View Full Version : Feb 08 mummies chat :)
mythreelittlemonkeys
27-02-2008, 12:49
Hi!!!
Just thought would start a chat thread for the Feb Mummies and babies :)
mythreelittlemonkeys
27-02-2008, 19:35
Well Holden is 2 weeks tomorrow which seems so old already :)
We are doing okayish...he is having really bad feeding issues...which I really didnt expect him being number 2 and all...esp as I fed Tillie till 14 months...its been just over a week since I left hospital and he hasnt fed properly since...and his weight gain not put him back to birth weight by any means...today we had a lactation consultant come, and she has tried to reassure me it not me, or my supply, that he just isnt sucking...but he will if I EBM and put in bottle...just this taking up all my time and with a toddler this is hard work...so now for next 24 hours we are finger feeding to try and get him sucking more natural, and then attaching tube next to nipple tomorrow to see if that helps at all...failing all that we have a GP appoint tomorrow to get referral to pro breastfeeding paed surgeon who will tell us if he has tongue tie...Lactation consultant seems to think so, even though midwives at hospy assured me this wasnt the problem last Friday...so all in all very tired, and teary...feeds taking 2 hours trying to attach him to boob, then bottle feed and EBM, and with hubby due to go back to mines on Monday...I am getting very worried...
I think if Paed says he is not tongue tied and we still cant get him to suck on breast I will have to bottle feed...which is making me even sadder...
Sorry really long winded!!!
Apart from all that I am really loving having Holden here...and when I not the human equivalent of a cow, every minute with him is jsut fantastic...Tillie is loving being a big sister, carries her boy doll around the house, changing and feeding him...and always tickling Holdens feet!
Hope to see some other Feb Mummies in here, nice to hear how all the little ones are going and get support :)
Sorry to hear about your feeding troubles :( I hope Holden picks it up soon. Great name btw :D
Dylan's six days old today. I can't believe how fast it's going.
At the moment we're feeding and sleeping beautifully. Fingers crossed it stays that way. I had such a tough time feeding DD, so I'm over the moon it's working out this time.
I'm feeling so blissed out. Even DD is being a good girl.
She loves her little brother so much! She hovers around the bassinet waiting for him to wake up so she can have cuddles and kisses.
Hubby's gone back to work today. During the day we have no problem, it's only at night that I need him to watch one child while I'm with the other.
He's due to start a new job very soon where he's working away. 2 weeks on 1 off. I'm not looking forward to it. But hopefully by then I'll have everything under control here.
mythreelittlemonkeys
28-02-2008, 13:43
My Dh does 2 &1 too :) It is okay you get used to it...he has done it since I was pg with DD so now nearly 3 years...it used to be 3 &1 which was harder...
Great that Dylan is sleeping and feeding well! Michael must be a popular middle name I think there are 3 of us in Feb who have chosen, it is my Dad's name ;)
Okay better go...DH feeding Bug!
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
28-02-2008, 15:13
Tillieandbug - I hope you're able to get to the bottom of Holden's feeding troubles soon so you can just focus on enjoying your little family.
Taj is a whole 5 days old today and is just gorgeous. I was still in shock I think for a few days after the birth and hadnt really slept even for a few days before he was born due to pre-labour, and was missing my DS1 so much I think I didnt have that immediate rush of feeling and bond I did when I first held my DS1. I mean I loved him and was delighted with him but still felt a little detached, also got the blues pretty badly day three. But now I'm on cloud nine and so so in love with my baby boy. I'm so proud of my boys (including my DH)!
The only issue we've been having with Taj is that he will only really have one sleep in his basinette, the rest are very unsettled and he needs to be rocked or patted on and off to stay asleep. DH and I have been taking turns through the night up with him. I think though he has been pretty much dream-feeding every time - getting his rest during almost hour long feeds and then when he finishes feeding feels refreshed and awake. SO now I'm trying to keep him more alert during his feeds which he thinks is very mean!
We'll see if it works out.
Ok, I've rambled on heaps now - cant wait to hear how all the other Feb bubs are going,
Mel
Hi All,
Tess is 4 weeks old on Monday, I cannot believe it, the days go so quick, it feels like we just brought her home. She is feeding well and sleeps well too, she has just started getting some bad wind pains after feeding which sometimes wake her up too, but only during the day which I find strange ??
DF has been working away this week, home on the weekend then off again for another week, but I have had my Mum staying so that has been great. All in all I am loving motherhood so far, but I think we have been lucky and have been blessed with a very placid, easy baby.
Tillieandbug - I hope the feeding with Holden gets better and I hope you have it sorted before hubbie goes back to work.
Alicia - Great to hear all is going well with Dylan.
JaidevsMum - We had the asme problem with Tess early on sleeping through her feeds coz she was so small. We had to be mean to keep her awake too, blowing on her face, tickling toes and feet, wet cloth on face bright light on for night feeds, but it worked, coz now she wakeas for feeds and after a burp goes straight to sleep for 3-4 hours.
Great to hear from you all, enjoy your bundles !! :flowerz:
Hi Girls!
Nice to hear how you're all doing.
Tillieandbug - I'm so sorry to hear about your feeding probs. What a nightmare that must be! It makes life so so stressful. Especially with a toddler to look after too.
Jaidevsmum - We've been having the exact problem with Eve. She just won't sleep in her basinette for more than 10 minutes! DH and I have also been tag teaming it through the night and the only sleep I've been getting is when she's in bed with me sleeping on my chest. Fingers crossed they start some better sleeping soon.
We've otherwise been doing well. Eve is 6 days old today and seems pretty content most of the time. My biggest stress has been that DS has been sick with a vomiting bug, poor love, and I'm terrified he's going to pass it onto Eve. I've been trying to keep things clean but you know what toddlers are like. It's virtually impossible. He even coughed right in her face yesterday! Oh well, just have to cross my fingers and keep an eye on them both.
Kylie x
GizmoKel
01-03-2008, 20:43
Hi,
Don't have too long to write as have to wake Alyssa up for her feed. She has slept pretty good today which probably means tonight we are in for hell and considering Kyla our 2.5 yr old has just come down with what seems like a bad cold and maybe infection its not going to be fun.
Just wondering if anyone is not breastfeeding their baby? I am expressing every feed for Alyssa due to many problems with breastfeeding but hope to get a appointment next week to the Breastfeeding Clinic to see how they can help. I hope she won't have forgotten how to feed by the time we get in but due to the damge I seem to get from just one feed I think its safer for me to express for now so at least still have supply.
I will come back and read rest later and etc.
Hope all is going well
Take Caree everyone
mythreelittlemonkeys
02-03-2008, 17:09
Gizmokel - I am having a time of it too...in fact we ended up in Hospital on friday evening...Holden still really Jaundiced, not feeding (and destroying my nipples when he tries!) and very slow even on the EBM...we were let out today...still jaundiced and sleepy but now some weight gain after a couple of intensive days of feeding there...he has a small heart murmur too but paed doesnt seem to think that is affecting feeding...now just got to get this jaundice flushed out and see if when he more alert he will take to the breast better- otherwise looks like 12 months of being a dairy cow with pump! makes it tricky feeding every 3 hours when he takes hour to drink bottle, I have to express, settle him before you know it it time to feed again...and having a toddler too - well lets just say I am a bit nervous about DH flying out tomorrow...looks like next couple of weeks going to be fun gotta keep this up, get him wieghed regularly, see paed again etc etc
He so cute though, makes it all worthwhile :)
GizmoKel
02-03-2008, 19:56
HI Tillie,
Aww I hope Holden gets better soon in regards top the jaundice and that you can get your feeding up and running.
How much are you able to express each time and how much does he take? I'm expressing anywhere between 70-110ml each time and trying to do this every 3 to 4 hours. But atm she is taking 110ml each feed every 3-4 hours so I'm close to needing to supplement with formula which I suppose I don't mind doing but I really want to be expressing enough to freeze some.
I feel for you having your DH leave tomorrow. I have a toddler as well and I am already dreading my DH going back to work and thats 3 weeks away!
Hope it all works out :hugs:
mythreelittlemonkeys
02-03-2008, 20:26
I am expressing about 80 -100ml each time...and he's having between 60 -100ml but takes him nearly hour to drink...which not so good as tires him out...I have gone and bought new bottles as the avent ones great for going with my pump but the teat not really same shape as me IYKWIM, the 2 last feeds have been much quicker using the new Tommee Tippee breast like ones :)
Hope the Lactation people can help you...sure it will be okay...as you are feeding EBM and as long as you have heaps of skin to skin contact and perhaps even put your babies face close to nipple when bottle feed?
I am too hoping that when the jaundice gone the sucking will improve and I can get him to a) suck on breast and b) attach without shredding it (as he does at mo :( )Its so frustrating especially when midwives, lactation people etc tell you you doing everything right just he not getting it...
Okay better go...only hour till next feed ;) goes quickly!
GizmoKel
02-03-2008, 21:46
Hi,
Thats a pretty good amount to be expressing (well so everyone is telling me). How many times a day are you expressing and for how long each time?
Also what breast pump do you have? We have hired the Medela one.
We were using the Tommee Tippee newborn bottles but they were too quick I think as she was drinking it all in like 5-10 mins. Now just using the slow teat ones we got with our Target brand steraliser it takes her 20mins at least so it tires her out and she has less wind.
I had the same in the hospital with everyone saying Alyssa was attached properly but Ihere I am in horrible agony...but it was the same with my DD as well. I'm actually starting to get scared now cos my breasts are really sore from the expressing as well. About 5 midwives in hospital said they think I have extremely sensitive nipples so I really don't know how long this is all going to last..but at least I know I have given her the best start and done what I can.
mythreelittlemonkeys
02-03-2008, 23:25
after every feed...so every 3 hours...
yes mine are sore expressing too...
think it almost makes it harder having heaps of milk...makes me feel worse about him not being able to breast feed...the avent teat being slower was tiring him out too much which not good for his jaundice...so I am okay with the tomee tippee being fast ;) but yup he is a bit windier!
Hope you have a good night!
yummyyumyums
03-03-2008, 09:27
Hi All :wave:
Well our little Chausiku is 3wks old today! Can't believe how fast the time is going!
We've had feeding probs too :( She latches on well but gets really frustrated because there just isn't much there :( When in hospital I knew there was something wrong but the middies kept saying I should calm down and everything would be ok. Within two days of her birth she had lost 11% of her birth weight and just wasn't even interested in feeding at all, so much so that she wouldn't even latch on when offered. One middie suggested I should 'torture' her with a cold wet flannel! She said I should slap her with it a few times to ensure she wakes up! Well I just couldn't agree to going that far and ended up supplement feeding her. Problem is that now she finds how easy it is to feed from the bottle she's even less interested in feeding from me. I've shed many tears over this as I feel like I've failed. My milk supply just never came in no matter what I did. One middie suggested it might be because I didn't go into labour. Hubby is being beautiful as usual, he keeps telling me that it's not my fault and begs me not to cry because it's breaking his heart, but I can't help it.
Other than the feeding issue everything is going so well. She sleeps from midnight til 6am every night! She rarely ever cries unless she has a tummy pain, and even then she cries for only a moment. She loves to stare and already knows my voice & hubby's voice. Her neck control is really strong. She is even happy to lay in her snuggle bed and coo herself to sleep! Shes just an amazing baby - very content and placid, which is why hubby says I shouldn't upset myself over the feeding issue.
Anyway, sorry for the long post. I hope you're all having a lovely day & enjoying every moment of motherhood :hugs: and those of you with feeding problems, I hope you get them resolved soon - I know what you're going through!
Duchessa
03-03-2008, 11:58
TillieandBug, it sounds like you are having a hard time. Good on you for sticking with it and persevering with the bfing. Sometimes it just takes sheer bloody-mindedness to get to where the bf relationship is tolerable. You'll do it!
GizmoKel and yummyuumyums, I hope that your feeding issues sort themselves out too. It is a hard time.
Saskia 5 days old and feeding and sleeping like a trooper. She is the most content and happy of bubs and I am really enjoying this baby phase - something that I didn't with the twins - I just didn't get the time and space to love it.
:goodvibes::goodvibes:
Great to hear all the Feb bubs are doing well!
Bridget is an amazingly placid little girl - she feeds, sleeps, checks everything out between and seems to be a very old soul :)
We had a few wind issues last week, but that seems to be settling now that I've cut down on sugar and additive-laden foods, as well as dairy. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do the bland diet thing with Bridget like I did with Will, but I do for the moment. She isn't suffering nearly as badly as he did though, so hopefully it's short-lived.
Sorry to hear there are some feeing problems with some of your bubs. It's hard when you have midwives who think they are lactation experts and clearly don't know enough - but instead of saying they don't know, tell mums that everything is fine. This has happened to some of my friends...
I've got a couple of tricks to try if you don't mind me butting in!
- The Special K mouth. Bub's mouth should look like the Special K logo. Make sure the bottom lip is rolled down, like a full pout. The beauty here is that you can usually readjust the bottom lip without removing them from the boob! Just reach into the chin and pull at the lip, or just under it, till it rolls out. If you can get it to work you'll feel them draw the nipple in more.
- If they're attached properly, even if your nipples are tender, the act of feeding shouldn't be painful. it should have a pain relieving property for both bubs AND Mum.
- With DS, I found that once my milk came in, and for the few weeks after that (while I had lots of milk, and fast milk at that), he got lazy. He didn't need to suck hard or work hard for it, and the milk almost fell into his mouth at first. This created wind problems as well. To fix this I fed him "uphill" - so, me lying back on enough of an angle that he had to work for it and suck hard to get the milk to draw up.
- clear their nose before each feed, with some saline drops or some ebm (using a dropper or syringe). Blocked noses reduce the ability to suck properly and will also make them windy and attach poorly.
- if you have to break the attachment, dry the nipple before putting them back on. If there's milk on the nipple it's harder for them to latch properly.
- for tender nipples, bathe in warm salt water after each feed, or as often as you like. Also squeeze some milk out after each feed and rub it over the nipple, and let your nipples air out between feeds (ie. no bra or leave the cup down).
Hope some of these help. I'll come back soon to chat more, but wanted to post these tricks tonight just in case any of them help!
Enjoy your shiny new bubs everyone!!
GizmoKel
03-03-2008, 20:32
Hi,
I am so depressed tonight don't think I've stopped crying. I really don't know how long I can keep expressing all feeds...and feel like such a failure. Some of you have worse breastfeeding problems than me but are trying your hardest but I just can't handle it :crying:
Oh, and I think it's on the ABA website, but you can buy a teat for bottles that is really really long, a great design for mums who want to recreate the sucking action on the boob as much as possible. Because of the long teat they need to suck harder to get the milk.
Maybe someone else has more info, that's all I know, but they are out there and I've heard some great things about them.
Big hugs GizmoKel - I hope you feel better soon. Remember, you're not a failure. You have a beautiful baby who is loved and fed. And you are going above and beyond to do what you are doing. That's commitment!!! Not failure.
I hope things start to settle for you soon.
yummyyumyums
04-03-2008, 08:42
Hi,
I am so depressed tonight don't think I've stopped crying. I really don't know how long I can keep expressing all feeds...and feel like such a failure. Some of you have worse breastfeeding problems than me but are trying your hardest but I just can't handle it :crying:
:hugs: big hugs to you hun - your post almost made me cry! :(
I went through a patch of extreme baby blues for the first 2 weeks after Chausiku's birth, I cried over everything and over nothing. It was darn awful, especially with the feeding probs. I remember sitting on the couch while feeding her from a bottle and just sobbing my heart out - you know the type of sob that comes from deep inside, where you can actually feel the pain in your chest and your stomach. :( It was all because I just couldn't handle it anymore, it was like a slap in the face in that Chausiku was obviously enjoying feeding from the bottle more than feeding from me. I stupidly took it as rejection. My hubby came into the room and looked at my face and I saw big tears forming in his eyes and he begged me to stop crying, he said I was breaking his heart and he couldn't take it because he felt hopeless to help me. Poor sweetheart. There are still moments when I feel down and think I've failed somehow, but at the end of the day it's more important to know that she's happy, settled and has a full belly, and if the only way I can achieve that is with a bottle of formula, well that's just the way it has to be. I realized that I was wasting these precious first weeks with her by worrying and getting sad and upset, knowing that there would soon come a time when she would be grown and eating solids etc, and I'd have wasted it all, never being able to get these moments back again. I know it's tough hun, but you have to set it into your heart and into your head that you're not a failure. You are doing the best you can and no one can ask more from you than your best. Don't make the mistake of comparing yourself to other Mum's - that is a recipe for disaster! We are all different, so are our babies, so what works for one won't automatically work for another.
Chin up :hugs: and rest assured that your efforts are the best for your baby :hugs:
Hi Ladies,
I am sorry some of you are having a hard time feeding, it must be awful. Keep your chin up and I hope things improve for you.
I feel bad for saying but Tess is feeding well, I have a wedding coming up and we think we will leave her with Mum, so I am going to try & express. My mat health nurse suggested I express maybe 20-30 mls each feed until I have enough to leave her with Mum for a couple of feeds. This may be a stupid question...but once I express into a clen container, can I keep adding to that container in the fridge ?? What is the best way to heat up the breastmilk, I was going to give it to her at room temp but a few people have told me this can cause wind ?? :confused:
Also Tess has just started getting some real windy nights, does what I eat have any effect, if yes, what should I stay away from ??
Anyway must go, can hear the little one stirring.
Big hugs to all you Mums out there feeling a bit down, :hugs: Take Care xx
mythreelittlemonkeys
04-03-2008, 10:36
Hi Dingo...
We have been told you can leave bmilk out (in mild weather so I guess 24 degrees and less) for 2 hours, in fridge at back for 5 days, and freeze for 3 months...Medela do some great freezer bags specially for this...I have been told not to add to milk already expressed and to date and write time on it too so know which one to use first...
We warm ours up by placing in mug of hot water...but I was also told not to microwave it...and that if not warm doesnt matter as long as they take it as if you were out and about you may not be able to heat etc etc...
Not sure how much that helps...
Oh when I bfed last time what I ate definitely affected Matilda...had to avoid caffeine, chocolate, prawns (gave her and me upset tummy) and onions...
not sure this time as the little lad seems to be windy a lot but I am putting this down to the bottle and poor attachment...
mythreelittlemonkeys
04-03-2008, 10:44
:hugs::hugs::hugs: Gizmokel - just read your post - I totally empathise with you as I am feeling pretty similar...last night was my first night without DH and was awful re feeds, no settling and no sleep...and I am not sure how many nights I can function like that with Tillie too to look after...just praying for a miracle to happen and for all this to improve PDQ...
It is not easy and as everyone has said your efforts are amazing and your doing the very best for your baby...how can that be failing xxxxxxxx Every real success is a result of many hurdles overcome :) When it all comes together it will only be the sucess you remember not the struggle beforehand (I only remmeber I fed DD for 14 months happily not the 10 days of finger feeding after birth ;) )
Dingo - definitely, what you eat passes through your milk.
With DS I had to avoid sugar, caffeine, cow's milk, rich spices and flavours (such as curry, chilli, glutamates ie. msg family of flavours), and some veggies (peas, broccoli, cauliflower, capsicum, excess tomatoes, all my faves).
Also, if you are dropping weight quickly your body will also excrete toxins through your milk, which can upset their bellies (milk is considered a viable excretion method for toxins as any other bodily fluid), which is why dieting and detox is not recommended while breastfeeding.
Your milk is at it's best after sleep/rest, so you'll find in the morning your supply is at it's highest. As you get into the afternoon, supply drops a little, so Tess might want to feed more frequently and they'll be shorter feeds (snacking essentially). If this happens she might be getting too much foremilk compared with the fatty hindmilk. Foremilk is the more fluid watery milk that contains higher lactose levels. When babies feed like this through the day, lactose (like any other sugar) creates wind, which gets trapped in the intestines and bowels, and causes wind pains.
Are you finding her poos have changed to a green colour rather than mustard? This is an indication of too much sugar or lactose in the milk.
This is why babies tend to get windy (or "colicky") in the afternoon and evening, until they get rid of the wind. Then the cycle starts fresh every day... It's heartbreaking because you feel so helpless.
You can get a product at the chemist called Infants Friend, which is really helpful if it gets bad or is distressing her. It is all natural and is just a blend of good digestive oils that can be used from birth (this is the only product that can be used from birth).
A sling can help after feeds during the day, or propping her mattress on an incline so that the bubbles can move down easier (gravity :))
It's really tempting to put her back on the boob when the wind gets bad, but you'll find this usually just makes it worse. As much as I was never for dummies, this is the one time I use them - I don't force them to suck, just let them mouth it to satisfy and comfort them - if she's fishing for feeds while crying from wind, it's usually an auto response to pain as sucking provides pain relief, not that she is hungry.
In the morning, check that her nose is clear, as they can get snuffy in the mornings, which makes latching harder through the day as the mucous builds up.
HTH! Good luck.
Oh, and if it persists, might be worth checking out a chiro or similar. DS' problems, though helped considerably by eliminating foods and all those other methods (he is even on the additive-free failsafe diet now as a toddler), were actually the result of spinal issues upsetting the nervous system.
The birth process can do all sorts of things to little spines!!
Re ebm and milk - probably the biggest factor here is when you express (do you express from a "fresh" side, or do you express at the end of each feed?) If you are expressing a little more frequently and adding to the collection, you may end up with a feed that is much higher in foremilk than hindmilk, hence lots of lactose (milk sugars). That would definitely cause wind.
On the flip side, if you have a windy bub it might pay to have expressed feeds that are almost all hindmilk, so as to help their bellies ;) Of course, they need foremilk as this is the fluidy element of their milk, but the occasional feed higher in hindmilk can be great for a colicky baby!
Elissaa & Tillieandbug - Thanks heaps for all the info. The wind is not that bad, just that for the first 3 weeks she did not burp, now all of a sudden she gets quiet upset and lets out big burps and I wondered if it was something that I am eating.
Anyway I will see how we go, but thanks again. :sunshine:
Thanks guys, there's some great tips there. Sorry your feeding isn't going well :(
How on earth does anyone with more than one child have a social life?! I tried to be out the door by 9am this morning, it was 11:30 before we got anywhere!
mythreelittlemonkeys
04-03-2008, 17:42
I'm hearing you Alicia :) We had Ngala Playgroup this morning and I was so thinking I was organised...but we still ended up being 1/2 hour late :) Naughty me I drove but is jsut around the corner...and Tillie was going stir crazy and I thought some normality might help...I think it did...certainly cheered me up to see my girlfriends and have the nice ladies there feed Holden and chat to...
GizmoKel
04-03-2008, 19:31
Thanks everyone for your kind words. :hugs: Today has been better for me and I see a lactation specialist on Thurs arvo so we'll see what happens. She's also going to be my health nurse so I hope shes nice. Just means I have to keep up the expressing etc until Thurs which I know I can do...though last night I wasn't very sure.
