dd up then lean her forward she burps herself quite well.

Yes, you can put the pump in the fridge between sessions (my HV and Ped said it was okay) when I did this with A and the twin boys.

I recommend not using it more than twice so use extra pump parts if you have them and alternate just clean breast shields before use.This cut my washings down drastically. Also, you can top-up the same bottle as long as You can add freshly expressed milk to breastmilk that's already in fridge bear in mind, though, that you can only keep it until the original milk dates is up. If it looks a little lumpy stir it don't shake it. Also, don't heat up milk before adding fresh milk - big no no, but I'm sure you know that already :)

Everyone has a different opinion on the issue, so do what feels best and talk to a proffesional if you're really unsure.

Mine is based from experience from my DC and not had a problem with the method used above. :)

Hi Fraggle how is it going? Just to let you know I did a baby massage course last week and have been doing it every day since with dd. Since this she has stopped screaming in the evenings? The two must be linked?!

I'd love to do massages on Artie but she hates being moved, unless she's doing it herself. Changing her diaper is a nightmare as she constantly tries to kick her legs and screams, despite millions of distractions haha.

How's he getting on Fraggle? Hope he's pooping! :)

That sounds really positive Plenty. Can i ask what oil/cream you're using if any? Was it a private paid course? No screaming sounds like bliss.
I'm in the same position MMama, our DS is not keen on massage either! He's just keen on laying near my chest 24/7!
We have our Consultant appointment tomorrow but DS started on Gaviscon with some improvement and prune juice for constipation
We keep being told it's all normal prem stuff and he will grow out of it. He put another 10oz on last wk so can't grumble too much. Thank you for asking.
How are you getting on with sleeps/feeds through the night Plenty? X

Oh and we had poop today, after another three days of 'poop-less' straining ! I never thought i would be so happy to see a dirty nappy! X

Hope it goes well today. It was a free surestart course and we were given the oil and guide to use at home. The lady said that for colic/wind they would do home visits? I used surestart alot with my ds and they really do have great facilities which do not get used as much as you would expect.
There were two mums at the last one who overheard my conversation with a staff member about dd coming early. One then made a comment about her being small! She is over 10ib now so not really, I pointed this out. Their is always one.
She is better at night now and going longer but it varies greatly! She is so loud though, grunting, snoring, farting so not ladylike

Thanks Plenty. All went really well, DS being started on laxatives for constipation. Oh the silly comments drive you mad! We had the same thing today Going to check out the SStart in Oxford when we move in Feb. We love all the farts, so bloody funny, although very smelly at present!!! X

Glad it went well Hopefully the meds will help too.
Good luck with the move, I moved house when I was pregnant (not a wise decision given what happened after) but its great having a good clean out! Ds keeps blaming his farts on her now so I have two smelly kids.
The surestarts should have a list of other local playgroups you could try when ds gets older too.

Thanks Plenty. You and MMama have been stars xxx

You're very welcome :)