You can do it Gizmo :hugs:
We're having some attachment problems. But only really on the left side. It took us an hour to get on this morning. Poor baby was screaming the whole time :(
I think it was a mix between a very full breast and a stuffy nose.
On the plus side, he slept for five and a half hours straight last night. I couldn't believe it when I looked at the clock :laughing: I don't know how he fits it all into his little tummy, but he fed for an hour and a half solid before dropping off.
Hello Ladies!!!
Oh how nice it is to see you all again :smiliedance:
I have about 3.5 mins on the computer :laughing: so I'm just stopping in to say hi and say I'm looking forward to being part of the birth group. I haven't read the rest of the thread properly but I can see the main issue at the moment for us all is probably breastfeeding. Yep, things are a bit tough here too...I have a baby who just isn't fussed about the whole feeding thing and doesn't particularly like having much to do with my breast...in fact we get a very indignant look when we try to make her feed (THIS WOMAN IS ASSULTING ME, AGAIN!!! :rolleyes:) Had my first crummy night last night, got my first snippet of sleep at 6am - but hey, that's parenthood hey! Keep persevering everyone, I reckon we'll all have it down pat soon. We also just had a lactation consultant come in and I tell you, she is an angel! I highly recommend everyone having some probs get one in!
Alright, that's it for me for now, hopefully it wont be too long before I get back on. I'm really loving this experience, in a way it has been easier and much more fun than I had it cracked up to be. And I'm really starting to feel connected and in love with my baby (that didn't kick in initially)...so much so in fact that she is just too cute to not cuddle. Off to do that now :cloud9:
Phyllis Stein
05-03-2008, 20:04
Hi everyone!
I'm so sorry to hear the bf issues people are having. I really hope they resolve soon for you all, so you can concentrate on just enjoying your babies.
Elissas, you're a legend for providing all that info! Especially the diet/ wind stuff - my diet is rich in most of those foods, so I'll be sure to keep an eye on how things go.
Well, Jasper's 10 days old today, and things are going pretty well. BF is going ok - he's feeding every 2-3 hours round the clock, and has just regained his birth weight, which was a relief to know. The only feeding problem we're having is that he sometimes has little coughing fits when feeding from the right side.
DH and I are still adjusting to the lack of sleep - I can see why they say sleep deprivation is a form of torture! Oh, for 5 hours of sleep!
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to sharing the trials & tribulations of parenthood with all of you!
Congrats to my fellow Feb mums! Luciella is now 4 weeks old and (i feel guilty and somewhat proud to say) breastfeeding like a trooper! But don't dispair, its not all me. I have a secret...
Luciella's first feed was magnificent! She attached instantly and sucked properly until she fell asleep. Then the problems started. I'm not sure if the jaundice came first or the disinterest in feeding, but once one starts, the other usually follows. For this reason she was not waking for feeds and once we finally woke her she seemed too sleepy to feed. The odd time she did want to feed, she had trouble attaching. The LC said it was because she was so small (5 lb 15, although not premmie), but i still think she was just lazy. I was expressing at every chance I got but the PAED was still worried she was not getting enough milk, so we topped up every feed with formula.
I was very upset about not being able to BF and that she was having formula. My nipples were so sore from expressing and one was bleeding. A lot of tears were shed and a lot of pleading to the midwives to "fix" me, when one clever midwife suggested I try a Nipple Shield. This was the best advice I recieved the whole pregnancy and after the birth!
Luciella now feeds easily. There is no trouble with attachment using the Nipple Shield, and my nipples don't get sore. The only downside I have noticed is if I don't use the shield for one reason or another, she has trouble attaching to the breast. I use the Avent ones, which I haven't had a problem with.
Hope this helps all those mum's having breastfeeding trouble. Remember that you have the most important job, and it doesn't matter how it's done, as long as it gets done!
misskittyfantastico
06-03-2008, 11:12
Hello ladies, just thought I'd pop in and see how everyone is getting on.
Huge bravos to the ladies that are having feeding troubles - your strength and perserverance is amazing:yelclap: I really hope things improve for you soon.
I'm glad to hear that everyone is adjusting to the new small people in their houses!
Hamish was two weeks old yesterday - my how time flies! He's such a placid little being - loves boobs and cuddles! He's feeding well - 2-3 hrs round the clock and has put on 250g in 10 days.
DD is loving her new brother. The first words out of her mouth when she wakes up are "Where's Hamish?" "I want to HOLD him"! Her whinging has revved up a notch, but I think that's just her being 2 1/2!
Alicia and TillieAndBug - I hear you on the 2 child thing! Leaving the house is a HUGE production these days!
I hope you all have a good day with your bundles!:goodvibes:
yummyyumyums
06-03-2008, 12:08
Hi All! :wave:
I just wanted to come here and say how great I'm feeling today! :yes: I am so in love with our little Chausiku, she's just the most delightful little baby, so placid and a pleasure to take care of.
She now sleeps from 11pm - 7:30am!!
I took her for her 3wk check up with my ob yesterday & found she's gained 680g in the past 16 days!! Meaning that she is now 420g over her birth weight!! Considering she lost 11% of her birth weight in the first 2 days after her birth and had only gained back 100g by the time she was 1wk old, she's doing really well - I'm on :cloud9: I am now successfully breast feeding her and then topping her up with a bottle because my supply still isn't enough for her. I've finally adjusted and accepted that this is what is best for her, and I'm happy with the way things are going.
Ob was great with her, cuddled her for a while and called her a little love :bee:
She really knows who I am now and responds to my voice and hubby's voice too. The minute she hears my voice she settles - or if I pick her up she snuggles into my neck and her breathing becomes slow and steady. It's just so sweet!! Even hubby noticed last night that she looks for me if she can hear me talking. Gosh I'm just so darned happy!!! I feel like I'm going to burst!!!
I hope everyone else is feeling as wonderful with their little ones too :hugs: and I especially hope that those with feeding probs are working things out and are happy with whatever decisions they make.
We Feb Mummies Rock!! :smiliedance:
Duchessa
06-03-2008, 13:10
Hey MissKitty, nice to see you in here :) Hamish sounds like a very content little bubba and Millie sounds much like Bonnie and Freya - just loving having a little sibling. It hadn't occurred to me just how lovely it would be to watch the girls fall in love with their little sister :goodvibes:
Mahna, it sounds like you are going gangbusters too! I love the photo in your av, beautiful and peaceful.
MrsO, you also sound like you are going really well. I hear you on teh bonding thing - while I haven't had any problems with feeling connected to Saskia, I really strugggled with the twins and it took many months. I'm glad that the maternal feelings are beginning to flow - it can make you feel like a failure or a freak if you don't get them.
Gizmo, I really hope that you are getting everything sorted out as I type. Look forward to hearing how things go with the LC. :hugs:
Yummyyumyums :flowerz: Everything sounds absolutely perfect in your neck of the woods - go the boobs and go little Chausiku!
Saskia and I are doing terrifically well too. Dh has finished his week of paternity leave so we are back to business as usual. The girls are very pleased to have mummy back on board full time and have settled down a lot. They just love Saskia and constantly check her to see if she is awake or asleep. They always tell me when she is stirring and say "Saskia wants boobs, mummy" :D. I took her and myself to the osteopath on Tuesday and he sorted us out beautifully.
Every thing seems pretty cruisy so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Aww that is so good to hear Yummyyumyums. Your post gave me lots of warm fuzzies :goodvibes:
Duchessa, glad to hear everything's going well.
Your birth story was unbelievable to read. (I didn't get a chance to reply as I was being summoned by the toddler ;)) It sounded like a magical experience, you must be so proud :hugs:
Feeding is much better today. Dylan's not feeding anywhere near as much, so my ( . )( . )'s are extrememly full! I bought a breast pump yesterday, but am yet to try it out.
Everyone in our household has had a 48 hour flu. It hit me the hardest because I was so tired. Thankfully we're all feeling much better now.
Bub has put on 250g's since birth. The nurse said to him "You're getting the good stuff aren't you mate?". I felt so proud :smiliedance:
Phyllis Stein
06-03-2008, 15:24
Thanks Duchy :goodvibes: Glad to hear everything's going swimmingly in your household!
Congrats on getting everything sorted Yummyyumyums! You must feel very relieved!
Ok, just gonna take a moment to pat myself on the back here. Stand clear of the head swell! :D
First of all, I'm so proud I birthed a 9lb 4oz baby. My post-birth weight is 52 kg, and I'm a realllllly small framed person. I'm the classic candidate for an OB to diagnose with CPD - thankfully, no one guessed my boy would be a whopper or I probably would have had to fight for a vaginal birth!
Secondly, we had an appointment with the CHN today & Jasper has put on 470g in 7 days!! He's exceeded his birth weight at 11 days old! And I'm a skinny vegetarian! :eek:
Ok, shameless self-congratulations are over :o
Hello ladies ! :D
Thought I'd pop in here too and join up to the birth group.
Its good to see you all again and now we're on the other side :goodvibes:
My little Sophie is doing really well, she's 12 days old today - she has been a great baby :baby:
all she does is sleep and eat !
I am breastfeeding too and going through all the joys, I had troubles to begin with with really sore nipples but thats because attachment was all wrong , I think were starting to finally get the hang of it now.
Im going to try your advice elissas on the diet in regards to wind too .
Im so glad I found this thread and Im looking forward to sharing all the ups and downs with you all.
GizmoKel
06-03-2008, 20:08
Hi everyone :)
Its great to hear that some of you who were having problems with feeding have sorted them out :smiliedance:
I hope the rest of you still having problems can get them fixed soon and start to enjoy feeding :flowerz:
Some babies have had some fantastic weight results as well!!! Def makes you feel better to know that your bub is doing all the right things etc. Alyssa gained 95g in the first 2 days home but then only another 30g in the next 4 so I wasn't too happy about that but the nurse said that any gain is still a gain and shes doing all the right things and has heaps of wet and dirty nappies.
I had the lactation consultant come over today and I explained everything that has happened with feeding this time and last and she basically said it sounds like I have extremely sensitive nipples and a problem with blood engorgement and that she wasn't even going to attempt to put bub on. She didn't have a name for it but was going to do some research and contact some other LC's but basically said congratulations for even attempting this time and for expressing and to just keep it up long as I can. So that made me feel a little better.
We had great fun yesterday while out shopping NOT :hissy: We got to the shops and I went to the toilet then we went to Toys-R-Us. We had been in there for about 5 mins when it felt like I was wetting myself a little. I'm like oh **** I thought I didn't have a problem in that area cos its all been fine then it kept going and I could feel it going down my legs and everything. I was way freaking out thinking I had lost control of my bladder so I looked and it was blood. Funny to say I felt relief instantly that I wasn't peeing myself then panic that I was heamorrohaging (sp). Watching All Saints only a week ago about the same thing didn't help.
So I told Dh and said we had to go and started to head downstairs to where I knew a medical centre was. On the way out I started to feel like I was going to pass out but started breathing deeply and slowly and that passed. We got to the medical centre and they took me in straight away and let me lie down but basically said we had to go to the hospital. She took my blood pressure though and that was ok so I knew I wasn't going to die from blood loss so that was a relief.
Anyway we went to the hospital and they did blood tests and swabs and an ultrasound and the end result was I still have something inside...either retained placenta or clots so I'm on antibiotics and if I start bleeding again we have to go straight back for a D&C. But I'm prepared now...I have a towel in the car.
Hope everyone is going well and getting some sleep and just enjoy it all.
TAKE CARE :hugs:
How scary for you Gizmo !!
I am glad to hear you're okay :hugs:
yummyyumyums
07-03-2008, 09:36
I tried to come in here earlier, but there was no room due to mahna mahna's head swelling and taking up all the space! :laughing: Just kidding ;) Glad to hear your little man is doing so well.
OMG GizmoKel, that must have been really scarey! I'd have been totally freaked out! I hope the antibiotics work for you. :hugs:
Hi Tixta, great to see you here and to find out that you & your little one are doing so well - isn't motherhood a blessing!
Sorry to hear about the flu hitting your household so thoroughly ~Alicia. I hope your (.)(.)'s are feeling better too. :D
Duchessa, that is just so cute the way your young ones say 'Saskia wants boobs, mummy' :goodvibes: that's the type of thing you want to have written down in a diary or something so you'll remember to tell them about it when they're older! So sweet!
Well I had planned to write an update on our little treasure, but I can hear her stirring so I'll have to come back later after I've fed her.
I hope you all are having a lovely day :hugs: Take care - lots of cuddles to your bubbies.
Phyllis Stein
07-03-2008, 10:07
I tried to come in here earlier, but there was no room due to mahna mahna's head swelling and taking up all the space! :laughing:
:o :p :o
Glad to hear our bubs are all doing well!!
Gizmo - wow, scary stuff!
Duchessa - that is too cute. If only Will was a better conversationalist, it would make things a little easier.
Mahna - you're allowed to boast hehe, we all do. At least you're humble enough to admit it ;)
Alicia - hope the bugs have gone from your home and that your boobs are on the mend!
I'll try and do some more personals over the weekend, but I can hear a little girl starting to stir, which gives me about 5mins to finish this post, go to the loo and make DS' lunch for when he wakes.
Bridget is doing great! Except for a bit of wind, which we're getting on top of by cutting out too much snacking (nb. imo you can overfeed a breastfed baby - if they make themselves sick with bubbles...). No need to worry about weight. At the MCHN appt on Wed she'd gained 370g in 8 days, which sent us all into a tailspin (she's a bit of a lightning feeder, usually 10-15min feeds, some of those 4 or 5hrly!)
Will is being an angel most of the time, and very patient. Thank god for trains, cars, Tonka trucks and jigsaw puzzles.
We're off to a play centre with DH's cousin and his little girl soon, so just finishing packing the car so we can duck out as soon as both the kids and DH wake up - sleepy old household it is today...
Someone asked about how to get out of the house? My tricks are to have all bags packed at all times - have items that only stay in the bag and try to not let yourself raid the bag when at home ;). Also, DS and I shower in the late afternoon, so it saves water, and time the next day. Also, I aim to have myself and Will dressed, including my hair and make up, by 8am. Trying to do them at the last minute is a pain, and kids never cooperate in the last 30mins before you need to leave the house! If we need to leave before 10, I cheat and dress them in their clothes for bed (Will lives in trackies and t's anyway). I know it sounds terrible, but it means all I need to do is change nappies and feed, pack Will's food and get myself ready. Will doesn't care, he always seems to look fresh and neat anyway, and it saves toddler clothes fights in the morning too, which are always at the most inconvenient time. If I didn't do those things I'd never get out the door before midday!
Oh, and we got first smiles from Bridget yesterday morning, and getting even more today. I'm even more in love with her than I was before!!
Hi Ladies,
yummyyumyums - Your post gave me goosies, so glad to hear you are so happy ! Your little girl is so cute :yes:
Alicia - Hope your household is over the flu, nothing worse than feeling like **** when trying to look after the little ones.
mahna mahna - you go girl :smiliedance:
Tixta - Great to see you in here & I am so glad everything is going well for you & Sophie.
GizmoKel - You poor bugger, I hope the antibiotics work for you. Must have been so scary. I say well done for even getting out shopping, I have still hardly left the house & Tess is 5 weeks on Monday.
elissas - Congratulations on the smiles, don't they melt your heart ;)
Quick update on us. Tess is doing really well, we went to health nurse yesterday and she is now 8lb7oz at 4.5 weeks from 5lb10oz birth weight, so it made me feel really good. We must be doing something right if she is putting on weight regularly like that. She also grew anothr 2cms in length. She has been a bit windy this week, but with some tips from Ellissas and a bit of reading and also just me being a bit more relaxed when she does scream, we are getting there. Overall I am loving this, Tess is a good bubba feeding well, getting herself into a sleeping routine, we couldn't be happier. DF home tonight :valentine: he has been working away and just home on weekends for the last few weeks which we are both hating, I feel sorry for myself that he is away, but I think truely it must be harder for him, missing his girls, but 1 more week and the job will be finished...woohoo.....
Well I am just waiting for Tess to wake up to feed & then we are going for a walk. I think some sunshine will be nice. I hope you all have a great weekend.
:hugs::hugs:
GizmoKel
07-03-2008, 20:13
Hi everyone,
Duchessa - aww thats so cute. Kyla likes to ask me "if I'm doing boobs" seeing I'm expressing and its become her job to turn the pump on and off. Also today she went and got her dolly and was feeding her...from her belly button...too cute!
Elissa - Its great to hear that Bridget is doing so well and what great weight gain! I like your tips for leaving the house. We are managing ok seeing DH is home but I'm dreading when he goes back to work as its quite a task to get both kids ready with the 2 of us! And I've always been an early bird. We are always first to playgroup and any outings so I think I'm going to have to get used to being late :p
Dingo - Thats fantastic weight gain for your little Tess! It must be so hard having your DH working away so yay that he only has 1 week left!!! :smiliedance:
Hope everyone keeps well :flowerz:
Good afternoon ladies...
Nice to hear everyone is going well. Must say Gizmo, what a scary thing to have happen, but you really managed to keep your wits about you which is fantastic. And Mahna - boast as much as you like darling. I would proudly boast that my baby only wakes once during the night but she is only 8 days old and I reckon that could change. Still...hope it doesn't :D
Things here are going so well. Like I said, she is a bit of a sleeper, only has me up once during the night which is very reasonable if you ask me! :laughing: Our feeding issues are improving, I wouldn't say they are anywhere near ideal but we are getting somewhere. Yesterday she even sucked/chomped/general mouth movements :laughing: on my nipple for about 15 seconds :smiliedance:. The shields are getting easier and easier to use and we are relying less and less on DH to help get us attached and sucking. I reckon she'll be on the booby within no time. And the great thing is that even with all this lack of feeding she isn't losing weight, she's almost back up to her birth weight. Just shows that she must be getting enough in the ten minutes on one boob every 5 hours :rolleyes:
Physically I feel great, I weighed myself at day 5 and I'd lost 10 kilos, which only leaves about 3 kilos to go to get to my pre-birth weight. I do need to lose an extra 5-7 kilos though, so I'm kind of counting that in my head as baby weight. I have a question: When can I start gentle exercise? I really feel like going for a walk around the lake with the pram but I don't know if it is too early. I know DH will say 'no way', so I wanted to see what you guys are doing.
Anyway, I can smell the stench reaking from my babies nether regions :p so it's off for yet another change and then probably a feed.
Farewell until the next time I manage to grab 10 minutes to jump on the computer...
Dingo -what fantastic weight gain!! Well done :) Hope Tess' wind is settling down - I loathe wind...
Gizmo - hope the antibiotics are helping!
MrsO - Good to hear feeding is improving!! And I reckon get walking. I went for a walk the day after Bridget was born and have most days since. It's very good for you and just tell your DH that it's fine! I've started doing some gentle pilates exercises - just 10minutes here and there from my prenatal pilates dvd. I reckon just do it when you feel up to it and if it's painful or you're straining, then stop.
The other exercise that helps (and helps you feel better about yourself ;)) is jumping back in the sack (sorry if tmi) - if you feel up to it of course. I wanted to the next day lol, but wanted to wait an extra week or so just in case I was being too enthusiastic and did myself an injury instead. I was reading the other day about the book "The Ultimate Sex Diet", and DH is happy to try it out hehe. Must say, my libido is higher than it's been since I was pregnant with Will!
Bridget's wind seems to be gone. We took her to the chiro yesterday for a checkup and only one point needed adjusting - the point our chiro calls the "poo button". Since then she's been farting and pooing with no effort and has been blissfully content, no straining or crying :D Very happy.
The other exercise that helps (and helps you feel better about yourself ;)) is jumping back in the sack (sorry if tmi) - if you feel up to it of course. I wanted to the next day lol, but wanted to wait an extra week or so just in case I was being too enthusiastic and did myself an injury instead. I was reading the other day about the book "The Ultimate Sex Diet", and DH is happy to try it out hehe. Must say, my libido is higher than it's been since I was pregnant with Will!
Bridget's wind seems to be gone. We took her to the chiro yesterday for a checkup and only one point needed adjusting - the point our chiro calls the "poo button". Since then she's been farting and pooing with no effort and has been blissfully content, no straining or crying :D Very happy.
Ooohh...sex! I feel like a bit of a weirdo admitting this but my sex drive came back with a vengance 5 days after she was born :o But because I've got a few stiches I've been advised not to have intercourse for 6 WEEKS :eek: What am I going to do??? I know there are other things...but that doesn't really cut it :o
And also on the chiro point...we took Lorelei two days ago, also for an upset tummy and I really think there was an improvement. Back on Monday for another session, so hopefully we see even more of her tummy issues calm down.
Right...off to inform DH that I am going for a walk around the lake...like it or not :p
GizmoKel
08-03-2008, 19:50
Hi everyone,
Isn't it amazing what Chiros can do. Kyla has went to one when she was a newborn and had a few points needing fixing but I can't say it helped her much...she was just a bugger until 6 months no matter what we tried.
Just wondering a few things from you all...
* Does you bub have a dummy?
* Are you trying to fellow a feed/play/sleep routine?
* How long is your bubs awake time including feeding and nappy changing etc?
Thanks
misskittyfantastico
08-03-2008, 19:59
Hey all,
Glad to hear thatt everyone is going well.
I'm reading lots but not typing much - Hamish is feeding non-stop atm and I'm finding that hard with a toddler - a crazy toddler at that!
He's on the boob in the hug-a-bub so I'll give your questions a go, gizmo.
* Does you bub have a dummy?
Not atm....DD did though - still does. She was SUCH and unsettled little soul though.....I definately won't rule it out.
* Are you trying to fellow a feed/play/sleep routine?
Not really, I'm just going with the flow.
* How long is your bubs awake time including feeding and nappy changing etc?
Ummm, He has his eyes closed when he feeds and he feeds every 2 hours, but I'd say a good 40min to an hour, even 2 hours during the night (always the way)
Love the boob comments from the older siblings....so cute isn't it?
Phyllis Stein
08-03-2008, 20:47
elissas, :laughing: at "poo button"! I've got to get Jas to a chiro soon. He's having no problems in the poo department, but is having other issues.
Mrs O, wow! Waking once a night!!! Lucky you, even if it is just for the short term! I'm with elissas - I'd be walking if I were you. Just do what you feel comfortable with.
Gizmo, my answers are exactly the same as Miss Kittys' We haven't used a dummy yet, but Jas has been pretty unsettled the past few days so not ruling it out.
Sex! Are you girls crazy lol?? I sustained a pretty nasty injury to my gina during the birth - heaps of stitches, bruised black & blue & swelling like you wouldn't believe, so sex is absolutely the last thing I'd be doing!!
Anyway, Jas cried from 10pm last night to 4am this morning! We tried everything! We'd just get him settled, then put him down, and he'd wake & start again. He's also doing a fair bit of back arching & clawing at his face with his hands, so we're suspecting maybe a bit of reflux. Doesn't seem to be wind, as he farts & poos like a trooper. DH & I have even prepared for another sleepless night with a midnight snack & a few old movies lol!
I finally found this thread!
I'm sorry to hear about all the mum's having feeding issues, and hope they settle down soon. We have a few attachment issues, where she needs to be reattached about a million times when my boobs are too full. I'm finding at the moment , i have a very ample supply of milk, and am needing to express a bit off before feeds, just to get her to be able to get one. My right ( . ) is harder to get her on than the left. I think because my nipple on the left is bigger from being pierced years ago, even though its been gone a long time. I also find that putting her on with the football hold under my arm is easier to get her on, when i am particularly full.
Other than that she is doing well, and in the day is feeding every 4 hours or so, then in the afternoon she tends to get a bit more hungry and cluster feeds every 2 or so hours, like she is stocking up for over night, as she is going anywhere from 5 - 6 hours overnight.....which is great for me!
She is sleeping well, and is such a pleasureable baby! Such a difference from my DS, as he suffered from severe reflux, and screamed pretty much 24/7 and had two 20 min naps a day, and fed every 1.5 hrly. So she is such a dream. Also she was burping well after her feeds but the last day and a half or so we are having trouble with getting her to burp. Has anyone had any results with infacol or infants friends? I used it with my son, but nothing helped him except losec in the end.
Kauri is 8 days old today,and i tell you what the last 8 days have gone alot quicker than the 8 days she was overdue! I still cannot beleive that she was born on 29th Feb, and will only get her proper b'day every 4 years! We were in the local paper for it hehe.
To answer Gizmokel's q's.
*Does you bub have a dummy?
Yes, and it helps when she is acting like she wants a feed, and i know she cant be hungry. Only thing is she likes it to fall asleep, and then spits it out, but if she wakes, she wants it back! But not always .... thank god.
* Are you trying to fellow a feed/play/sleep routine?
Not really at the moment, she is only 8 days old and i am just going with what she wants at the moment, feeding on demand, but waking her if she goes over 4 hours.
* How long is your bubs awake time including feeding and nappy changing etc?
Dont know really. She generally feeds for 10-20mins, i change her, and then offer the other side, which she rarely takes. There have been times where she has been awake for a couple of hours, but mostly she is only awake for about half an hour to an hour.
Well she is starting to stir for a feed now...so better be off to do that.
Gizmo:
* Does you bub have a dummy?
She's like her brother, spits it out. But I did use one for a couple of days when the snacking was abviously contributing to her wind issue, just to help her stretch out a little and have full feeds rather than endless "top ups". She more just mouthed it rather than sucked, but it did the trick.
* Are you trying to fellow a feed/play/sleep routine?
I'm not, but she seems to be doing it herself. Will was the opposite - sleep/feed/sleep/play/feed/sleep... hehe. Bridget's got a pattern. She doesn't have any play time at night thankfully.
* How long is your bubs awake time including feeding and nappy changing etc?
She feeds every 3-4hrs usually, sometimes 2hrly in the afternoon/evening. She feeds for about 15-20mins including burping, then we change her nappy, then chat and play anywhere between 30-45mins. Then she just nods off when she's had enough, sleeping until the next feed. At night she skips the awake bit, just feeds, quick burp and back to sleep.
MrsO - I had a couple of stitches after having Will, and we waited 3 weeks, which was fine. the midwives and dr's weren't overly concerned at my follow ups when I told them we were back in the saddle already. It's really up to you. Obviously you need to be cautious and take it easy if you've had any tearing, wait till the stitches have dissolved, and make sure you use some ky first time round.
For all of you considering chiro, I can't recommend it highly enough. Even just for peace of mind. If we'd known about it sooner for Will, we would have had a much easier first 12mths (instead we had endless sleepless nights, frequent wakings, bad day sleeping, full solid refusal till 13mths, and shocking digestive issues from birth till 11mths...) So definitely do it!!!
Hi All, I should be goignt o bed but am feeling today like all I do is carry Tess around, or feed Tess or try and sleep when Tess sleeps. I am stuffed and know I should go to bed now, but just fel like being me for a while......sorry needed a quick whinge...
MrsO - :fingerscrossed: for you that the nighttime routine doesn't change. I was walking as soon as I could, as the others said, if it hurts don't do it.
elissas - We are nearly at the 6 week mark, but I must admit I am scared se is really going to hurt, dunno why I got that idea in my head, ah well I guess only one way to find out ...
GizmoKel - Does you bub have a dummy? No, Tess has to have a operation in a month or so as she has a cleft lip, & after surgery she will not be allowed a dummy so we are not giving her one now.
* Are you trying to fellow a feed/play/sleep routine?
Tess is in a bit of a routine as far as feed time goes & a pattern is starting to form when she likes to go straight back to sleep after a feed and when she likes to have a kick around on the floor etc, but I am pretty much going with the flow I guess.
* How long is your bubs awake time including feeding and nappy changing etc?
Depends on the time of day anywhere up to 3-4 hours.
mahna mahna - I hope tonight is better for you, we had a screamer for 2 hours last night and that was enough for me. I hate seeing her so upset :hissy:
Laus - I got Infacol today coz Tess has just started getting bad wind, so I have only tried it today and it did seem to help her bring the burps up. She has no problem in the poo dept or with the farting, just the burps, she erally has trouble getting them up, so hopefully this will help. She seems to get really bad pain at the same time each night, anywhere between 6 & 10pm.
Have a good night all !! :smiliedance:
misskittyfantastico
08-03-2008, 21:17
The sex thing? DH and I were just talking about it....with DD,I had stitches, and haemoroids and wouldn't have had sex with Ewan Macgregor for a million bucks! But this time around, no stiches, tears, grazes, when my "loss" stops, I want my snuggle buddy!.......okay, I just overshared, didn't I?:o
Dingo - the wind drops really do work. I think Infacol is for 1mth onwards though? We've been using the Brauers drops, sometimes Infants Friend. Both are really good and can be used from birth :D
The sex thing? DH and I were just talking about it....with DD,I had stitches, and haemoroids and wouldn't have had sex with Ewan Macgregor for a million bucks! But this time around, no stiches, tears, grazes, when my "loss" stops, I want my snuggle buddy!.......okay, I just overshared, didn't I?
:laughing: No you didn't overshare...I would really like my snuggle buddy back too! As Elissas suggested, I might give it a couple of weeks and just take it slowly. That is of course if DH ever gets his sex drive back, he is lagging behind me in that department :p
Dingo - I really understand, sometimes no matter how much you 'should' be sleeping it is really nice to have some 'me' time. Hope you are feeling alright :hugs:
Mahna - Sorry to hear about your shocking night, well done you for getting through it so well! Does you DH get up with you when Jas is so upset? Something tells me we might be heading for something similar soon, although Lori seems to be most upset in the morning and evening, night time seems to be pretty good so far :fingerscrossed: And honestly, get him down to the chiro, it really can't hurt and it can do wonders!
Hi Laus - Glad you found us :wave:
Gizmo - Well we don't have much of any system or routine going seeing as she is only 7 days old. The only thing we have noticed is she has put herself into a rough feeding pattern - 7am - 9am (cluster feeds), 1pm, 5pm, 7am - 9pm (cluster feeds), 1am. And I reckon the last two days she has been more alert and awake between feeds. I wont rule out a dummy, I think we may need to start using it like Elissas did, to get her through until the next feed to minimise snacking, as I reckon her tummy is getting pretty upset from wind. But I am really wary of getting into a dependancy on it to sleep, so I'm going to make sure I take it away when she's getting sleepy.
Must try Brauers drops or Infants friend...we did get some Gripe water which seemed to work wonderfully and we were happy with it...until we realised it is 4.5 %alcohol!!! Our middy reckons it's the alcohol that soothes the tummy, that it's got nothing to do with the herbs. Oh you have to laugh, giving my couple of day old baby booze :o Whoops!
Hi everyone,
Hope evryone is doing well.
I dont have long on here as missy moo is just waking up so just a quickie....
Dingo i couldnt put it better myself as to how im feeling !!! exactly what you said.
Ive also had visitors all weekend which got a bit too much by yesterday arvo.:dizzy:
I just dont have the heart to say 'no more- we'll see you at another time' ..
Ladies just reading over last few posts you all say how good chiro's are for bubs .. Im wondering as I never heard of the chiro thing for bubs before - what are the benefits of going to one ? What do they do ?
Gizmo in answer to your quesi's ;
* Does you bub have a dummy?
when we have offered it to her she wont have a bar of it .
* Are you trying to fellow a feed/play/sleep routine?
Just today we are strating the tizzie hall SAve our sleep routine, but we're not doing it all by the book we have changed a few things and if Sophie cries atm we go straight to her.
* How long is your bubs awake time including feeding and nappy changing etc?
Usually about 1.5 to 2 hours.
In regards to sex ladies i wish i had the same drive as some of you ! :devil6: .. I'm too scared atm to even attempt as my stitches still feel a bit dodgy , i started walking last week with DH and bubs and think i overdid it.
Back to tea tree oil baths I am and taking it easy.
Alrighty well gotta jet .. I hope everyone is having a good day today.
Xx
Duchessa
10-03-2008, 13:07
Hi girls :)
Go you horny ole goats you! I said to dh the day after the birth that I was up for it already, but I haven't managed it yet - I am usually feeding Saskia when we go to bed together and by the time I finish, dh is usually asleep :laughing:
We use cranial osteopathy rather than chiro - it is gentler and more suited to babies and children IMO (though some chiros are trained in cranial osteo too). We all go - my three year olds, myself and the baby (we had our first appt when Sas was 6 days old). Saskia doesn't need much work thanks to her extremely gentle birth, but the twins, who had a more traumatic entrance (internal version & forceps extraction) had a couple of months of intensive treatment, which did them a world of good.
* Does you bub have a dummy?
Saskia hasn't had a dummy at all. I do have a couple in the cupboard should she look like one might benefit, but so far I don't see the need. I would prefer not to introduce one unless it is necessary, particularly in the early days of bfing.
* Are you trying to fellow a feed/play/sleep routine?
* How long is your bubs awake time including feeding and nappy changing etc?
She is demand fed and seems to be falling into a 2-3 hour pattern, though during the day her sleeps are longer and she is awake for 1-2 hours in the first part of the day but longer in the arvo/evening. During the day she is naturally falling into a feed, awake, sleep pattern. In the evening I put her in the Hugabub so she can be awake without grizzling while I do the dinner, bathing and bedtime routines for the girls. sometimes I use the ringsling to feed if she needs to feed during this time as it is a bit easier to bf in than the HAB, but far worse on the back :(
I don't expect to see much of a routine emerge for another couple of weeks, and if we do fall into one, it will be one of her own making, not one that I push her into.
Mahna, I hope that your night crying is settling down. It is awful watching them suffer when you really can't do much about it. Have you tried stomach massage and bicycling? You can lie him on his back and gently lift his legs up with you fingertips under his sacrum and hold him there for a little while to help him pass the gas or poo - it really gives them a lot of relief.
Gizmo, how is the bfing coming along? Getting any easier yet? And how's the bleeding going? That must have been an awful experience when you were out shopping :eek:
MrsO, I reckon there is nothing wrong with gentle exercise - I have been walking since day 5 post birth. I did run about 200 metres down a hill the other day to save a 3 y/o's fingers from being nipped off by our shetland pony, and that wasn't good - my uterus ached for 24 hours after that, but gentle exercise has been great for me. My loss has stopped and I only get a bit achy in the evening of days that i haven't rested. You can also do pelvic tilts now, for your tummy and kegels for the really important bits that you will need when your rampaging libido drags your lucky dh's **** to back bed :laughing:
I have had my sister, BIL and nephew staying for a few days, which has been very nice. The poor love was so clucky - she is ttcing and having a bit of trouble so she was very gooey and cooey with Saskia - it was really lovely to see :bee: but I hope she can get preg soon. Ttcing is no fun.
Phyllis Stein
10-03-2008, 17:43
Hi all,
Tixta, I've found salt baths have been extremely soothing on my 'gina. Really good for any swelling too. :thumbsup: Hope you're enjoying some visitor-free time now! We're so over people popping in unannounced that when someone knocked on the door this arvo, we both hid, even though everything was open. Only after did we realise it was a courier trying to deliver our new ring sling! :laughing:
Mrs O, yep, DH is doing (more than) his share of nighttime duties. He's actually loving taking care of Jas, & dreading going back to work in a few weeks. By the way, I've been meaning to say that Lori is absolutely adorable!!
MissKitty, PMSL!
Duchy, wow, you could write a book about life on your farm! Sounds like dramas abound up there! Thanks for the advice about helping Jas' gas. I'll try it out tonight if necessary. We have tried baby massage, but it's no good once he's well into an episode - we have to get in earlier I think.
Well, our night times have still been a bit difficult. The night before last he only woke every 2-3 hours for a feed, then settled back to sleep really easily after. Bliss! But last night, he had a 3 hour awake/ crying period in which he seemed really distressed. He seems to want the breast, but then fights it when it's offered, so he's obviously associating it with his discomfort. It's very upsetting, :( but we're coping pretty well. We bought some Infant's Friend today (thanks Lis), so we'll give that a go tonight too.
Oh yeah, my wonderful MIL gave me a Meh Tai baby carrier the other day, the same one she used to carry 3 of her 7 children, including my DH (who's 30)! I love that kind of thing... I'm so sentimental! :o
GizmoKel
10-03-2008, 19:33
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the replies to those 3 questions...I was just curious.
Alyssa has been all over the place today and yesterday for day sleeps in that she just doesn't sleep. At night we give her last feed around 11ish then we all go to bed and she settles herself (without the dummy) and sleeps for 3-4 hrs. I'm at a loss for the day though...would the heat have anything to do with it even though we have the aircon on a fair bit?
LOL at sex thats the last thing on my mind!
Duchessa - I'm expressing all her feeds and thats working for us atm even though I think I'm slowly going insane. The bleeding is better though it has its moments when I think it could happen again but it doesn't. I'm just so glad I was wearing pants at the time as shorts would've been very embarassing. We went to the shops today and I wore pants even thoughb it was 37 degrees just in case.
Has anyone else found at times (TMI) they bleed more than others? Like sometimes I think the bleeding has almost gone then it comes back bright red again..is that normal?
Also to those with a toddler how are you going with a them and a newborn? I'm finding it very hard and I know I am being completly how I didn't want to be and I hate myself for it. I find myself snapping at her and just getting grumpy and having no patience. She is being more naughty and very testing but yeh..its just so hard.
Well DH is settling Lorelei so I have about 5 minutes to post - for the sake of time saving I am just going to multiquote :D
MrsO, I reckon there is nothing wrong with gentle exercise - I have been walking since day 5 post birth. I did run about 200 metres down a hill the other day to save a 3 y/o's fingers from being nipped off by our shetland pony, and that wasn't good - my uterus ached for 24 hours after that, but gentle exercise has been great for me. My loss has stopped and I only get a bit achy in the evening of days that i haven't rested. You can also do pelvic tilts now, for your tummy and kegels for the really important bits that you will need when your rampaging libido drags your lucky dh's **** to back bed
:p He is a lucky bugger - now I just have to convince him to go for it! Thanks for the tips about exercise, I'm really enjoying my daily walk and feel like getting into some tummy toning exercises. Shall try what you suggested.
I too love your stories of life on the farm - it must be an incredible world.
Mrs O, yep, DH is doing (more than) his share of nighttime duties. He's actually loving taking care of Jas, & dreading going back to work in a few weeks. By the way, I've been meaning to say that Lori is absolutely adorable!!
Thank you! Of course it goes without saying that Jas is just gorgeous too!
I understand entirely what you mean about unexpected visitors :banghead: I really don't mind having people come over but my FIL insists on popping in unannounced. One day DH actually had to send him away, I was lying in bed in my knickers with an upset baby and we were about to have a bath. Common courtesy people!
Great to hear your DH is super involved with bubs care, so is mine. God, sometimes I have to drag her off him :laughing:
Has anyone else found at times (TMI) they bleed more than others? Like sometimes I think the bleeding has almost gone then it comes back bright red again..is that normal?
Absolutely! On day 5 is almost disappeared (just yellow fluid) and then it was back, some hours heavier, some hours lighter. I've been told that is pretty normal, and it can even come back after it's been gone for quite a while.
Tixta - I forgot to quote you but you asked about the chiro. Basically it is just a very gentle massage, certainly no bone cracking for the babies :D Some people swear by chiro's, some people don't get much out of it. My DH gets INSTANT relief, I don't really find any difference. But it has been shown to be really benificial for sleeping/feeding/tummy issues in babies. My opinion - it can't hurt! ;)
Move over Mahna, it's my boasting session! We had some professional shots done today of Lori, I went expecting to end up frazzled after having her chuck a tanty - BUT she slept for the entire thing! I was so happy, what a good little girl she is!
Apart from now when she is chucking a spack...must go...
purplemelly
10-03-2008, 20:44
Hello to all the Feb Mums and Bubs. I have finally found the time to get around to posting here.
We welcomed little Patrick James into the world on the 24th.
He is now 15 days old and is doing really well with his feeding and sleeping.
Looking forward to getting to know you all.
Melanie
*~alegna~*
10-03-2008, 21:17
:wave: Everyone, I know I've technically got a January Baby now but just read a few of the posts & thought I'd throw my 2 bobs worth in.
Gizmo~ I understand re: toddler. DS is 21mths & is JUST starting to calm down around Gabbi & be gentle. It's really hard to try & entertain him & BF her or to get both of them in the car & to an appt! :dizzy: hehe, why do we do it?! If you ever need a sound off or to compare notes I'm about.
MrsO & Duchessa ~ Go frisky girls ey.! You gave me a nice giggle. Gabbi has just hit 7wks y/day & I'm OK again. DH is less "anxious" these days shall we say:D
I'm loving some of the names you girls chose, just lovely.
Re; Rountines. Gabbi is just starting to unveil a lovely one for us. Feed 1st thing then a Nice awake 1hr or so in the morning & then feed other side & sleep. she then just really feeds third hrly & sleeps for the rest of the day until 4ish them another 1hr or so awake, other side top up. Bath & Full feed before bed. sleeping a great chunk now of a night. Last night was 7.15pm-2am fantastic! So differnet to my DS who was a terrible :barf:
Anyway....Glad to read everyone is getting used to there little blossoms. Take care xox
Duchessa
11-03-2008, 07:00
OMG, I've just got to clarify that the **** was @rse, and not another part of dear MrsO's dh's anatomy :o:o:o:o:o
OMG, I've just got to clarify that the **** was @rse, and not another part of dear MrsO's dh's anatomy :o:o:o:o
:laughing: Oh, I just automatically assumed it was @rse, my sleep deprived mind can't come up with anything more interesting than that! :laughing:
Hello everybody ,
Has anyone else found at times (TMI) they bleed more than others? Like sometimes I think the bleeding has almost gone then it comes back bright red again..is that normal?
Yup Gizmo mine is like this.. goes almost away and Im down to regular pads but then whoa ..back to the libra Goodnights again.. and (sorry really TMI) but I passed a massive clot type thing half the size of a tennis ball the other day .. I was very scared , rang post natal .. they said it was quite normal but if you start bleeding alot (like coming out like wee sorta thing) then go straight to docs/hospital.
Thanks MrsO about chiro info.. have to check it out and find one in my area.:thumbsup:
:laughing: mahna about visitors and hiding from them!!! sounds like a good idea and yeah I have been doing the salt baths too ;) how's your ring sling ???
hello purplemelly and congrats to you :D
I hope everyone else in here is going well today.
Phyllis Stein
11-03-2008, 11:48
Tixta - I passed a huge clot last night too! It was very scary, and we rang the hospy - they told us to bring it in, which we did - got told the same thing you did, about it being normal, & just to watch for increased bleeding. Still, I'm walking around very gingerly today. The funny thing is, my little post-baby pot belly is noticeably smaller today!
ETA. Forgot to say Tixta, the ring sling is great! It's a Maya Wrap, and so far, Jas has taken to it well. He doesn't like the Hugabub style wrap much, but loves the Meh Tai.
GizmoKel
11-03-2008, 19:49
Hi :)
Tixta and Mahna Mahna its scary isn't it!?!?
TMI again but I started bleeding again a fair bit like dripping out today and passed a few smaller clots but then it stopped thankgod...the last thing I want now is a D/C.
Alyssa has actually slept today..I think she dislikes the hot weather. Well I hate it so why wouldn't she I guess.
Tmw we have our check up so I'm hoping she has put on more than last weigh ins dismal 30g. If not I'm going to be thinking my milk has serious problems.
Hello Purplemelly and welcome :wave:
Alegna - It is hard isn't it...I don't think I realised just how hard it would be before it happened ;) Kyla is very gentle etc and loves helping but its just the entertaining and attention seeking behaviour thats hard but I know its completly normal. And because I'm expressing every feed we never seem to get anywhere..thankgod DH is still home as it takes a good hour to express and feed let alone getting ready to go anywhere. And expressing times always seem to fall at the same time she wants food!
Take care everyone
Hey Girls, I'm baaaaaaack!
Just a quicky though, sleep is precious as you all know. I haven't had a chance to read all the posts yet but hope to in a day or 2 but hope you guys are all well and having fun with your babes. Mackenzie is feeding like a trouper, back to her birth weight by 5 days old and gained another 180gms by day 10 today, little porker. I have even had a couple of nights where she has slept 6 or 7 hours in a row. (hope tonight is another of those nights) I do tend to spend 1 3 hour session a day just sitting and feeding/changing bums/burping/cuddling but it seems to be at a different time every day so you never know what you are gonna get done.
Fortunately my DH went back to work today, fell like I can get back into some sort of routine, well that is if the darn visitors would stop calling by. It would be so good just to have one single day where the door bell doesn't ring, I know people mean well but really, if they'd just come to the darn hospital to see me like they were supposed to it would all be a lot easier.
better go and have a shower in peace and hit the sack.
dormouse
12-03-2008, 00:27
Hi girls!
I have finally found time to post here! I have only had a quick read of your posts but I will trey to sit down & have a good read soon. From what I have read, you all sound like you are doing really well & I hope that those of you who have been having feeding troubles are doing better now.
Well, Talen is nearly 5 weeks old already!!! It has flown by so far! He has been a really good baby up until now. I think he is having tummy problems the past few days because he has gotten really grizzly & is usually asleep or crying. It is getting to be hard to get anything done because he is having more awake periods & isnt happy unless he is being held. I am hoping this will settle down soon.
Ava is getting a bit restless & impatient with me because I am spending so much time with Talen & she isnt getting the attention she is used to. She seems to have picked up that we go running to Talen everytime he cries so she is trying to do the same. Drives me crazy sometimes but I have to remember that she has gone through a huge change in her life too so I am trying to go easy on her.
Otherwise, she is absolutely in love with her little brother & is actually a pretty big help to me in fetching nappies, dummies etc. She is always asking to hold Talen & gives him kisses constantly.
Talen is feeding well & sleeps really well at night. Only usually waking once for a feed & going straight back to sleep afterwards.
We have startd using our MCNs now & they are sooo cute on him! I have mostly OSFA & they look so big on his little butt. It is adorable!
Looking forward to reading more about your little bubbas!
Hey Dormouse, Fletcher has this little ritual with kids including his sister, when he decides to kiss a child it is somewhere between a Japanese bow and a head butt! Needless to say we are trying to get him to be gentle with Mackenzie. And when ever she shuts her eyes he tries to open them, boys are so rough.
Hi everyone, just a quick post. There never seems to be enough time to sit down and reply to everyone's post these days.
Sounds like everyone is doing well. We need to see some more pics of these gorgeous bubbas!
I too have been having the 'oh my bleeding has pretty much gone' and then that afternoon I will get a heavier flow back! Very frustrating. I also passed a golf ball sized clot, but asked the ECHN about it, and she said its normal, but if i passed any more i should get it checked out.
Kauri is 12 days old today, and for the most part she was going really well, feeding well and sleeping well (she was doing anywhere from 5-6.5 hours overnight), but the last two days, out of no where she changed and turned into how my son was as a baby, who suffered from severe reflux. She has been screaming all afternoon and into the night until around 2am ish, wanting to comfort feed like every hour and a half (and my boobs want to fall off), and only i can settle her, which really takes its toll.
When she does finally go off, its really hard to reason with a 22month old to be quiet, as they just dont get it, and i too have been the evil mother who has been a bit snappy at him, and i know its not his fault, but when he is naughty, he needs to know it is not acceptable, its just that half the time you know he is acting out because I have been spending so much time with the baby. Catch 22!
I'm sure it will all get better soon, just doesnt feel like it at 1am and you are still trying to get her to settle down, have a toddler in the next room you dont want to wake, are getting next to no sleep, and have to do it all again tmw! We are taking her to the gp today, to get her assessed as it seems to help when we gave her half a ml of mylanta after a feed (on advice from dr). So looks like another reflux baby in the making, only this time we are going to get onto it alot earlier than with my DS.
DH goes back to work next Monday, so i'm not really looking forward to that, and i am really enjoying him being off.
Well, little miss has just woken for a feed, so off i go.
Hope the rest of you have a great day!
Here are a few pics of my little girl.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/blhiller/Kauri/SV200136.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/blhiller/Kauri/SV200131.jpg
And one of my two cheeky monkeys
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j4/blhiller/Kauri/05032008008.jpg
mythreelittlemonkeys
13-03-2008, 11:08
Also to those with a toddler how are you going with a them and a newborn? I'm finding it very hard and I know I am being completly how I didn't want to be and I hate myself for it. I find myself snapping at her and just getting grumpy and having no patience. She is being more naughty and very testing but yeh..its just so hard.
this sounds like here...I have been offline for a week so just catching up on the posts...
Things not really improved here...still not sucking on the breast and pathetically drinking from a bottle...seen LC heaps but she is at a loss to why he wont do it...infact she coming today, she has spoken to speech therapists about some exercises we may be able to do...Holden is 4 weeks today and I feel bit robbed really...seems to be a blur of tears, frustration and continously trying to feed him, then having to resort to ebm in bottle and then pump more for next feeds...and my poor baby girl is really suffering from all this too, she has completely changed character, is getting nightmares, sweats and generally pushing all the limits...and with no Dh to relieve me at night it just seems like a neverending battle...i am beginning to think I may have to make a decision soon about the whole BF thing...I cant believe i am here really as DD fed so well for so long...but it is really impacting on the whole experience and my DD's life too and I am sure feeds shouldnt take 2 hours...the only bonus is he is a trooper with sleeps (except early morning) and despite a bit of wind seems to settle well...I have resorted to a happy baby cherry dummy to alleviate a bit of the wind and seems to work for him...though it falls out PDQ as he cant suck that really well either.
I never knew motherhood could make you feel so guilty...until last few weeks...so thats why I think I need to take a long sharp look at the BF thing and make some sort of decision...though the thought of expressing for 12 months till he is 1 is a bit daunting too!
I will go back and read everyone elses news...from a brief glance looks like all the Feb babies doing really well which is great! :yelclap::D
Hi Girls,
TillieAndBug - So sorry to hear of the probs you are having. I don't know how you have hung in there for this long. Try not to feel guilty, none of this is your fault and you have gone above and beyond to try and make this work, where so may people just give up at the first sign of trouble. Don't beat yourself up, you are doing a amazing job :hugs:
Laus - Love the photos, your little princess is absolutely gorgeous.
dormouse - I am haring you on the time flying thing, I have my 6 week check on Monday, can't believe it.
To the rest of you super Feb Mummies - Sounds like all is going really well which is great ! About the clots, I had them too and they freaked me out, but the eventually stopped and I also had the on again of again bleeding until the end of 4 weeks when it finally stopped.
Tess is nearly 6 weeks now and I am finding I am getting a feeling, generally when I am really tired, it feels like I have a tampon in that is not inserted properly ??(sorry TMI) also feel like I need to pee really quickly, then get there and hardly anything ?? Anyone else experiencing anything like this ?? I go back to GP Monday so will check it out with her I guess.
Tess has been good, the Infacol seems to work for her. She has a bit of a unsettled time from about 6pm till 10, but then seems to settle. I am trying to wake her during the day after 4 hours for feeds so she will sleep longer at night, but she is bloody hard to wake !!
Back to hospital tomorrow, I really can't be bothered with it, I know I will get there and wait for ages then be in there for 10mins & they will tell mw I can stop taking the clexane. My appt is right on Tess's feeding time and I am honestly a bit anxious about the whole ordeal as we are 1 hr frm hospy. Ah well I guess I should just get over it and do it. :ecomcity::ecomcity:
Take Care all :flowerz:
Hi There,
Me Again, I posted this on the breastfeeding forum, but thought you ladies may be able to help me with my questions ??
Hi All,
First time Mum here, our little one is nearly 6 weeks and we have been b/f really well. I have just started to express so DF can give her a bottle occasionally etc. So I expressed and froze 50mls ( not enough for full feed) earlier in the week. Bub has just had a feed, but only one boob and I want to express now from the other one. Once I have done that can I add today's expressed milk to the frozen milk already in the freezer so that it makes up a full feed or do I have to put today's expressed milk in a new sterilised container ???
And if I do have to freeze in seperate container can the two be mixed when giving to bubs ??
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
13-03-2008, 14:35
Hi Feb mums! I've been reading posts regularly but always run out of time just as I'm about to post. Taj is sleeping and Jai is playing happily so thought I'd update quickly now.
:hugs: to those having troubles with bf. Please dont feel guilty, you have tried so hard!
Tillieandbug I feel badly for my DS sometimes too - he has been a lot moodier/more whingy than normal - seemed for a bit there to have forgotten how to talk and would just cry whenever he wanted anything. We were giving him a bit of leeway considering how much everything had changed for him but behaviour wise he was getting worse and worse so we cracked down for a few days and he is getting better now. It hasnt just been having a new baby, but we've had constant visitors, different people for dinner nearly every night, Dh's cousins all staying overnight as they dont drive and it would be too late to return home by public transport.
I was still feeling really run down, exhausted, nauseous, very tender stomach over a week after Taj was born and where my stitches were was getting worse and worse to the point I was in tears with any walking and if sitting had to sit on a cold pack for the pain. Finally DH insisted on going to the GP and found my stitches had gotten infected and the infection had travelled up into my uterus because it hadnt closed yet and that's why I was feeling so badly. I was embarassed because I had been soooo careful about hygiene to avoid this but the GP said its not a reflection of my cleanliness! So with no sleep and lots of pain I was an emotional wreck. I had been in a lot of pain for the last 3 weeks of my pregnancy and to still not be feeling right I was so over it and just desperate to return to normal! Anyway, the last few days I'm heaps better but have been so happy to feel better I've been running around like a maniac and overdoing it, then by evening I'm a little sore and light-headed.
I'm actually not finding it too difficult looking after the boys. I think after DS1 I became so adept at doing everything one-handed because I was always holding him that I can still get heaps done even while rocking Taj to sleep. I've been really organised too - so I make the bed as soon as we're out of it, dress DS as soon as he's up and shower and dress myself while DH is having cuddles with Taj so I'm ready for the day. I have a bag always packed so if I need to go anywhere it's just a matter of changing Taj, checking Jai's pull-up and off we go.
Taj has been latching on really well since his first feed - I havent had any tenderness in my nipples at all. I've been a little concerned though because his poos are green even when he's having long solid feeds so I'm worried he's not getting much of the fatty hindmilk - also he didnt have a great weight gain - by 16days he was only 100gms above his birth weight. So I made up a batch of the lactation cookies. I just started eating them last night and I've noticed my breasts feel a lot fuller, just waiting to see if it's improving the quality as well. Taj is already 56cms though so very long! He sleeps well now (first week was a nightmare!), normally giving me a 4-5 hr stretch of sleep each night, only feeding once or twice a night.
Jai is so loving with him its great to watch. He comforts him when he's crying and always wants to cuddle him. He says "boobies" whenever I'm feeding Taj and the other day was bf'ing his doll. Funny thing today he was holding Taj in between sides while I was feeding him. I asked for him back saying I had to give him more milk and he said no. So I said to him "well he's hungry - are you going to feed him them?!" just joking (must remember 2yr olds dont get sarcasm) and he lifted his shirt and tried to attach Taj to his nipple!:laughing:
We have DH's cousin living with us - she's been here since New Years Day 2007 - too long for me, we thought it would only be 6months. In DH's culture women do most of the care for children, and if a man is holding a young baby will often think they are doing them a favour by relieving them of baby duties, so I'm wary of her always "helping" my DH and him not getting much boding time with Taj. Also I like to do most things with regards to DS1 (me or DH) to differentiate us as his parents and the significant adults in his life and so he knows that I'M his mum, not her. Anyway....she was very upset complaining to DH last night about me and saying I dont like her picking up the kids and dont trust her and she was crying and everything. Then DH asked her to shower DS1 (probably to show we trust her:confused:) so I went to him and demanded to know what they had been saying (they had been speaking in their language, all I had understood is she was upset about something to do with me and children). *sigh* apparently he explained that it's hard for me if DS1 asks for her and that I want him to know I'm his Mummy, but that with Taj being so little it didnt matter so much if she did things with him. I think it matters just as much as Taj is just learning who we are and forming attachments. Anyway I just wish she would move out as we are so happy when she isnt around. And I dont care what she thinks, they are my kids so I can be as silly and emotional about them as I like! When she pushes one out of her vagina I wont tell her what to do with them! But...Dh wants me to 'try' and reminds me she will be here another year at most then not much a part of their lives, whereas we will be here forever, so there is no chance of them confusing who are their parents.
Sorry for the very long post - its been a while and just needed to get some things off my chest..
I hope all the bubs are doing well and feeding and sleeping better. Has anyone heard about Mumof6 and her bub?
Oh yeah - DH got Taj's first smile! He was so proud of himself! SO cute when he smiles - his whole face lights up:D
Hi Everyone :wave:
I'm struggling to find time to post as I'm sure you all understand! As usual, I'm hopeless at replying to everyone individually (can't even blame my preggy brain now, lol! -maybe it's my sleep deprived brain now?!!).
I'm sorry to hear so many of you have been having feeding dramas. I've been lucky this time but have had hard times with my other 2 so I do understand how awful it can be. I hope you're all finding enough support. Good on you all for trying so hard. You should feel proud, it can really be VERY hard.
I'm going quite well apart from being tired. Eve's lovely and has been feeding well apart from the witching hour in the evenings when she struggles with wind.
My DH has been home the whole time so far since her birth and is back to work on Monday. Feeling a bit scared about this, as he's been pretty much looking after my DS full-time and not sure how I'm going to manage them both on my own. Not sure that I'll be leaving the house for a while, lol!! Great tips though Elissas about keeping bags packed etc. Don't think I can go so far as DS sleeping in his clothes though. He always needs changing after breakky anyway when he has porridge down his front (and in his hair!!)
Sorry I can't remember who was saying they didn't realise how guilty you feel as a mum (was it you mytillieroo?) but just wanted to say :hugs:and that there is always something you can feel like that about but try and focus on the things you're getting right. I like to think of myself as a GEM (good enough mother).
Just remember you're doing the best you can with what you have (and what you know) right now. Don't beat yourself up.
From what I can tell, every Feb 08 mummy is a very sparkly :babydust2:GEM :babydust2:. Even better than good enough actually. Super Mums!!
On the note of funny toddler breastfeeding comments. When my DS first saw me breastfeed he pointed at my boob and said 'What's that? - Evie's eating it'!!
That's all from me folks. Hope it's not too long before I make it back!
PS Does anyone know much about Bowen Therapy and whether it's good for babies? I've had it recommended to me for Eve by a few people but just don't know much about it.
BTW (I just won't get off will I?!!) I've posted my birth story if you want a look. I should add I have moved on a bit more from my feelings about it when I wrote it!
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
13-03-2008, 16:02
Tess is nearly 6 weeks now and I am finding I am getting a feeling, generally when I am really tired, it feels like I have a tampon in that is not inserted properly ??(sorry TMI) also feel like I need to pee really quickly, then get there and hardly anything ?? Anyone else experiencing anything like this ?? I go back to GP Monday so will check it out with her I guess.
I get this! The tampon feeling not the peeing bit. I keep saying to DH it kinda feels like something is there or coming out. My latest theory is maybe I'm still a little swollen inside OR its something to do with my pelvic floor so I need to get onto pelvic floor exercises? I'll be interested to know what your dr says to you about it.
Greenie - I read your birth story, it was amazing but I would have been terrified when the middie reacted like that!:hugs: Another tip, with my DS1 I make our lunches in the morning before DH leaves and drinks ready too in case Taj is really unsettled when DS1 is ready for lunch.
Duchessa
13-03-2008, 16:24
When my DS first saw me breastfeed he pointed at my boob and said 'What's that? - Evie's eating it'!!
:laughing:
Greenie, That made me laugh out loud :D
Dingo, I think the recommendations re adding milk to other milk is to cool it in the back of the fridge and when it reaches fridge temp, pour it in with the frozen milk. You can do it over and over. I hope that there is nothing wrong re your weird feeling - good luck with the appt. BTW, were you on Clexane for the entire preg? I was on it for the first trimester and I am horrified by the damage it has done to the capillaries in my legs :eek:
Jaidevsmum, I'm so glad that you are feeling better - it sounds like you were having a pretty bloody hard time. :hugs:
Tillie&Bug :hugs: Don't ever feel guilty for doing the best that you can.
Laus, Kauri is a gorgeous little munchkin! YOu must be so proud of yourself for achieving your VBAC - you are a light to so many others.
Every thing is going well at our house too. The girls are still a little unsettled and emotional but they absolutely adore their little sister, which makes up for it. Dh goes OS for a week tomorrow, so I get to check out how we manage on our own.
Here's a photo of my three gorgeous girls (http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/Imperatricks/IMG_2673.jpg) :goodvibes:
mythreelittlemonkeys
13-03-2008, 19:39
thanks everyone for your kind words...:yes:
saw LC and I am going to keep offering breast for time being as she has spoken to colleagues at KEMH and others who have said sometimes it can take weeks for bubs to get it and then all of sudden hey presto...I am trying the shields again too...last two feeds have been same old thing tho...no sucking but then take off boob, let down and he screams...and takes whole bottle of EBM...they have told me not to let him do this fake feeding for too long just to keep offering him for 5-10 minutes so he gets smell and feel of boob...
today been much better day for me...Tillie was happy at daycare and Holden and I got a chance to bond a bit...then I went to a meeting where I got some good news about funding for a community project I am involved in...so not all bad!
I get that pain too...but I had a c-section so I putting it down to hormones and things shifting back into place?!? Weird feeling though!
I will do personals next post I promise...just got to dash as H waking up...and Tillie needs to get down from supper...
BTW Duchessa that is a gorgeous picture!
Duchessa -
BTW, were you on Clexane for the entire preg? I was on it for the first trimester and I am horrified by the damage it has done to the capillaries in my legs :eek:
Yeah I have been on since 12 weeks then last few weeks before induction I went onto Heparin, then back on Clexane, hopefully until tomorrow. Can't say I have noticed any side effects, legs or otherwise. Have you had previous DVT ??
Sparrowgal
14-03-2008, 18:36
Hi everyone,
Oops finally found this thread... gosh I'm slow.
Been reading all the old posts, and glad to hear some things have improved for all you BF mummies out there!
Duchy i love your avatar and your posts always make me laugh... you know I actually did think **** was something else not @rse and was a bit agog at that... and great pic!
Tixta and Gizmokel: I have been having bright red bleeding too, everyone tells me lochia should be white-yellow by now but it's still bright red, though not a lot, but sometimes I'm on panty liners and next thing when I'm on the loo clots (small ones) come out and bright red blood... I was worried but I haven't had fevers or big losses and it's not stinky so I haven't done anything yet about it, coz I'm lazy and I feel ok...
Dormouse: I noticed you only have one post, because like me I bet you've been doing the GDUNH (saw you hit 80 *envy!:laughing:)!! It's hogging so much of my computer time, but at least I can do a little bit of it at a time. I tried the Cushie Tushies but still a wee bit big even if i try this zigzag fold thing. How are you finding the Mandys? I like mine, though I can't let DH or MIL or my mother use them because they keep putting it on inside out (they put the brown side outside!)
Mahna: That is a great pic of Jas in your avatar! Every time Erika looks that cute I run for the camera but she starts crying by the time i get back!
Elissas: Wow your BF tips are the best! I love your posts.
Dingo: I hate clexane. I had to have it in hospital and it caused me terrible bruising on my mons (I swear it swelled up to twice its size - so unattractive!) and my wound, and the injections sites would BLEED for a day! Staining my nice Peter Alexander PJs :(
I'm glad my mother came to stay with me for a few weeks (DH went back to work this week) coz she's worried about me post caesarian and doing house moving stuff.
Well, having a caesarian sucks in my opinion. I'm stuck in the house, everyone treats me like an invalid and to top it off i got a wound infection with pus and pain worse than the actual operation so I had to take antibiotics... which I didn't want to do because I know it will get in my breastmilk and give Erika diarrhoea so for the first day i didn't take it but then the redness got worse so i started taking it. And sure enough, Erika has had diarrhoea for the last 2 days and awful nappy rash to go with it :hissy: I feel like a terrible parent. But the course of drugs has finished now so hopefully she can recover, and my wound has stopped weeping and it's much less red. MIL and my mum wanted to do formula for a few days but I want her to be working for her food coz she guzzles the bottle like anything, and both grandmas tend to overfeed her I think. She has put on almost 600g in 3 weeks. And grandmas have been giving her 120mL per feed in formula... is that too much? I think it is but the back of the tin says that's how much they're supposed to get??
Erika is on 4 hourly feeds now and is finally sleeping well at night (feed at midnight, wakes up at 4 for another feed, then she sleeps till 8), but in the afternoon she has been yowling for attention and wants to be walked around in my sling for a few hours.
For all those MCN users, I have to say that I am loving fitteds and covers, I'm scared of pooplosions with the AIOs and pockets.
And I use a dummy with Erika. She likes it to sleep, even though I didn't want to use it. And she probably has about 5 hours awake per day with feeding/nappy change/playing.
I miss cuddling with my DH though. :hugs:God I wish the 6 weeks was up and this bleeding would subside. And I've been trying to be considerate and I'd stay up with Erika till about 4 (so he can get some decent sleep and go to work) then go lie down in bed with him but he's sleeping and doesn't know I'm there!
Anyway HUGS to all the Feb mums.
Duchessa
15-03-2008, 11:06
Hey Sparrowgirl - :o at you thinking I typed **** and not ****! I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time after your c/s. It sounds very hard - and taking antibiotics is awful - make sure you take plenty of probiotics to compensate, it will help prevent the runs and thrush, and yeah, I would agree with you, bm is best, even if laced with antibiotics! Don't worry about her weight gain - Saskia has put on over 500gms in the first two weeks and she is exclusively bfed. :hugs:
Clexane is awful isn't it? It made me quite depressed having to inject myself every day - it is so painful! I didn't have a history of DVT but my fert specialist thought I had a clotting disorder that was causing recurrent mcs (I had 3 in a row while trying to get preg with Saskia) and she prescribed the clexane and aspirin.
My dh is OS for the week and I am pleased to say that I am coping with two three year olds and a 2.5 week old without going completely crazy :D I do miss him being home in the evening and helping with bed time *boo hoo*
Hello Everyone! Finally found where you're all lurking!
For those interested here's a pic of my new arrival!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/aloomba/mumnbub.jpg
We came home Thursday arvo. She's been extra good so far. Sleeping and feeding like a dream. My milk is coming in and aside from a bit of nipple soreness I'm coping.Though the football boobs are a bit awkward!. Layla has a tendancy to be a little lazy when it comes to proper attachment I've been taking it off her if she doesn't do it right. And doesn't she protest about that!:laughing:
Hiya :wave:
Jaidev'sMum - Thanks for the lunch tip, that's a really good one!! I usually do my DDs school lunch the night before, so might start doing DSs too. I'm trying to psych myself up for my first week on my own next week. Think it'll be ok but not sure how we're going to be out of the house for DSs music class at 9am on Tues!!
Sparrowgal - That sucks about the C-sect. Hope it's all settling down. I think I was lucky to escape without one as they probably would have pushed for it if they knew Eve was a face presentation.
I'm loving my fitted nappies and covers too. I tried pockets and AIOs with DS and had major pooplosion/leakage issues. Although I'm being a bit radical this time and trying some EC. My DH thinks I'm nuts but Eve's been pooping and weeing in a potty about every second time I try. I think she's super clever :D. It's also helping with DSs toilet training as he wants to keep up with his little sister, lol!!
Have restrained myself from the GDUNH as last time my family missed me too much :p!!
Duchy - How gorgeous are those curls on your girls?!! Goldilocks eat your heart out!
I had a super night last night. Eve did a 5 hour stretch for me :smiliedance:. Feeling better than I have in ages.
Hope the feeding's going alright for those of you having probs.
BTW Duchessa, you must truly be a super mummy looking after two toddlers and a newborn! I feel guilty for complaining now about handling 1 toddler and a baby when at least my DH will be home at 4.30pm every day!
Nex - gorgeous photo. Congratulations! She's beautiful. Hope the feeding improves really soon. Hang in there! :hugs:
hunter08
15-03-2008, 19:37
Hi all,
Our boy Hunter was born on Valentine's Day and like some of you have said, I can't believe how fast the last four weeks have gone.
I can spend hours just looking at him. Luckily so far he has been really good, although his weight gain was down, and he only really got his birth weight back at 3 weeks. The child health nurse bit in a bit of a spin about it too. But he feeds well, wees and poops like a machine, is happy and alert(when he is awake) and only really cries when he is hungry or wants to be wrapped to go to sleep.
i have been a bit obsessed about his weight, but people have told me to try to not get too caught up in it if all else as above is going well.
we have a health appointment on tues so i will see if i have managed to continue fattening him up.
mythreelittlemonkeys
15-03-2008, 19:47
Another Valentines boy! Congratulations Hunter08 :)
Holden wasnt up to his birth weight until after 3 weeks...but he too is pooing and peeing heaps and pretty content unless hungry or got wind! Awake for a little bit longer every day too...dont get to worried about the weight...sounds like he is perfect :)
Today has been interesting - I have lost my nipple shields (had 3!) God only knows where, and woke up this morning with really sore throat and feeling hot! I had a temp of 39 which has stayed all day despite Panadol...but now going down...not fun with a 4 week old, a very tantrumy toddler and no DH...felt to sick to do anything but feed Holden, put DVD's on for DD and read her stories...couldnt even face going outdoors...hoping feel better tomorrow as I cant feed Holden at all really without shields and the attempts today have been really painful...will need to go to chemist...has anyone tried the avent or pigeon ones...all the chemists in the town only do these not Medela which I had before...and the only chemist I know does them is shut tomorrow...:confused:
GizmoKel
15-03-2008, 19:58
Hi everyone :wave:
Hope everyone is doing good.
We are doing ok. Alyssa still only likes to sleep when she wants but is good at night so I shouldn't complain. I'm in a bit of pain as are stopping the exclusive expressing and DD will be going onto formula.
TilleandBug - Good on you for sticking with the feeding even though I'm sure it must stressful and hard :)
Sparrowgirl - That really sucks about the infection...just what every new mum needs. I hope you are feeling better and not in too much pain. Also Alyssa takes about that amount (120ml) with formula and breastmilk (as her feeds are all bottle).
Duchessa - You are amazing! Being at home by yourself with 3 kiddies!!! I have only managed to be home by myself for a few hours with my 2 and that was hard enough!
Nex - Congratulations!! Your little girl has as much hair and the same colour as my little one :D
Hunter - I was told by my MCHN that any gain is good and that as long as they are happy, alert and having wet and dirty nappies then its all ok so just smile and know you are doing a great job :hugs:
Are any other babies being fed formula? Alyssa has had every 2nd bottle today of formula and every other breastmilk but her last 2 nappy changes she hasn't had a dirty one. Could she be getting constipated already?
And how do I put a picture up on here?
Take Care
GizmoKel
15-03-2008, 20:02
TillieandBug - Aww I hope you are feeling better very soon! Just try rest lot. I can't really help with the nipple shield question as I used a Avent one for 1 feed and that was it but it seemed ok to me...
Hope you get some soon :hugs:
Tixta - Re chiros. Basically, the spine houses the central nervous system, which controls all our functions etc, including physical, emotional, mental... When the spine is out of alignment it can affect lots of things, from physical pain/discomfort, to digestive function, to sleep, to depression and anxiety issues. So it's definitely worth getting checked and adjusted. We find chiro extremely gentle, there is no cracking (as many people believe it to be). Our chiro specialises in a technique called Network Spinal Analysis, which is amazingly gentle, and uses an "activator" tool. It is focussed on gentle adjustment, particularly for babies, the elderly, pregnant women etc. DS loves being adjusted - when we go there he climbs up on the table and lies down on his belly "in position" with a big grin on his face. I can say that chiro has greatly reduced wind/colic issues in both our children (plus lots of other stuff for DS) and in friends' children too. Bridget is still getting a few pains here and there in the afternoon, but nothing like she was - it's more discomfort now than all out pain.
Mahna Mahna - that's so sweet re your MIL's Meh tai carrier. Bridget is already quite happy in the ring sling, which DS loved too. Makes everything a lot easier - she falls asleep in minutes in the sling, and transfers easily to the basinette then. Oh, and I switched to Brauers Colic Relief the other day - thought I'd try it out - and it's amazing!! And it's corrected the cluster feeding, which she was partly doing to overcome her wind.
purplemelly - welcome to you and to Patrick! Congratulations :)
Gizmo - re bleeding, that happened to me about 10 days after Bridget was born, and lasted a day or 2. I got a little stabbing feeling in my pelvis and passed a little clot. But thankfully that was all and the bleeding disappeared again. Very weird.
Sorry to hear so many of you have such inconsiderate visitors. Even my Mum sms's before coming over! I don't like to even ring people when they've had a baby in case they're napping. I usually sms or email instead. Can't believe so many people can be that thoughtless!
Will is also feeling a little frazzled - so I understand where you gals with toddlers are coming from. He gets bored and frustrated with me at times, and whiney. And because he's the strong silent type (ie. not very good communicator/talker), we have a bit of a communication gap, which frustrates him more. The up side of that is that he has realised he needs to learn to talk more and is trying. Otherwise he's gentle with Bridget, looks for her for cuddles and kisses. This morning he came to me whispering "baby, baby" (he always whispers it, so cute), to tell me that Bridget was stirring in her bassinette. How sweet! Who needs a baby monitor ;)
Laus - those pics are great! What beautiful children you have!
Jaidevsmum - sorry to hear that you're being overcrowded :( Hope it all gets better soon.
Dingo - Duchessa is right re the ebm. Fridge first, then add it to the frozen. Make sure though that it's not all foremilk, or you'll be in for a rough ride!!
Duchessa - you too have beautiful children. What amazing eyes!!
Hi Nex! Again, another beautiful bubba!
Greenie - congrats on the sleep. how wonderful for you :D
Hunter08 - please don't stress about weight if he's happy and healthy. Maybe check out the WHO website for the new weight charts, which are based on breastfed babies rather than babies in the 70s who were mostly on the old cement-style formula...
Tillieandbug - hope you're feeling better very soon!
Hi to anyone I might have missed.
Oh and an update on us hehe!!
Bridget is going really well and put on 220gms at her appt on Wed, and that was in one week. Piggy! She is sleeping well and starting to average 4hrs between feeds, unless it's hot, or late afternoon.
I'm settling back into some kind of pattern now that DH is back at work, and I really didn't miss not having to iron shirts and make lunches in the morning for the time he was home!
Here are some photos of us all taken recently!
http://s113.photobucket.com/albums/n228/goldenjungle/Bridget%20and%20Us/
Someone asked about green poo awhile back as well? From my experience with both bubs, green poo was directly related to how much sugar I was eating. So if I indulged too much, and that includes lactose and fructose sugars etc, the wind would get worse and the poo more green. That's why babies cluster or snack feeding can do it too, as it can increase their foremilk/lactose intake and that's sugar as well. Hope this helps! Be careful of the sugars in sauces when cooking or getting take away, in bread, yoghurt etc, lots of seemingly healthy foods...
Anyway, I'm off to bed. DS tonight decided he wanted to play the "get out of bed and have mummy chase me back with a stern look on her face" game. He was devastated when mummy didn't go into his room, but stood at the door instead. It was game over and he is finally asleep. Hard to be mad when they are so cute though - standing in the doorway to the study with his teddy grinning from ear to ear, and squealing with delight as he ran back to bed...
So both kiddies asleep now and DH and I off to bed ... ;)
Have a good night everyone!
Make sure though that it's not all foremilk, or you'll be in for a rough ride!!
Can someone explain the foremilk/hindmilk thing to me? L never drains my whole boob so would that mean she is only getting foremilk? What does this mean in terms of her nutritional intake and her wind probs? Can I do anything about it?
I'll try to come back later to do personals but I have a few seconds now so I will update on us. L is an amazing baby, she is so settled, sometimes to fault :laughing: She is more than happy to go up to 6 hours between feeds, particularly at night, so getting enough milk into her can be tricky. Still not up to birth weight, in fact we haven't had much weight gain at all, but I suppose we aren't losing weight so that is a good thing. And she is so settled so she's obviously happy. Not to mention we started out at 4.2 kilos so we've got a bit to play with :p
Life is pretty easy at the moment, we can easily get out of the house to do things and find ourselves even getting a bit bored! DH is just wonderful, as always. I don't think I could do this without him. I'm just not thinking about when he goes away, I take my hat off to you ladies who have your hubbies gone now, at least L will be about 8 weeks old when I'm left on my own.
Alright, my breasts are being called so I must go. Hopefully I'll get back on later...
Duchessa
16-03-2008, 10:20
Hey MrsO, I had a lot of feeding probs associated with too much milk (believe it or not!) with the twins and found out a bit about fore/hindmilk production... Too much foremilk can definitely add to wind problems and could be why her weight is static as hindmilk is higher in both protein and fat.
There isn't a sharp distinction between fore and hind milk - it just gradually changes as the breast empties. Basically, the emptier the breast the higher the fat content. With the girls, I had to express off the first 20-30mls before I fed them as they were getting far too much foremilk (and sugar) and not enough fat and protein. Expressing can create a bit of a vicious circle as milk production remains high perpetuating the problem, but so long as you don't escalate the amount you pump off, they will grow into the increased volume over time anyway. I kept up with pumping off the first portion for about 6-8 weeks after they were born - their feeding problems settled after that. If they were still hungry after the feed, I would feed back the expressed milk. Part of the problem I had with them was due to them falling asleep before they finished their feed, starting them on richer milk meant they didn't just snack on foremilk every couple of hours.
There is some good info at kellymom.com.
MrsO - Duchessa is right. And she beat me to it while I was finding a link to Kellymom. Hehe.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/foremilk-hindmilk.html
mythreelittlemonkeys
16-03-2008, 11:54
that was an iinteresting read Duchessa and ellisas!:yes:
i had to go to doctors at 8 this morning as still feeling icky as...got bacterial tonsilitis ( steptoccocus or something) so on antibiotics which horrid as poor holden going to get them too unless i give him formula...which would defeat the past 4 weeks!
have any of you ever been on antibiotics whilst bfeeding?
Sparrowgal
16-03-2008, 16:14
Tillie&Bug: I was about to say hope you feel better but I just read your post! You poor thing, tonsillitis with a new baby in this heatwave! Anyway, Duchy had good advice about antibiotics (coz I just finished a course of antibiotics for my infected wound which is now better but still looks horrible and raw and red), and I breastfed for the whole time, and yes bubs will get the antibiotics. After all your BF success now I think you should just keep BF! And take extra special care of Holden's bum coz Erika had horrible diarrhoea nappy rash (I did about 16 changes a day to try and avoid it but still got it - but it's cleared up now yay :smiliedance:)
Duchy: you are super mum indeed! Reading your post and thinking about it makes me tired!:laughing:
Welcome Hunter and I'm glad your bub is pooing and weeing heaps, that's a good sign! Better she make poos and wees and seem healthy than put on weight and not poo and wee!
Erika is really unsettled today and last night. How do I know if it's wind pain? She seems to have TONS of gas (she farts louder than DH!) and she is crying today when i'm trying to BF her too... though poopy nappy may have had something to do with that. She seems to be worse/more upset when lying flat on her back.
And boobs are weird. I expressed yesterday and could only get 80mL and my mum was saying oh that's so little, no wonder she's hungry (when normally i can get 100-120) and today I expressed 160mL... sometimes it's satisfying seeing a bottle go into her coz at least i KNOW how much she's getting. Is this weird yoyo supply at 3 weeks normal? Thought it would settle down a bit by now.
misskittyfantastico
16-03-2008, 18:42
Cor blimey! Much chatter and news to catch up on!
TillieAndBug - you're doing an amazing job - your perserverence is to be applauded:yelclap: Mother guilt just sucks.....
With antibiotics, yup, I've taken them while BFing, no probs.
Sparrowgal - sorry you're having a hard time after your c-section - I second Duchessa re the probiotics....magic stuff! With windy pain, Hamish brings his knees up to his chest and hollers! H'e much happier upright, so my hug-a-bub wrap is perfect.
Duchessa - Those girls of yours will break some hearts....they're just precious. Really interesting with the hind/foremilk...Hammers feeds every 2 hours give or take...he has a couple of stretches of 3 and abit, his poos are mustard yellow though, so I guess that means he's getting the right balance and is just a gutsy guts? He seems to be getting more wind and is power spewing more too....
Oh and you ARE wonderwoman....maybe I'll get admin to do some sneaky name changing. You should be ever so proud of your fine self.
Nex! - She came! Congratulations! Layla is just beautiful.
Congrats and howdy Hunter08 and purplemelly:yelclap:
elissas and MrsO - glad things are going so well!
Gizmokel - DD had formula and got pretty blocked uo initially....as for photos, you need a photobucket (or similar) account and then you can upload them.
Things here are going ok....DH is working stupidly long hours (getting ready for seeding - farmer) and we're lambing. Millie is doing pretty well, she's high maintenace but coping well with all the changes. Hamish is feeding like a machine and awake a lot at night....ah well, he'll grow and change!
Here are some piccies
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/misskittyfantastico_2006/DSC04026.jpg
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/misskittyfantastico_2006/DSC01239.jpg
Take care special mummas xx
Phyllis Stein
16-03-2008, 19:58
Oh wow, so much to read! DH just made carrot cake, so I won't have time to do personals tonight (:D), but I am keeping up with everyone & am happy to see most of us are going well.
Well, I'm so in love with Jas it hurts! He's just such a pookie, chubby little tyke, & he sleeps with his hands tucked under his chin like a cherub --> link (http://picasaweb.google.com/lichen44/JasperSharedAlbum/photo?authkey=fYQgi716yLU#5176017480257169202)<--, and he makes little whimpery sounds when he gets near my breast, & I just LOVE him... :bee:
We are having a few feeding issues now though... I have so much to learn. Jas feeds every 2-3 hours, right through the night too. The thing is, most feeds average only around 10-12 minutes before he pulls off or goes to sleep. If I wake him for the other side, he's not interested, so it's like he's full. He has heaps of wet/ pooey nappies, and his poo has those little curdy seed things in it that apparently mean he's getting enough hindmilk. Also, during a feed, he pulls off quite often - I think I have a very fast/ strong let down, makes it hard for him to keep up... oh, and also, sometimes after a feed, he's very unsettled, and cries while arching his back & head - makes me think it's reflux... whew!
All I can say is, bf is much more complicated than I imagined, but I do love it :goodvibes:
Ok, better go & eat cake!
Oh, some more photos for good measure. :D
http://picasaweb.google.com/lichen44/JasperSharedAlbum/photo?authkey=fYQgi716yLU#5176017600516253522
http://picasaweb.google.com/lichen44/JasperSharedAlbum/photo?authkey=fYQgi716yLU#5176017664940762978
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
17-03-2008, 15:26
Have a few minutes to spare as the boys are both asleep so I should get started on dinner. I was sleeping too but DS1 cried out "mummy" after an hour and continued sleeping but I'm wide awake now. It's the first time they've overlapped their sleeps for so long - normally I get 20-30mins.
With DS1 I was chatting with DH last night and we've decided to cut back completely on our expectations of behaviour so I'm not spending all day in a battle of wills with him. As he settles down more we will gradually reinstate them. SO things like throwing toys down the stairs and shovelling all the sand out of the sand pit I will ignore, but still enforce the whole dont play with the dvd player or blinds kind of ones. Also we are trying to think of things to keep him occupied while I'm feeding Taj as he's figured I'm kind of immobile then. He had a bit of a meltdown when we were leaving playgroup today and my heart just broke because this is so not my like my little boy.
Taj is doing really well - getting less wind pain - our 6 o'clock-ish feed is the one he seems to be in pain and pulls of a lot crying, so I'm going to try giving him infants friend before the feed tonight. His poos all except one for over a week now have been bright grass green - however he feeds 20mins a side and has those curdy seedy bits in the poo too so I'm thinking he must be getting enough hind milk. I've really tried to cut down my sugar intake a lot and it hasnt changed the poo but might be why he's having less wind.
Oops, DS1 awake, will be back later
Mel
mythreelittlemonkeys
17-03-2008, 15:51
Mel i totally hear you with the toddler issues...I too am allowing certain behaviours and just staying strict with a few things (ie that are dangerous)...I am finding it impossible to find things to occupy her for long enough for me not to rush feeds (which I cant as I have to bf, then bottle feed, then express)sadly the tv has been on alot more than I would like it ever to be on...and her busy box and activities no longer entertaining her...ho hum...
My other worry today is that my milk has dropped right off I am only able to express 80ml max when has been 120 -150ml and he needs the milk as not feeding off boobs, and wont settle with less...would antibiotics do this or is it just because I am sick with tonsilitis...anyone????
mahna & misskitty - those piccies are gorgeous!
sparrowgal hope Erika a bit more settled today
Gotta fly he is crying - which is almost unheard of!
spk soon Georgie
Mel - i too hear you on the toddler behaviour issues. My DS is only 11 days younger than yours, and I am too trying to let things go that dont matter so much, but am keeping with the ones that really matter. But hard as I try I find myself getting so frustrated, because when i ask him to stop doing the things he shouldnt be, he tends to do it more, just to get a rise out of me. Some days I feel like all i do is yell at him, and its not fair as he is adjusting to not being number one and has been so fantastic with her, its us that is copping the hits and aggressive behaviour, from a normally unagressive boy. It will all take time I guess.
Tillie - I too have noticed that my milk has decreased this week, and when i used to be able to express around the 100ml mark easily, i am now only able to express around 50-80ish after feeds - and thats from both breasts!
Mahna & misskitty - what cute bubbas! I just love them at this age, and love to see other bubs that are the same age as my little one. If only they stayed this small!
To everyone else - hope you are all going well and getting more and more sleep everynight! Share some more pics around!
Update on us. Kauri was going really well on Zantac, as she too has been diagnosed with reflux, and then after 2 days it stopped working, and her doasge was upped, and that didnt seem to make any difference, and she was particularly unsettled yesterday afternoon and early evening. Then as it got later in the evening, her reflux tends to settle a bit and she sleeps for like 5 or so hours has a feed, and then goes back to sleep for another 3 hours. So despire her being really unsettled in the day, atleast i am not a zombie from lack of sleep. Although i have been going to bed late when she is sleeping peacefully, so making myself tired anyway.....silly me. Had to have a 'nanna nap' this afternoon. So now from tmw she is going on a different medication, and hopefully it will help her more than the Zantac.
She has had a pretty settled day today though, and i think it has to do with the fact i have refrained from having any caffeine at all, so tmw i will not have any, and we will see, as it is a known thing to cause the reflux to get worse. Anyway DS has done a poo, so i'm off.
Hope the rest of you all had a good day!
GizmoKel
17-03-2008, 20:18
Hi everyone,
Won't do personals now as not in the best frame of mind at the moment but its all my own doing.
Have stopped expressing all feeds as I said in a post a few days ago and I started out just trying to cut out some feeds but was getting engorged so I decided to just stop expressing altgether. I know STUPID but its what I did with DD 1 and it worked then...just had a fair few days of heaps of pain.
So I'm drinking sage tea and using cabbage leaves and taking Nurofen and just hoping its working! I would express little bits but I don't want them to think I need more milk.
I still feel guilty about the fact I'm doing this but I know its best for my mental health (even if thats hard for some of you to understand as I can imagine it would be.)
Bit worried about the fact Alyssa hasn't done a poo since early this morning but she doesn't appear to be in any pain etc so I'm just going to have to keep an eye on her.
Take care everyone
mythreelittlemonkeys
17-03-2008, 23:59
:hugs: GizmoKel I understand totally! :hugs: In the long run you have to weigh up what is going to be the best for baby all round...and you miserable and unhappy wont be...why would you risk the bond with your baby...I have to say you have done really well (as it is what I keep telling myself) to have expressed every feed up until now...each baby is different and sometimes for whatever reason the boobs and the babe just dont synchronise however hard you try and however much you want them too...for me the hardest thing is the fact DD was BF til 14 months...but i am getting my head round that...sometimes when people have not had problems, or have been lucky enough to have it fall into place they dont understand/realise that at some point despite the fact you only wanted to BF your baby you have to formula feed them...it doesnt mean you any worse the mum. I found out from my mum who I thought BF us all that infact only 1 of my sisters was BF past 12 months and only 1 past 6 months, my sister and I she had problems and dried up & had to feed otherways...we are both above average bright, healthy, few illnesses in general,etc etc...
sorry just kinda empathising with you whilst exorcising some of my own demons!
Laus - I hope you find some meds that work...that must be pretty tough...DD had mild reflux but she didnt need drugs, she saw the chiro for 4 months...
My tonsils still so sore and covered in horrid sores...DH flew in tonight and is currently asleep snoring...keeping me up! so no rest even when he home :laughing: Fingers crossed the two littlies still not ill...so hoping it has escaped them...just hoping my milk supply increases again as otherwise not quite sure what I am going to do...as he still mucking about for over 1/2 hour on boob then taking 100 or so mls...so obviously getting diddly squat...
yummyyumyums
18-03-2008, 11:44
:wave: Hi All!
I haven't managed to get in here for ages!! The darn heat wave has been keeping me on my toes with trying to keep our little one nice and cool - sadly she has a heat rash now :( poor bubba.
So it means I've not had a chance to catch up on reading all the posts since then - can't believe how many pages there are in here now!! You girls have lots to say!! ;) I hope you're all doing great and that your bubbas are growing well, filling your hearts and homes with lots of love. :bee:
Chausiku is now 5wks old - can you believe it!! Last week she was given her health check and here are her results:
Weight - 3940g (8lb 11oz)
Length - 53cm
HC - 38cm
Her weight and HC are still lower than when my son was born - scarey thought eh!!
She has been gaining an average of about 280g per week. She is now 690g above her birth weight, 5cm longer than her birth length, and her HC is 2cm larger than when she was born.
She suffers from a little bit of wind pain now and then, which makes me want to cry especially when I see her little face screw up and she pulls her knees up to her chest and makes the most heart wrenching sounds. Hubby says it's beautiful the way I love her and respond to her needs - bless him! I confess I couldn't do it without him, he is my rock! This morning he said he never realized just how much of a full time job it is to take care of a baby, says he doesn't know how I do it but that I'm doing a wonderful job. :valentine: How do I explain that taking care of her is such a pleasure because I'm so in love with her! And that he helps to make the experience so special because he's giving me something I've never had before. Yes I have two other children, but I've never had a partner stand by me and help make us a united family - it makes a heck of a difference! I could write a book about all the reasons why I love that man!
Anyway, for anyone who's interested, you can see a short video of our little dolly on her play mat - taken last week - by visiting this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbNBtCyYyrc
Wishing you all a lovely day :hugs:
mahna - took a peek at your little one's pics, he's so cute!! Well done!!
Hi All.
Just a quickie.
Mel - Like you and others, I am having an interesting time trying to entertain my DS while feeding Eve. He has been testing my limits too. It's so hard when you can't leap up and get to them quickly isn't it?! Maybe we should start a list of ideas about how to entertain toddlers. I don't have many ideas to start with though as most of mine haven't been working so far!
Laus - I hope the reflux is settling down. Would you mind telling me what sort of symptoms your little one has had? A Dr yesterday prescribed Zantac for Eve saying she had reflux. I just took her because she has a cold (snuffly nose, cough etc). She has vomited a bit but only a few really big ones and I don't want to put her on medication if it's not really necessary. What have things been like for you?
Wish I could hang around and chat more, but kiddies call..
Kylie
mythreelittlemonkeys
18-03-2008, 14:01
2 sucessful breastfeeds! no bottle :yes: not sleeping so long after but hey if I have to feed him a bit more but he on the boob it all worth it! Going to keep expressing as would hate to get to evening feeds and have an unsuccesful bfeed and he be starvin...but can't explain how good I feel right now! :cloud9:
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
18-03-2008, 14:15
Gizmokel - please dont feel guilty about using formula or feel that those of us who are breastfeeding will be judging you. We all love our babies and are just trying to do the best we can. I think you are amazing to have expressed for this long - I hated expressing with my DS I only did it maybe four or five times and dont know if I will bother with this little one (I dont leave my bubs much anyway so no real need).
Yummyyumyums - it makes such a difference having a supportive partner doesnt it? I'm run off my feet all day keeping up with my boys and the housework - my DH doesnt expect me to be keeping up with it all and cooking etc and is so complimentary when he comes home telling me the house looks great and he doesnt know how I do it and I'm such a great mum and he's so proud of me. Makes me feel pretty special :goodvibes:. Oh and Chausiku is a beautiful little bub - in your avatar pic she looks much bigger than what you described. At 2 weeks Taj already 56cms - the ECHN double checked because she couldnt believe it.
Since I've backed off on the rules with DS1 things are improving a little. I'm also trying to chat to him about whatever he's doing even when I'm busy feeding so he feels I'm still interested. One of our ideas for a feeding time activity for him that I havent tried yet is to give him some glue, and some pics from catalogues and magazines and paper for him to tear up and paste or whatever while sitting in his highchair (to contain the mess AND him). The only problem would be if he had had enough and I was still feeding and couldnt get him down. Also if he really enjoys something he cries heaps when you pack it away. DH has suggested introducing him to the playstation and said we could get some educational games to ease my mother guilt!
With lack of sleep I get frustrated so easily with Jai and find myself yelling at him even when its not his fault - eg doing something that makes a loud noise when I've only just gotten Taj off to sleep and startling him - I mean you cant expect an almost 2yr old to be so quiet. I feel so bad about it as I dont want to be that kind of mother, always yelling at him, and I havent been before this. Also little Taj shouldnt have to hear his mummy yelling even if it's not at him.
I hope those bubs with reflux get some relief soon - it's horrible to see your baby in pain and not be able to just fix it for them.
I'm loving watching Taj's little personality develop and the rare little smiles are just gold. He seem to be a serious sensitive little soul which is the vibe I got from him during my pregnancy too.
Its strange watching my sister who is 27 weeks pregnant now - seems a lifetime ago that I was pregnant, even though it's only just over 3 weeks. Seeing her cope with the heat and aches and pains and heartburn I cant say I miss it all that much - all except for the sleep.
I find myself fantasicing about sleep these days, and I love the feeling as I sink into bed at night.
Oops, Jai's awake, must go
Mel
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
18-03-2008, 14:17
2 sucessful breastfeeds! no bottle :yes: not sleeping so long after but hey if I have to feed him a bit more but he on the boob it all worth it!
Congratulations!!! It must be such a relief to see things improving. Hope he goes from strength to strength from here:yelclap:
Ok I seriously need to find some computer time! I am typing one handed whilst breast feeding so if this isn't multi tasking, nothing is.
I have to tell you, I spend/waste so much time just gazing into these big blue eyes and have almost worn the skin off Mackenzie's cheeks kissing her but I too am madly in love, again! Even with her flaky overcooked skin, stork marks all over her beautiful face and bright yellow poos that always seem to leak when I'm about to leave the house.
Feeding is now going really well, no longer excruciating (it has been with each baby for a couple of weeks) and my little piglet is gaining weight like a champion, 300gm in 5 days this week! She is sleeping for a good 5 hours in a row during the night most nights and I have even had a couple of nights with 6 and 7 hours. I do tend to spend one block of time each day just feeding, burping, changing etc for about 3 hours, different times each day too. I am gonna start expressing in the next day or so when I get a chance so my DH can help out with the odd feed when I need to be with a client, (yes girls, the clients are all ringing again)
Fletcher is coping better than we expected. With his speech delay we expected the worst introducing a new member to the family but he has done so well. When he wants me he would normally come and grab my hand and drag me somewhere, while feeding he tries and I just tell him I will help him when I am finished feeding Mackenzie and he seems to be satisfied with that. He speech had regressed a little, like he copies Mackenzie's cry instead of trying to talk and when she lets loose with a big cry he joins in like he is trying to let us know she is crying and we need to do something about it. But for a boy who has struggled to show affection to new people, he is kissing her and saying baby (when he wants to) and does this sweet smile when I am feeding her.
Yummyyumyums, you seriously need to clone your husband and sell the spares! He sounds priceless. My DH did make me melt last week, we went in to Moomba one night and while having a coffee together at Fed Square, watching Fletch running around in circles he turned to me and said "thank you for my kids' It made my eyes well up. Then last night he went to the rugby, I was home with the 3 cherubs and when he got home I had them all in bed sound asleep and the house in order (which is not the norm), I thought 'thank you for Monday night Melbourne storm games!'
Must look into a photobucket account so you can all have a look at my little princess.
chat later
I think I have worked it out, here are a few pics of our little family.
http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg288/ofiona/
Hi Ladies,
I have been a bit slack on posting, I won't do personals today. Too many to catch up on, but I hope you are all doing great, and for those of you with reflux or b/f issues I hope things improve for you soon.
With this heat, Tess has been fairly unsettled so she has been keeping me pretty busy.
Today we seem to have our placid girl back again, she is sound asleep at the moment, I should wake her for a feed, but she looks so peaceful.
She has started being awake a lot more these last few days. Generally I will feed around 8-9am and she was going back to sleep for a good 4 hrs after, but now she wants to stay awake until the next feed then seems to have a really long sleep, but I want that long sleep during the night, hence "should be waking her".
Mahna - You made me get goosebumps with your post, it is beautiful that you feel that way. And I checked out your photos, Jasper is gorgeous :yes:
We had our 6 week check up yesterday, as DF out it " I got my roadworthy cert" Such tact...not...
Anyway at the docs, Tess screamed more than she ever has from the minute we got there, until she completely exhausted herself & feel asleep in my arms. So doc had a quick look at me and said all looks good, but with screaming bubba it wasn't the most thourough check. But I will be going back at 8 weeks so if I have any probs she can check them then. But she did check Tess's hips etc and said she was a very healthy little girl and we were doing well. That made me feel good, coz half the time I really feel like I don't have a clue what I am doing ??
Anyway must go, take care and enjoy your bubbas. :flowerz:
Sparrowgal
19-03-2008, 20:22
Hi all,
Tillie: Yay for two good BF! Keep up the good work, it's always so encouraging when you have successes!
Gizmokel: :hugs:You sound so sad in your post, but I know if I was in the same situation as you I'd do exactly the same thing! But you're doing what's best for bubs and I think there's nothing wrong with being on formula and doesn't make you a bad mum or anything, you're a great mum coz you're doing the best for bubs!
Ofiona: Your dedication to work amazes me, I could not imagine going to work at the moment with all the stuff I'm still getting used to! And MacKenzie looks like she's smiling with grandma! AWW cute!!!
Dingo: i can't wait to be roadworthy! 2 weeks to go till freedom (ie can drive again!)
I think Erika has definitely got colic. She used to sleep well and was a settled baby but now she is not sleeping during the day and refuses to be put down. She sleeps for only half an hour and then wakes up screaming. It's weird coz I try burping her after meals and nothing much comes up, and she burps or brings up a bit of milk after huge crying fits. Maybe her wind is from crying... I dunno. Anyway, trying a few different things tonight to see if they work. DH came home today and tried to settle her and she wouldn't settle after 40 mins so I told him to try and bounce her on his knee coz I read that it might work, and it settled her within seconds. I just made a warm pack and put that on her tummy and wrapped her and she has gone straight to sleep.. thank god. I haven't been able to leave house to go shopping for any colic drops, so maybe I'll just keep going with tummy massages and cycling her legs and bouncing and warm packs... wonder if this is going to work tomorrow, would love to have some sleep tonight... I feel guilty coz I slept through her feeding time and my mum gave her a bottle. I need an alarm clock!
Hugs to everyone, gonna go do some laundry.
dormouse
19-03-2008, 23:38
Hi girls!
Hopefully I will actually get through a post this time. Everytime I sit down to post, one of the kids wakes or cries or needs something & I end up losing my post.
mahna- your little Jasper is adorable! I love his chubby cheeks & you're right, he does look like a little cherub when he sleeps! I'm glad you're enjoying breast feeding but you are right, there is so much more to it than you think!
TillieAndBug- You sound like you are doing an amazing job & I am glad to hear that perseverance is paying off & Holden is getting a few good feeds in! It must be so satisfying to not have given in like most would.
misskitty- your kids are so cute!! Glad to hear everything is going well for you guys.
gizmokel- Sorry to hear about your feeding troubles. Try not to be too hard on yourself. You are doing what is best for you & Alyssa.
yummyyumyums- Sounds like you & Chausiku are doing great! So good to hear!
sparrowgal- I hope Erikas tummy settles. Can you get your mum to go & grab some colic drops for you? Talen has not been too bad with wind but we have had a couple of occasions where he has had a sore tummy & th Brauers colic drops worked wonders in settleing him. Worth a try...
You got me in one on the GDUNH. I have been having a blast with it! I only have 3 EXTREMES to find now. Just gotta hide the credit card statement for DH I think.
The Mandy Macs are great! Talen wore one with a ProRap cover for a 4 hours sleep today & I was thrilled that there was no leaking. DH hasnt used a MCN yet but he was changing Talen's nappy before we went to the zoo on Sunday & asked which one he should put on. I had decided that sposies were probably more convenien that day though. I was so proud of him for asking! I am going to give him a run down on all the different nappies when we get a chance.
Talen is 6 weeks old tomorrow!!! I can't believe how quickly it has gone! Everything is going pretty well here. Talen is not as settled now as he was to begin with. He likes to be held all the time & will grizzle if put down on his back. He is usually no trouble if I put him on his tummy though. He has his day sleeps on his tummy as he seems to sleep for longer. I don't like him to sleep on his tummy at night because I don't check on him as regularly.
He is feeding really well & went for 8 hours without a feed the other night & slept through! I was thrilled to get so much sleep! The next night, he stayed awake for most of the night so my joy didnt last long. He doesnt cry much but will grizzle or grunt. He grunts a lot when he wakes during the night & it drives me mad! LOL
Otherwise, I can't really complain aboput anything here. Ava is really trying my patience & starts to whinge as well everytime Talen whinges. I really have to take a deep breath & try not to yell at her. We are toilet training at the moment as well so that is taking up a lot of my time & patience. We are getting somewhere though so that is promising.
I had better get to bed now. I am enjoying reading about all the bubbas!
I hope you all have a great first Easter with your lovely babies!
willowgirls
20-03-2008, 15:05
Hi
Just thought I'd let you know that I am around. I read this thread every few days and feel a bit rude not introducing myself. I have two girls. A 2.5 yr old and a 3.5 week old. No doubt I will have lots of questions to ask you all in the near future but this one handed typing whilst bub sleeps in my arm is driving me mental so will sign off for now.
Hey girls
Just taking a break from searching the house for DH's keys which have now been missing for 24 hours. I am going nuts coz this is a regular thing and he never learns his lesson and never puts them in the same place twice.
Took Mackenzie to the GP today, poor thing has thrush in her mouth and has to have drops put in 4 times a day till it clears up. You should see the look on her face when the taste registers, its a look of 'this isn't the normal flavour mum'!! poor thing, I thought she had a bit of milk on her tongue the night before last but when is was still there yesterday I realised what it was. She has squirmed a fair bit through feeds for the last 12 hours or so, so I'm wondering if it has started to hurt her tongue when she sucks.
Oh, where are these damn keys?????
Dormouse, you are one brave woman toilet training with a new baby. Fletch is 3 in May but still not ready to start and even if he was I think I would struggle. I have had to change Mackenzies clothes 4 times a day sometimes, imagine the washing if I was toilet training him as well!!
Sparrowgal, I am not dedicated to work just dedicated to my new, massive mortgage! And remember how I have trouble using the 'N' word? N-N-N-N-NO, there, did it!
Ok, back to the great key hunt, hate to think what his boss will do/say if DH says he needs all the locks changed at the plant this week.....
wish me luck!
Sparrowgal
21-03-2008, 08:38
Happy Easter all, hope you are all relaxing this long weekend. Eat some choccies for me (can't eat chocolate, it's giving DD eczema :thumbsdown:, why couldn't it be brussel sprouts or kidney that gives her eczema)
Willowgirls: Welcome to Feb 08 yabber channel! Tell us all about your little bubba :)
Ofiona: Oh I can relate to you about massive mortgages! With that second interest rate hike I'm starting to feel slightly anxious about not being at work, though we do have a bit saved but that doesn't help with DH constantly saying we need to buy this and that... things we don't REALLY need like an all in one fax/printer/scanner/copier, a new TV, a new cordless phone, light fittings... I told him we can't buy any of those things until I am back at work again.
Hope you find DH's keys!
Dormouse: You're better than me I can only find one extreme, but I did get my 80 with DH's help. I haven't bought anything from the shops during the GDUNH but there have been so many nice things I've discovered during the hunt that I'd love to buy... but I'm restraining myself!
DH was a sweetie last night, he said that he'd stay up with her and do her night feed and let me have a nice long sleep - slept for 6 hours, it was great, but now he looks like the walking dead (and is as grouchy as a hungry bear - my DH doesn't cope well with being tired or being woken up, at all other times he's a sweetie!) so hopefully he'll stay in bed till midday. Erika seems to like the warm pack on her tummy, it seems to settle her a bit. And yay for her starting NOT to poo during the night! Well that's 2 nights in a row, I'm hoping this is the start of a trend, poor thing hates having her nappy changed! She doesn't mind having her bottom washed though, but I'm scared I'll drop her when I hold her one hand over the sink now that she's starting to squirm so much more.
Oops, washing is done, gonna go hang it before I do the rest of the house chores. It probably won't dry since it's so rainy today.. rain all week! Looks like Erika's going to be in disposables by Sunday....
:smiliedance::cloud9:My baby sucked (and fed well) on my NIPPLE!!!:cloud9::smiliedance:
Sure, it took three weeks, but we have progress!!!
mythreelittlemonkeys
21-03-2008, 19:56
:yelclap::yelclap:YAY!!!
So pleased for you :D
willowgirls
21-03-2008, 20:26
Hi. Me again
Just taking time out from feeding. I was hoping I could get a bit of guidance from some of you if you have the time to reply. Before I ask your help, here is a little bit of background about my little family.
I am 38, just had bub #2 on the 25 th Feb. C-Section due to a complicated birth with bub #1 who is now 2 1/2. Loved the c-section. Recovering much quicker this time around and feel ready to take on the world. Daddy has been a great help and has only just returned to work so I have had lots of help since coming home from hospital.
Our first daughter had multiple food intolerances. This went undiagnosed for many months as the only sign that something was wrong was that she stopped breastfeeding well and had one large poo that contained lots of mucous each day. She ended up on Neocate which is a low allergy prescription formula. (Lots more to this story but I wont go into it now.)
Anyway, bub#2 has already indicated the same sorts of problems. I have cut dairy and wheat from my diet already but we are still seeing large squirty dark green poos that soak into her nappy at every nappy change. They are quite liquid and also contain mucous in strings.
I know all the stuff about draining one breast before offering the other and we know this isn't the problem. My question is, what do your bubby's poos look like?? We only saw yellow seeded/curdled poos during the first week and since then, these horrid runny ones.
Does anyone else have experience with food intolerances and poo variations? Not the most charming topic but I could really do with some input from other mums with newborns.
Hooray! Well done Lorelei, good girl!
Duchessa
22-03-2008, 09:00
Hey Willowgirls :)
I have identical twin girls who are now 3. They BOTH had life threatening milk protein allergy - I'm pretty sure it was triggered by being given S26 in the nursery when they were born. Their poos were green - they also had foremilk issues, but the green food allergy poo thing was different - foul smelling, lots and lots of mucous. Unfortunately I didn't have much experience at the time and I didn't recognise the signs early enough. I bfed them til they were 9 months at which point I was hospitalised for over a week - just so run down from the combination of exclusively feeding them while on a restricted diet (they reacted to nearly every solid food I introduced so really didn't get much nutrition from solids until they were one or so). They were weaned onto neocate too.
When I was bfing them and still drinking milk, they would get rashes around their mouths and would pull of and cry a lot. Their poos were really foul and full of mucous. It is so hard to diagnose. Perhaps you could try a full elimination diet yourself?
Sparrowgal
22-03-2008, 09:22
MrsO: Yay! Well done! (Couldn't half tell you were happy about that :laughing:)
Willowgirls: It sounds like you've had a tough time :(. This being my first baby I can only tell you that my bubs has runny yellow poos from being breastfed with a formula supp prob every 3 days or so when I've overslept. Glad you had a cruisy C-section and a good experience!
Woke up this morning with pain in my wound again and I have another abscess, this time on the far right, just below the wound... GRRRR. I'm going to get it incised and drained I think instead of antibiotics, this is upsetting me :crying: am I ever going to recover from this #(*&ing surgery.
Duchessa
22-03-2008, 09:53
Oh Gawd, Sparrowgirl :( You poor thing. I hope it is all straight forward and then you heal quickly and completely!
MrsO, I'm so glad you are making progress! Awesome little Lor. But you need to give us all a better update :D
Ofiona, I hope McKenzie is better and that you haven't got thrush in your nipples too - that hurts like a b*.
We are all well. The girls still adore Sas - to the point of nearly loving her to death at times, but it is sweet :bee: Dh is back from OS - sometimes things are easier on your own though! The girls were so settled after a few days of him being away - I am the disciplinarian in our house and the routine stickler - things can go to hell the proverbial basket when dh is around :rolleyes: Ho hum. It is nice to be able to do the odd feed where the baby is the only focus.
Last night Sas's tummy didn't seem to be troubling her as much as usual, so I am hoping that this is the beginning of the end of painfilled nights for her :fingerscrossed:
Phyllis Stein
22-03-2008, 10:35
Congrats Mrs O & Lor!!!! Well done! Hope you two move from strength to strength now.
Willowgirls, I'm sorry I can't be of much help, being a novice myself, but I hope you work it all out asap. Let us know how you go.
Sparrow, poor you! I so hope it clears up for you soon!
Duchy, yeah, my DH goes back to work this tuesday, and although I'm a little anxious, it'll be nice to be the authority in the place once again, kind of get in tune with my parenting instincts without his "book learning" getting in the way! Yay for Sas' tummy!
Well, Jas weighed 4.9kg at 3 weeks, so he's certainly piling it on! It's nice to know he's thriving, but it's making him so heavy to lift for a feed etc though!
He's still having tummy & sleep issues. He doesn't sleep for longer than 2.5 hours, so I'm utterly fatigued. And he still prefers frequent, short feeds - I can't coax him to stay awake for more in the hope he might sleep a little longer.
He's also quite colicky/ refluxy. He posits after every feed, and often seems to be in some discomfort. I suspect reflux, but am hoping it'll adjust naturally as his body matures. Anyone got any advice on distinguishing colic from reflux?
Oh yeah, we have an appointment with the cranial osteopath for next week! Hoping that helps the little guy feel a bit better.
Anyway, hope everyone's well!
mythreelittlemonkeys
22-03-2008, 13:41
I just spent 20 minutes writing personals and stupidy internet explorer crashed...sorry girls I jsut dont have time to do again today...
I hope everyones bubs and all our problems get better soon!!! (that is a precised version!)
Holden is 4.14kg and 56cm now...still not as heavy as his big boof sister was when she was born.
Feeding still the same old same old...just hope can continue till 6 months...anyone heard of Maxalon *anti nausea* being used to boost supply.
Everyones babies are looking so gorgeous so here is my little boast link...to Tillie and Holden from the past few weeks...http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=95275&l=740f9&id=669930367...
Hope everyone has a fantastic Easter and the bunny comes to you all!
x Georgie
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
22-03-2008, 15:42
Hi everyone - just a quick post - jiggling Taj in one arm to keep him asleep. Just wondering how others are coping with the sleep deprivation. When I had DS1 I used to sleep when a couple of hours in the day when he slept but am missing that now as I have DS1 to look out for. Ocassionally their sleeps overlap and thats bliss but when he wakes for the fourth time in the early hours of the morning I'm almost in tears as I drag myself out of bed and plead with him to let me sleep.
Willowgirls - Taj has had green watery poos for a few weeks now at every feed/nappy change. Just in the last few days they've gone back to mustardy and creamier and less frequent and I think it might have been from the antibiotics I was on from an infection in my stitches just after he was born.
My DS1 is continueing to settle down and its nice to be able to enjoy spending time with him again instead of always disciplining him. I love the feeling when I'm feeding Taj at night and Jai curls up against me and falls asleep and Taj falls asleep at the breast so I have my two boys asleep in my arms and it feels as if all is right with my world and all the sleeplessness and exhaustion is more than worth it.
We've decided to go to the Easter Show next week - I know Jai will love it so I'm really looking forward to it.
Happy Easter everyone!!
Hi ladies! Sounds like everyone's going well and getting through the adjustment period :)
I'll come back, hopefully either later tonight or tomorrow sometimes, to read fully and do personals, but for now wanted to respond to Willowgirls!
I had the exact same problem with DS, had to pretty much cut out most enjoyable foods. I've found that I have to watch what I eat with Bridget but she's not so bad ... yet.
DS is now on the Failsafe diet, as he is still sensitive to a lot of additives and food chemicals. Check out www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info for more. They also have a fact sheet on breastfeeding. The Fed Up/Failsafe stuff isn't just about artificial colours etc, but about food intolerances in general.
Our experience was that green poo was sugar related, and could be anything from too much foremilk, to me eating/drinking too much sugar (including lactose, fructose etc). Watch for sauces in cooking, that little bit of jam on toast, some breads, and even healthy foods like yoghurt (particularly diet brands) as they can all be loaded with sugar and add to your intake! It's not always about how many rows of choccie you scoff ;)
I found too that when Bridget has had bright yellow poo, as opposed to mustard colour, it has been when I've consumed certain additives, mainly preservatives like 282, 211, 201... but also glutamates like msg. So no KFC or Red Rooster, packet pastas or rice, a lot of tinned soups for me. Oh and commercial stocks.
The mucous may be related to the green poo (ie. if you're eating some sugary foods that also contribute to mucous production). But if bubs has been mucky and snotty, they'll be swallowing some or most of it, which comes out in the poo as stringy.
If I think of anything else I'll post it when I do personals.
The only way to really know is to go on a full elimination diet like Failsafe, then introduce potential offenders one by one to test the reaction.
We had a rough night with Bridget last night. She's had a bit of wind lately, but last night she was different, it's the first sleepless night we've had. I'd been to a hen's afternoon tea earlier yesterday and was trying to think if I'd eaten anything. Looking back, they served breads with dips, and it's very possible the breads contained preservative 282, which can trigger that kind of restless behaviour and crying. But today I realised that most, if not all the women there would have had perfume on, and she got extensively cuddled by quite a few of them. I know I can't be around perfumes much, they make me a bit nutso. Even things like bleach fumes give me restless legs. Last time I was near bleach at my sister's place I couldnt' sleep till 3am and wanted to kick everything angrily, including the air :( So I'm not ruling out a sensitivity to perfumes and inhaled chemicals (which can affect someone just as much as consumption of chems).
Anyway, enough rambling, I'm pretty tired. As we got Bridget down to sleep at 4am, DS decided it was a great time to wake up, and I managed to squeeze an extra hour out of him before it was time to get moving for the day.
Hello hello...
Well bub is sleeping on her daddies chest so I'm going to try and post a proper reply :D Oh hang on, we have screams...no, we're good for now. I better type fast :p
OK, just a few personals, hi to everyone else :wave:
Willowgirls - Being a novice I'm not too much help but my bubby has frequent runny yellow/mustard poos. By the sounds of it that is pretty normal. But occassionally she does have some mucous in there, and every night we have wind pain. I really hope you can get it sorted soon.
Sparrowgirls - You poor thing!!! I hope you can get this wound healed up soon, what a pain to have to be dealing with that on top of a newborn!
Mahna - Your little Jas is so gorgeous!!! I don't have any advice about the reflux/colic, being as new to all this as you are, but I hope you can get some relief soon, sounds full on!
T&B - Glad to hear your DH is home for a while, that has to be a lot easier on you. Yep, I've heard of Maxalon being used to boost supply, I guess the ABA website would have some info. Keep up the good/hard work with the feeding, you're doing a great job!
Duchy - Good to hear your DH is home, I completely understand about getting into a bit of your own routine when they are away, it can be hard to adjust back to the caos when they return ;) Glad to hear your little Sas is still going along beautifully.
Elissas - You are just a wealth of knowledge woman!!! I could just sit there and read your posts all day, I have so much to learn!
Jaidevsmum - What gorgeous little boys you have, so glad to hear you are enjoying it so much.
Alright, enough personals, I must update on us before the little one wakes.
Thanks to everyone who shared in my excitement of Lori having a feed off my nipple. It was a big moment, I cried tears of relief when she started moving that little mouth up and down. We haven't managed to recreate the moment unfortunately, we have tried a couple more times but she has continued with her hatred of my little old nipple. But now that I know she can do it I'm feeling encouraged. Thought my supply was dropping off a couple of days ago (freaked out big time, I can cope with the shields/expressing as long as I have a good amount of milk) but fortunately a lot of expressing, making sure I'm getting HEAPS of water, and a few lactation cookies thrown in for good measure, and we've managed to boost it up.
We seem to perhaps lessened the wind probs we'd be having, although I cut out sugary food and started giving her preventative Infants Friend at the same time, so now we don't know which is helping. Either way, something seems to be working for now, so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
I must admit I have been very lucky with my little Lori. She is a very good baby, we wake once a night and some nights she even goes longer, last night we slept from 11pm to 6:30am. I felt so refreshed! I really feel for you ladies dealing with 2 hourly wakes during the night, sleep deprivation is nasty!
For those of you following my quest for a bit of 'snuggle time' with my DH ;) I am pleased to announce that the situation has been resolved!!! What a RELIEF!!! :smiliedance:
I'm going to post some photos (time for me to brag a bit...hehehe) but I'm going to post this first and then post them after, I want to get this post off and I think my breasts are going to be in use soon. Ah, time is precious.
Be back soon...hopefully!
Ok, typing one handed and left handed, so I will keep this short. A few photos of my little baby girl, the last four are professional shots we had taken :cloud9:
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/MrsO_photo/P1030683copy.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/MrsO_photo/P1030660copy.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/MrsO_photo/lorelei-037-1-thumb.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/MrsO_photo/lorelei-1-thumb.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/MrsO_photo/lorelei-017-1-thumb.jpg
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/MrsO_photo/lorelei-096-1-thumb.jpg
:goodvibes::goodvibes::goodvibes:
willowgirls
22-03-2008, 21:36
Hi All,
Thanks for your feedback Duchessa. Sounds like you had a shocker of a time with your girls. I made it to 7 months BF DD1 but I think I would have had a far better experience had I known a little about intolerance to foods. DH and I have decided to try something called the Cave Man diet to try and determine what is causing DD2's tummy troubles.
Sparrowgal I hope your wound improves soon. Problems like that can really get you down but hopefully you can put it all behind you soon. Thanks for replying to my question. We only had the yellow poos for a few days just after bub was born.
JaidevsMum, I keep hoping that DD2's green mucous poos are caused by the vitamins I take or some other simple solution but it doesn't look too hopeful at this stage.
Elissas- I am about to log off to take a look at the link you sent me. It sounds like just the kind of thing we need to look at. I hadn't given sugar much of a consideration. We have mostly concentrated on dairy, soy, wheat, egg and corn which are the foods DD1 had intolerances to until she turned 2 years old.
To everyone, thanks for your support and personal replies to my questions. My replies are rather self absorbed as I am tired and rather hung up on the whole allergy/food intolerance thing. Hope I can be of support to you down the track.
Happy Easter and enjoy a chocolate for me. Boy, will I miss my eggs tomorrow!!!
Sparrowgal
23-03-2008, 01:07
Yawn... :sleeping:typing onehanded while i settle Erika for bed... geez who needs to go to the gym when you have to hold these gorgeous bundles! More fun than repetetive bicep curls
Wound is draining, feel a bit better. I think I'll get the antibiotics anyway, just to know that they're there... sometimes just having them around just in case makes things settle... thanks all for listening to my complaining, reading some your posts makes it sound like my woes are paltry!
:hugs:to all of you who have to have special diets for bubs, hats off to you all. It sounds so hard but you guys take it all in stride!
MrsO: OMG what great pics! Lori is adorable (your DH isn't half bad either:p)... and yay for your cuddletime :laughing:
Elissas: Can I just say again how much I love reading your posts? Your knowledge and advice is awesome!
Mahna: Hope you are getting some rest tonight :fingerscrossed:, I'd like to know about colic/reflux too, the projectile milk vomits amaze me sometimes, i wonder how much actually stays down. but jas is putting on weight like a trooper, that's great :thumbsup:
Today was the one month on the lunar calendar since Erika was born so had big fancy dinner at our house for immediate family, which was nice. And today shaved off all Erika's hair, in keeping with some chinese belief it will grow back thicker, she was such a good girl she did not cry during the whole thing! She looks like a little monk now... i'm going to have to put her un pink and put ribbons on her so people don't think she's a little boy!
Bought a ring sling today for DH, wondering if I should get one for me, my Jazsling pouch seems a little tight after I washed it. Does anybody's DH use the sling?
Oh that's the other thing I wanted to ask, Mahna you had a Mei Tai? Do you use it for Jas and do you like it? I just like the look of it and want to try my hand at making one.
Sparrowgal - I hope Erika's wind is settling. Definitely, lying a windy bub on their back makes it hard, I know myself if I have a belly ache the last thing I want to do is lie on my back. DS was a side sleeper from day 1, no way could he sleep more than 10mins on his back, and he'd cry in pain if we tried. And milk supply yoyos for sure, often at different times of the day too. You'll usually have a bigger supply in the morning or after sleeping, and it is at it's lowest in the late arvo/early evening, which is why a lot of bubs cluster feed at this time and hence get unsettled! I hope you're feelign better soon too, and that it's all over quickly!
Mahna - hope things are settling with feeding! And you sound like you are in baby heaven.
You gals with toddlers - I hear you too. Will has always been great, but has become really whiney the past week. It doesn't help that his molars are playing up, as well as a few naughties sneaking into his diet. I'm trying to be consistent, because I found when I slacked off on the discipline too much he took a mile :( He's slowly improving again, partly due to me cracking down on the diet (blown today with easter, hehe, we let him have a whole 2 kinder surprise eggs!!) and getting him more involved in what I'm doing. I'm finding that if I make the effort to spend some good non-baby time doing activities like baking etc, it is easier when I need to run off to Bridget. I've started introducing little rituals to help him handle the day - we start the day with "Tea" (I sit with him at his table, and have a cuppa, while he has warm milk in an expresso cup, and we share a piece of toast). Then he takes the stuff out of the dishwasher and hands it to me while I put it away (I take all the sharps out beforehand of course). Then we do some singing and musical instruments for a bit. After that the day goes a lot more smoothly. Of course, that's usually at 5am or so. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz I admit that in the afternoon there is more tv than we used to have. Usually I open the door and let him run where I can keep an eye on him, but weather doesn't always allow for that.
Laus - I hope Kauri's reflux is settling. Cutting out the caffeine is a great start - and fyi caffeine is usually in your system for about 100hrs, doesn't clear from it till then, so it can take a good week to see the full effects of cutting it out.
Tillieandbug - fingers crossed you're feeling better :( I haven't heard Maxalon being used for that, but I've always found Fenugreek tablets really good. Also, anything that increases body temp can help, including exercise. Reason being that milk ducts are actually modified sweat glands, so anything that increases sweat production can also help increase milk supply.
GizmoKel - I think you've done an amazing job persevering as much as you have! You have to weigh everything up and you being happy and healthy is more important to Alyssa than breastmilk!
yummyyumyums - your DH sounds wonderful! And a beautiful clip!
Jaidevsmum - I know what you mean about the toddler noises startling bubs. There have been days when Will has been playing in the wrong place at the wrong time and Bridget has ended up overtired because of all the interruptions. I've been using the sling for some of her naps this week, to make sure she's at least getting some good sleep through the day. And she tends to sleep better through all the noise when she's in the sling. Will did as well. He slept through massive house parties in that thing ;)
ofiona - you are a wonder woman, working again already! Your Fletcher sounds like my Will. Same dragging by the finger, and he went through a phase a couple of weeks ago where he was mimicking Bridget's cry. His speech is developing really quickly now though, I see changes every day. I think he's realised he needed to do it. And I've figured that if I need to plonk him in front of the tv it may as well be Sesame Street episodes we've downloaded, and I think that's helped a bit too!
Dormouse - please tell me how you managed an 8hr stretch! I'm ready for sleep. Bridget is doing well, only waking twice a night. But Will has decided to start waking up at 5am most mornings. It was 4:30 yesterday - aaargh. And I agree with ofiona re toilet training a toddler. I'm trying to tt DS but just dont' have the time or energy to be full on with it. I'm hoping when Bridget reaches the magical 12 week mark it'll be a good time to start.
ofiona - I hear you on the mortgage. And we need to extend it soon too to roll in a few debts :( At least it will simplify everything, just means tightening belts - and I'm probably going to have to take on a few singing students again just to take the edge off.
MrsO - that's awesome re feeding :D Well done, you're amazing for keeping at it for so long.
And thanks girls, for saying you love reading my posts! Sometimes I feel like I'm rambling and being absolutely boring hehe. Good to know you guys don't feel that way! And MrsO, hopefully you don't have that much to learn. I learned it out of necessity, seeing DS distressed so often and all of us being so sleep deprived for the better part of 2 years. Oh I sound like a sad sack don't I? I just hope none of you have to go through any long term difficulties!
Hi to everyone and take care! I'm off to have some dinner now. DS is still asleep and I'm thinking I might have to wake him soon to give him some dinner. On second thoughts, naaaaah, just leave him.
Oh! and Happy Easter to everyone! Hope all the older kiddies aren't too nutso at the moment!
And big xoxo to all the bubs and their first Easters :D
Duchessa
24-03-2008, 10:16
Hey Willowgirls, it was a bit of a shocker with the twins. They are just beginning to grow out of their allergy now (at 3) but for two years I carried epipens and we had a few emergency dashes to the hospital. They also had extreme eczema, often covering 90% of their little bodies - they have grown out of it over the past 6 months. It is a huge relief. I am familiar with the Cave Man diet - it may not work as an elimination diet, but should be pretty low allergy anyway. Do you have "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon? It has a Cave Man type food introduction schedule too. I did a naturopathic low allergy intro schedule, that I was taught when I studied naturopathy, with the girls, which was good.
I am doing quite a few things differently with this bub, in an effort to avoid allergy problems. Lactation diet is so important! And keeping that gut pristine - even to the point of not using colic medication - even homeopathic colic medication, tempting as it is at 4am.
MrsO, those shots of Lor are gorgeous! The professional shots are really wonderful. What a beautiful family you have :goodvibes: She certainly looks lovely and chubby despite your difficulties - you are a grand mamma.
Sparrowgirl, your dinner sounds lovely. We had a bit of a full moon champagne celebration this w/end too with my family. My dh doesn't sling though I have had him in the hugabub once. I have a ring sling, but I'm not that happy with it, I prefer the HAB - easier on the back, but it is much harder to feed in.
Being a mother to a baby is a lot harder when you have other children, but it has its rewards as well. I am finding it pretty cruisy now - the week with dh OS really helped us work out how to juggle our time better. We don't have TV so I can't resort to the one eyed baby sitter. I read to the girls while Sas is feeding - which turns feeding time into positive time for them. If she is unsettled, I put her in the HAB so that I can still interact with the girls - essential in the evenings when there is so much to do.
The hardest thing is staying calm and patient when one hasn't had much sleep. It is a test! We have a no smacking and no yelling household and it has been a bit of a trial off and on to refrain from yelling!
I hope that everyone's nights are getting a little better! Ours are improving a bit. Sas still feeds every 2-2.5 hours but she is going back to sleep easier with less tummy pain, I think. :fingerscrossed:
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
24-03-2008, 17:56
argh! Taj has decided not to sleep unless being held during the day. Used to get a morning sleep of him actually in his basinette of about an hour and an afternoon sleep of two to three hours - no more!! I think I broke him somehow and I want him fixed. It's hard on DS1 Jai because I have a baby attached to me all day and also now no chance at me catching up on any sleep during the day. Also cant even cook dinner as I dont like cooking at the stove with Taj in the sling. He will fall asleep in the sling but wakes within five minutes of being put down. Sorry for the whinge just feeling really frustrated at the moment - dont know how to get back to the good thing we had going before. Also he's gone back to wanting to feed two hourly but pulls on and off the breast and is really frustrated - theres plenty of milk but not too much so dont think that it could be a supply issue. He has a white spot on the roof of his mouth - could it be thrush??? Would thrush cause this? Makes it harder to feed when I'm out because I have to constantly reattach him. He brings up a bit of milk maybe every second or third feed but not excessive or projectile or anything.
I think I'll look into the chiro or osteo to see if that will help - how do you find a good one experienced with babies?
MrsO - your photos are gorgeous - I cant wait to get ours done - only photo I have of myself that I like is the one of me with DS1 as a newborn.
Duchessa - you must be more patient than me - I have been yelling at DS1 and I hate it, though it seems now he will ignore what I say until I yell it. I have to try and make sure he's getting plenty of positive attention so that he doesnt have to resort to mucking up to get me to yell at him for attention - poor little man:(. I know with a bit of sleep I could be a lot more reasonable. Poor DH the other night after Taj not settling all day and Jai tantrumming and whinging all day and me sick with a cold and surviving on next to no sleep I end up pacing around with Taj bawling my eyes out, Jai tried to comfort me saying "Mummy, Daddy's coming." Then he threw all the cups from the sink on the floor, I yelled at him and so he was bawling, ran to me and we sat on the floor cuddled together me, Taj and Jai all bawling our eyes out right as DH came home! Just one of those days hey?
I really want to cherish and enjoy these days, not just 'survive' them, so have to work on coping a little better when things go pear shaped.
DH has been sick too poor thing but still helping out heaps. I told him I felt badly for him as he is sick and still has to go to work. He said he was more worried about me because my job here at home is much much harder :valentine: it's so nice that he appreciates what I do and how demanding it can be.
I'm finally having no pain where my stitches were but not quite confident enough to get 'back in the sack' and Dh is very patient and understanding about that too.
Have to go, Taj crying and Jai saying "Mummy. mummy, mummy, mummy...."
Duchessa - you amaze me. I don't know how you do it! I used to have a 2hr/day tv rule but that seems to have doubled lately, sometimes tripled. The only consolation is that most of the time it's background noise to him, while he plays with his trains and cars and dress ups. Though he is obsessed with Oscar and The Count and has taken to singing (or warbling) "I Love Trash" most of the day...
Where did you study naturopathy? Have you practised it at all?
Jaidevsmum - Bridget was doing the same thing last week. She'd been sleeping so well on her own, even self settling a lot, then last week everything changed. I think it was just as she became A LOT more aware of her surroundings. Now that she's settled into that a bit, she's getting better again. I still use the sling a fair bit, but she's having some naps in her bassinette. Do you have a rocker? I found that helped me transition her back to her bassinette more and she is self settling in that again happily. Also, when I put her down I hold my hands firmly around her until she relaxes in the bassinette. Then I stroke her forehead for a minute - just one finger downwards to the top of her nose. That has helped too.
GizmoKel
24-03-2008, 19:07
Hi everyone,
I haven't written for a while and still don't have time to write heaps as of couse Alyssa is awake!
So I understand what some are you are going through with the not sleeping. Alyssa basically doesn't sleep during the day at all. It doesn't matter where she is etc she just naps a bit then wakes up squaking and she has a dummy. My other DD used to be like this as well but at least I could get a sleep cycle out of her so 45 mins..I don't get that here and I seriously don't know what to do! DH goes back to work tmw too so I think I will officially be crazy!
To top it off DD 1 has a cold!
Alyssa usually sleeps ok from around now (or after her last feed) but tonight she hasn't even gone to sleep since that!
Also I can't wear the sling because I have stuffed neck and shoulders and upper back from a repetitive job I did a few years ago...and I still have bloody sore boobs since stopping expressing so hopefully I can see the dr's about that on Wed.
All in all what a bloody fantastic birthday I've had today (NOT) :(
Sorry to not do personals but have to go and try settle Alyssa
Take Care everyone
For what it's worth Gizmokel, Happy Birthday!
Alyssa sounds like my DS was. We were lucky to get a 20min catnap out of him during the day, and at night he woke every 45 or 90 mins without fail.
This time I learnt that if Bridget gets a good couple of hours sleep in the morning, she doesn't get so overtired, so naps better all day. If she doesn't get the good morning sleep, it just snowballs with her getting cranky and overtired and wanting the boob all the time, which also gives her wind.
It's a shame about not being able to use the sling :(
I hope you get some relief from your boobs soon too!
Hi everyone! I'm having a hard time keeping up with all these posts on dial up. With DH working away now I'll be needing company more than ever. So I'll make more of an effort to keep up.
I hope everyone's well, I'll go back and read through in a tic. I'm not even sure what page I was up to! :laughing:
Thing's are going well around here. Dylan's been very windy. I cut out cow's milk and that seemed to make things better, but now he's windy again. So I'm cutting out anything with yeast as well as the milk. :fingerscrossed:
Alexi's been a bit naughty since DH went to work, she's calming down a bit now, I think she was acting up because I was feeling anxious. We've just got to get used to it again I guess.
We've got a stupid couch with high ends, so I have to feel Dylan on a couple of pillows. I feed him in the football hold. He kicks the back of the couch and comes off my boob. So we occasionally feed across ways, but my nipples are getting shredded :(. Time to give DH a kick up the @$$ to get a new couch.
Hi everyone! Hope you all had a lovely first easter with your new bubs, and i'm sure the older ones got spoilt rotten. My poor DS has an allergy to milk chocolate, so he has to have white chocolate, and he got way too much of it, luckily i am happy to assist! lol although i should be getting back into the 'losing baby weight' phase. We had a hunt for him, but we used marshmellows instead, and he thought that was pretty special that the 'bunny hop hop' came, and left him presents.
Tillie - The pics are lovely, and your kiddies are gorgeous, I just absolutely love Tillie's curls, she reminds me of Shirley Temple hehe :)
MrsO - That's great that she slept 7.5 hours! You must of felt like a million dollars the next morning! I always seem to have a restless night and wake anyway when Kauri does long stretches, and still wake up tired! Yay for 'snuggle time', I have not been game enough yet, and to be honest it scares me, although i no longer have any pain down there, it makes me nervous :o The professional shots are just divine, I must organise to get some done of the two kids soon.
Sparrowgal - I always wondered why the Chinese have such gorgeous hair! Now I know :) She looks so cute in the avatar, you have to post some more pics
Duchessa - You sound like wonder woman to get through all the health and allergy issues with the girls. WOW about being a no TV household, it's crazy though how most of the time having the tv on is more a habit than something you really want on. We tend to have it on all the time in the evening, but it mostly stays as background noise, and even when i put the Wiggles on for Seth, he tends to just have it on in the background and play around anyway, and stops when a song he wants to dance to comes on. TBH we probably wouldnt even miss it if we had to get rid of it, but old habits die hard. What a lovely idea it is to read to the girls while feeding, i will have to try it with DS as he is completely obsessed with books and we are forever reading to him, which is nice, but never thought to make it an activity to do while i was feeding Kauri.
Jaidevsmum - I hear you about the no longer sleeping in the day! Kauri was going really well at having sleeps in her basinette, then all of a sudden she stopped and only wants to sleep in arms, which of course is not practical when you have a household to run and a toddler to deal with aswell. I tried the sling, but i cant seem to get the hang of it. DH has been tempted to put her in the pouch carrier a few times, but we have just persisted in going in every 10 or so minutes when she wakes with her in the basinette to try and teach her that that is where she is supposed to sleep. We held our DS while he slept for soooooooo long and he became such a bad sleeper. He only started sleeping through the night properly at 18months! So really dont want to go down that road again. On another note your DH sounds like a gem. It's great that he appreciates you, because sometimes being at home is alot harder than what they have to do at work!
Gizmo - I'm so sorry that you are having such a hard time at the moment. Happy Birthday for yesterday. I hope everything begins to improve soon.
Elissas - My DS was the same with catnaps throughout the day and night! We ended up at Karitane with him at 11 weeks! He was shocking and i was getting next to no sleep. He did get a little better after that, but as i mentioned above, never slept well until about 18months. Thankfully now as he is getting older, he seems to sleep deeper. But as soon as i got him sorted i had to have another baby, and start the whole reflux issues all over again! Oh well, bad sleeping habits aren't forever.
Alicia - Maybe you could get a BFing pillow. I have one I got from Babyco that wraps around the waist like a big horseshoe shape, and it is great for both the across body and football hold, as i feed across on my left side and football on my right - dont ask me why but she latches on better with the different holds, and the football hold tends to be best when my breasts are particularly full, she doesnt gulp as much, which helps with her wind. So maybe you could get a pillow, but hey, if you can talk DH into getting a new lounge, you're lucky!
Update on us. Well Kauri's reflux has gotten worse, and she has now been moved off the Zantac and onto the Losec. We are having to give it to her in suspension form, to get it into her, but it is a real test as it tastes terrible. So next time we get it made up we are going to see if the pharmacist will put some flavouring in it, poor thing. Especially as she gets bigger the dosage increases and its hard enough trying to get the minimum dosage into her at the moment. We are really hoping that the dosage she is on is strong enough for her too, as it takes upto 2 weeks to kick in, and we are on day 5 today. I just want my happy girl back. The constant crying and not settling can be very hard, although it doesnt seem to phase DS, funny how they just deal with it.
We are also having to make the heartbreaking decision to give up BFing aswell. She is bringing the breast milk up every feed, as it is too light in her stomach, and it makes her reflux more, and in between feeds she is bringing up the breast milk in little bits constantly til the next feed which is usually only 2 hours later, and it burns her and gives her pain the whole time. It's awful, seeing her in pain, and i am just trying to give her the best start to life, but unfortunately it looks as if i am going to have to put her on the thickened hypo-allergenic formula that my DS was on. We have trialled her on it a few feeds, and she seems so much more settled, and doesn't bring much of it up. Not to mention it will help her put on weight. I am having real issues with this, as she feeds pretty well -although she does take a few on off on off moments to latch on, she is good once she is latched, and i have a pretty good supply of milk. I'm a little devastated by it all, and even thought, could i use my breast milk instead of water to mix with the formula, but i think it would be too much. I'm wondering whether or not i could mix thickener with expressed breastmilk, but again it would mean expressing every feed, and i dont think i have the patience (i hope this doesnt sound selfish, but i just know with my life and everything that needs to be done), I really take my hats off to you girls who have done or are doing that. I think it would take its toll on me, and in this household, a happy mum is a must.
Other than the health issues though, she is such a gorgeous baby, who loves to look around, she is so alert and i even caught her looking at her hand watching it move the other day, so she must be getting more focussed now. She loves her baths, and her big brother is so smitten with her, my heart almost bursts with happiness and love just watching him with her. He often comes up when we are holding her and puts his arms around her and bounces saying 'shh shh shh', like we do. Just too cute! :bee:
Well that's it from me and my monster post. If you're still reading, thanks hehe :laughing:
I'm wondering whether or not i could mix thickener with expressed breastmilk, but again it would mean expressing every feed, and i dont think i have the patience (i hope this doesnt sound selfish, but i just know with my life and everything that needs to be done), I really take my hats off to you girls who have done or are doing that. I think it would take its toll on me, and in this household, a happy mum is a must.
:hugs: What a tough time for you. I just wanted to reply and say you most certainly can thicken EBM! It is a really valid option when dealing with reflux, particularly if you don't want to lose all the hard work you've done with breastfeeding. But I do understand where you are coming from with the hesitation to express full time, it is a tough road to travel. We are dealing with the possibility of expressing full time, or at the very least three times a day as I am doing now. We have just ordered a Medela Double pump to make expressing easier and quicker, could you consider getting one of these so you could express with minimum effort? I wish you all the best with whatever you decide, it definately isn't easy either way. :hugs:
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
25-03-2008, 14:06
I am having real issues with this, as she feeds pretty well -although she does take a few on off on off moments to latch on, she is good once she is latched, and i have a pretty good supply of milk. I'm a little devastated by it all, and even thought, could i use my breast milk instead of water to mix with the formula,
Dont have much time just wanted to reply to this - I think there is something you can give your bub before a feed to help them keep down breastmilk - sort of like a thickener. Sorry dont know details just remember when my DS1 was little there was a mum at church feeding her DD next to me and she gave her DD this before breastfeeding her and said it was because of her reflux and helped her keep the milk down, she gave it to her before each feed.
Oh and thanks everyone for your replies about unsettled bubs - I think I've figured out it's because I became a little relaxed about my low-sugar diet over the Easter weekend and he had really bad wind. So I'm back to being good and no more chocolate for me and today is already so much better. Things got so bad last night though even my very calm, never stressed DH was getting a little distressed. In the end I made him sit down to have dinner and jumped in the shower with my beautiful boys. It's always worked to calm Jai down and turns out Taj loved it too and had his first calm feed of the day in the shower! Dh and I both breathed a sigh of relief as Taj finally fell asleep in my arms afterwards and Jai sat quietly in his pj's drinking his milk.
I hope everyone else gets through their tough days too. When you're in the middle of them it's hard to believe it it but it will eventually pass.
I did some grocery shopping before Jai's swimming lesson today and had heaps of elderly ladies gushing over Taj all curled up snug and sleeping in the sling, and some of the staff ran to get other ladies to come and check him out. On the way to the car though another lady said "Oh my, you've gone a bit tribal havent you? Is that actually comfortable?!" I just had to laugh to myself. I find whenever I have him in the sling I get comments about how little he is I think because he curls up into a little ball in there almost.
I've just put Jai down for his sleep and Taj is still sleeping :eek: but no chance for a sleep myself as it's been 4 hrs so I'm going to wake Taj for his next feed. Was so nice to have my arms to myself for 2hrs though after so many days and I've gotten so much done and made the most of the opportunity to have a million squeezy cuddles with Jai and just be available to him. I feel a little sheepish after my desperate post yesterday that he is finally having a sleep today.
We're off to the Easter show tomorrow - up bright and early so we can get a lot in before coming home at around 3pm so Jai can nap in the car. I cant wait - I've only been once as a kid and also I know Jai will just love all the animals. Taj will get to spend the day in the sling.
Take care everyone - for those expressing I think you're amazing, dont know if I could do it for that long. For those not sleeping I hope it gets better. These babies are already growing up so fast!
Sparrowgal
25-03-2008, 14:11
Hope you all had a lovely easter! Though I have to say long weekends don't mean much when you're on maternity leave :) every day seems much the same!
Gizmokel: happybirthday for yesterday, hope your DD1 gets over her cold soon coz I bet she's a cranky tot! And that's a bummer about the sling :( Hope your sore boobs have settled a bit too!
Duchessa: I think that's great about no TV and reading to your girls! You've inspired me.
Alicia: Damn I'd hate to have high ends on my couch so I'd second that notion of getting your DH to get a new one! I use the arm of my couch to put bubs head on when I'm BF across my chest when my arm feels tired, and I also use it to burp her, dunno what I'd do without it! And I had to stop football hold for BF after about 2 weeks on the couch coz of the same kicking and coming off the boob :laughing:
Laus: Thank you Laus, I've changed my avatar to her bald look since I can't put pics up until i get decent net! I'm sorry Kauri's reflux is getting so bad, but you're coping so well I'm so impressed, and if you think giving up BF is best for Kauri then you do what's best. I don't have much experience with reflux but it sounds like you're doing all the right stuff and you're doing what's best for bubs and trying to stay positive. :hugs: to you!
I hear you guys about the daytime wakefulness, I feel like I put Erika in the bouncer and rock her for the entire afternoon because she cries when she wakes and doesn't settle unless she is carried and walked, or bounced. Can't get her in her moses basket at anytime from 9am-5pm. Though she does sleep well after her 8pm feed (coz we bath her then) and after the midnight feed, then when she wakes at 4am for her next feed she's awake for 2 hours and then from then the sleeps get shorter and shorter... like 30 min eyes closed! It makes it so hard to do anything during the day. I'm not sure what else to do, just hoping she'll get better in a few weeks!
It's driving me nuts having no curtains in our new house. I suppose that could be one reason why Erika can't sleep. I can't wait to have some privacy, there are very few spots I can BF in where people in other houses can't see me!
I hear squawking, have to go do some rocking...
My DH did make me melt last week, we went in to Moomba one night and while having a coffee together at Fed Square, watching Fletch running around in circles he turned to me and said "thank you for my kids' It made my eyes well up.
Oh gosh that's gorgeous! How beautiful. You've made me cry :laughing:
I love the feeling when I'm feeding Taj at night and Jai curls up against me and falls asleep and Taj falls asleep at the breast so I have my two boys asleep in my arms and it feels as if all is right with my world and all the sleeplessness and exhaustion is more than worth it.
Alexi's been doing this too, doesn't it make your heart melt? :cloud9:
Sparrowgal - Glad to hear you're feeling better. My DH won't use our sling, mainly because I bought a pink one :laughing:. I'm waiting on a Mei Tai to arrive in the mail, I'm anxious to try it. Although I have been waiting 3 months for it, so I'm not holding my breath :(
MrsO - Those photo's are gorgeous! We were supposed have a family get together for Easter with my uncle who's a photographer. But it's been postponed for a year. I'm so disappointed because I was hoping to get some great newborn pictures taken.
Happy birthday for yesterday Gizmokel. I'm sorry things are so tough at the moment. Keep your chin up, you're doing a great job :hugs:
Laus - We were going to get one of those, but decided pillows would work just as well, and cheaper! But I might give them a go.
I still want my lounge suit though! :laughing:
I'm sorry about Kauri's reflux :(. It must be so tough. :hugs:
Jaidevsmum - I get a lot of comments about my sling too. I mostly get "Is there a baby in there!?" Thankfully the comments have been positive so far :thumbsup:
Enjoy the Easter show! :D
mythreelittlemonkeys
26-03-2008, 08:33
Belated Happy Birthday Gizmokel :D Hope Doctors goes okay today and you work out why still so sore...hope things get better for you soon...:hugs:
Alicia - I would go for the lounge suite too :)
Laus - Hope you get reflux sorted soon...and that you can get some yummy flavour for the icky medecine for Kauri...
JaidevsMum - I have had mixed comments about the sling...some people are so amazed how snug he looks and others are quite shocked/ignorant/rude! and make comments such as surely he cant be comfortable, and that is really unsafe! why not use a pram...these rude comments come solely from the over 50's in malls I might add oh and one stupidy check out girl!
Sparrowgal - my DD was like that had to swing her in a carry cot to get her to sleep...I am dreadful at bathing small babies and only do once a week so didnt even get that night time sleep to start with with her...
I found though she just suddenly fell into a night time pattern and by 16 weeks was 'sleeping through' - daytimes were a bit harder...but she did have the wonderful knack of sleeping anywhere once I settled her...friends floors etc when really noisy etc...
Mrs O - that is a clever idea re pump...I am borrowing one from health nurse at mo, but notice you could attach another tube and bottle to it (Lactina select) might look into seeing as I am the Perth Dairy Cow at moment...expressing full time is hard no doubt about it! especially when you still trying to breast feed too...anything that saves time sounds good!
I was at the Gateway the other day, and felt so sad cos right where I decided to sit, two other bf mummies sat with their babies, I felt guilty for using a bottle(especially as noone would know it is bmilk) and for some reason jealous they were bfeeding...so silly!!! especially as Holden was so happy...
Duchessa - you are good - my mum did that too, no tv ...dont know how she coped with 4...I find DD only has a very short attention span with reading, and toys we try to do whilst feeding...I am really trying to cut down on tv though...she never watched it until a few months ago and seems now a regular thing...I am taking her for a walk every avo/evening now which is when the witching hour is and shrek was going on! It is working really well she loves the tandem pram we have...when I have a bit more of routine hope to do a morning walk too...though hard fitting round his feeds, her social life and my community work
To anyone I have forgotten sorry!!! Trying really hard here...whilst expressing to type :)
Easter was good here...Tillie had her first binge of chocolate...she went on a little hunt with a basket she made at playgroup...she put them all in the basket and didnt eat until she got back in (I was impressed by that!) she loved the easter table i did and her new bunnykins and pooh bear mugs she got...I managed to get gastro on top of the tonsilitis...but now all good...just tired and somewhat dehydrated however much I drink! Sadly my waistline doesnt seem to have decreased despite the virtual starvation of last 10 days ;)
Well better go...Holden is sleeping yay!!! and Tillie up and asking for Bix :) (weetbix)
Have a lovely day!!!
yummyyumyums
26-03-2008, 11:39
Hello lovely ladies!
happybirthday GizmoKel - I may be late but the wishes of happiness are sincere.
I have to be a slacker and resist giving personal replies as I'm having a house inspection today and I'd like to get the vacuuming done while Chausiku is asleep. :fingerscrossed: I must say these inspections tick me off, our rental agreement stated the inspections would occur every 3 months, which has always been the norm regardless of who we rent through. But this agency does them a lot more frequently, our last inspection was in Feb just prior to Chausiku's birth! Grrrrrr...
Anyway, enough of my babble about nothing - how is everyone going? Little ones still growing well I hope!
Chausiku is suffering with reflux :( poor little dolly just seems to be constantly spilling milk all over herself and anyone who's holding her. I've tried all the tricks, even holding her in an upright position for up to an hour after each feed, but it hasn't stopped it completely. After a lot of research I've put her onto Novalac AR formula and this seems to have helped. She's still spilling (spewing) but not quite as much and it also seems to have helped her wind issues. Last week she was farting like you wouldn't believe, I'd never heard a baby fart like that before, she was becoming strong competition for her daddy! :laughing:
Before putting her on the new formula she had become very unsettled, always spewing, burping and farting. She couldn't get through a feed without screaming, pulling at her face and screwing herself up into a tight ball and letting out the most heartwrenching squeal, she was really breaking my heart. It was a really sad time, I just felt so bad and helpless - thank God it's getting better now. She's back to spending her awake moments making very happy little noises and smiling - she has the most adorable smile! It lights up her whole face and you can really see it in her eyes - just beautiful! :cloud9: She goes longer between feeds now, approx 4hrs during the day and 7hrs overnight.
I'm hoping to get her weighed again soon, just want to make sure she's gaining well. She's still a little bub in that she's still wearing 0000. I can get away with putting her into 000 but they're noticably too big for her. I do notice that she feels heavier when I pick her up now, and her arms and legs have filled out to the point where she has little chubby rolls here and there. At last check her weight and height were in the 25th percentile.
I've just heard Chausiku stirring so I better get off my butt and get out the vacuum before it's too late!
Have a lovely day everyone :hugs: I really do love coming here and reading from you all, I'm just sorry that I'm finding it hard to catch up with you all more personally. Please don't take offense!
*Hugs 'n Blessings*
Mrs O - that is a clever idea re pump...I am borrowing one from health nurse at mo, but notice you could attach another tube and bottle to it (Lactina select) might look into seeing as I am the Perth Dairy Cow at moment...expressing full time is hard no doubt about it! especially when you still trying to breast feed too...anything that saves time sounds good!
I was at the Gateway the other day, and felt so sad cos right where I decided to sit, two other bf mummies sat with their babies, I felt guilty for using a bottle(especially as noone would know it is bmilk) and for some reason jealous they were bfeeding...so silly!!! especially as Holden was so happy...
Oh Hun, I could have written your post word for word!!! :eek: I was at Gateways last week sitting at Gloria Jeans bottle feeding Lori and I just felt so bad. I wanted to tell everyone who was looking at me that it really was mummies milk! (Just as a side note, Gloria Jeans are refusing to give a cup of hot water to warm bubs bottle, even if you order drinks/food :banghead: Needless to say I was not impressed and next time will be getting a cup of tea with the tea bag on the side! :laughing:) Anyway, if you ever want to catch up at Gateways and bottle feed our babies together, please just let me know, I would love to!
Oh, and the Guardian pharmacy have the bottle and tubing sets to make the pumps into double pumps. I definately recommend it, I am saving so much time already!
Signed,
Live Action Cow (That's my nickname :p)
misskittyfantastico
26-03-2008, 18:24
Hi lufflies,
I'm trying to read and keep up - I posted personals...took me FOR AGES one handed - and then lost them (boo hoo) so just a quick ramble for now.
We spent Easter with my parents and Grandparents, which was lovely, but also meant two 7 1/2 hour car trips....I am frazzled, to say the least.
Millie is really pushing all my buttons atm and we don't do the yelling or smacking thing either, but by gosh, I'm nearly losing the plot.
Hamish has really bad wind too atm and is so uncomfortable, poor love...I feel as though I'm just floundering a bit atm.
I hope you're all well
Sxxx
Sparrowgal
26-03-2008, 19:04
Hi girls!
Yummyumyums: Did you change your avatar? Coz Chausiku looks so cute and chubby in that pic, hard to believe she's still so little! Sorry to hear about the reflux, glad new formula is helping with it. And wow on the 4hrs and 7hrs! Is that because of the formula or coz Chausiku is just an awesome bub? :)
Misskittyfantastico: Good to hear from you and glad you had a nice easter.
Tillie&B: I am glad you can type and express coz I can't! I seem to spend lots of time massaging lumps, and sometimes it takes AGES for let-down to happen when I express despite me stimulating nipple and looking at baby and trying to get the whole calm mind thing happening.
Erika is not sleeping again. Though she slept like an angel last night she is screaming her head off with every feed today. She probably has 3 sucks and then drops the boob and screams. I don't see any thrush in her mouth, and it's taking AGES to burp her... I think it's all wind coz after she burped she settled. And man is she pooping like anything today, dropped her at my MIL's while I went to the real estate agent to get my keys and in 2.5 hours they changed 5 pooey nappies. Anyway she is now sleeping in DH's arms so that's good. I was going to feed her at 8pm but since she's sleeping I'll see how long i can stretch it out.
Real estate agent annoyed me big time. Trying to rent my old townhouse coz I can't sell it (which is a bummer for the big mortgage on new house) and one of the real estate agents I rang took the key to inspect the house and left the ducted air con running, a few lights on AND left the front door unlocked for 6 days! When DH went to the house on the weekend and found all that he went ballistic and says there is no way they're having our business. What a waste of electricity :( that annoys me more than the cost of the electricity. Grrr if I wasn't housebound coz I'm not roadworthy this wouldn't have happened....
Ok now baby awake, gonna feed her... later all.
mythreelittlemonkeys
26-03-2008, 19:40
SG - Holden been like that today...powerspewed too...wondering if it the healthy diet I am trying to be on...praps he prefered cake and naughty stuff! Very frustrating though all the wind, pulling off, then fussing on bottle and the heaps of poopy nappies...
The expressing for me is easy in that I have so much milk it literally falls out, I found out today too that I dont have thrush (poor Holden having that yucky paint for weeks) I have dermatitis in my boob? confusing to me!:confused: anyhow steroid cream apparently is the way to go...
MrsO - deffo - we will have to organise that sometime! Weds and Thurs good for me as Tillie at daycare *I supposed to be doing books and other work* but any excuse to get out is good!
MissKF - Wow 7 1/2 hours that is alot! You are v good too no raising voices...I dont smack but have to say voice does get raised sometimes!
Yummyyumyums - we have a master farter - that I promise would match your little miss :) That is a gorgeous avatar - how old was she then? Holden is still in 0000 in most brands (hard to tell as alot UK) all except Bonds where he is now 000. We have our 6 week appoint with CHN tomorrow so will get all his stats I guess :)
Goodmorning all.
Just a quick post, as little miss has just begun to stir. Update to my previous post, I have decided that there is no way I can give up breastfeeding completely, so I have opted to go with the expressing and adding thickener to the milk, or making the thickener into a gel and putting it into her mouth before a feed, as well as comping with the thickened formula. She had EBM with the thickener yesterday and today, and lo and behold she didnt bring it all up. So fingers crossed it will continue to be good.
We are on day 7 of the losec, so in the next week we should see a noticeable difference in her. I must admit that she has been a lot less unsettled the last few days, and sleeping a few blocks here and there in the day. She is still good overnight sleeping around 6 hours then 2 3 hour blocks, which is good. I must say though, I cant wait until she completely drops the 3.30am feed! Although last night I fed her at 10.30pm, and then she didn't stir for a feed until 4.30am, but then she managed to stretch out to 5.15am, so gotta be happy with that!
yummyyumyums - sorry to hear that Chausiku might have reflux, it is a hard road, hopefully you get it sorted soon. The formula I give Kauri is the Karicare HA-AR as it is hypo-allergenic for sensitive bellies and thickened for the reflux too. DS was on this aswell.
Tillie - I have an electric breastpump, and i find that if i express 3 times a day, my breasts are so full they let down quick and seem to drain really quickly. It's getting easier now as it becomes part of my routine :)
MrsO - thats terrrible about Gloria Jeans, the GJ at my local has heated the water in the microwave before for my DS, so i wonder if they are all different depending on the store.
Sparrowgirl - that is so unprofessional about the real estate agent! I would be so ****ed off. What was their excuse? I would be filing a complaint with their head office and demanding someone be reprimanded over it. They should pay some of your electricity bill.
Well that's all from me. Hope everyone and their bubs are all well.
Hi Ladies,
I have been really slack with my posts, but love coing on and reading how you are all going, it is so reassuring to know all the things are not just happening to me.
Tess is going really well, growing so quickly now. So many people told me the 6th week would be hard and she would be restless and sooky as it would be a big growth spurt, and I have to agree. Last week we had a few crazy nights and she would not have long sleeps during the day. But she turned 7weeks on Monday and we have our old girl back. Sleeping well, eating well and overall very content. Sometimes I cannot believe how much I love her :kiss:
Sat night was the worst but I figured out that was my fault, too mant hot cross buns, poor little thing screamed for hours. And I was home by myself so that was a real test, but we got through it and slept most of the day Sunday to recover.
I am sorry to hear some of you are having issues with b/f & reflux. I hope you can get them sorted out real soon. :hugs:
Next week busy for us, lots of doc appointments, immunisations Monday then RCH later in the week to see about Tess's operation for her cleft lip, which I am feeling pretty anxious about. :(
Take Care All & have a good week :smiliedance:
MrsO - deffo - we will have to organise that sometime! Weds and Thurs good for me as Tillie at daycare *I supposed to be doing books and other work* but any excuse to get out is good!
We'll have to catch up, I'll PM you!
Oh, and my little one will most certainly give yours a run for his money in the farting stakes! She has achieved Master Farter status at the tender age of 4 weeks :laughing:
dormouse
27-03-2008, 22:47
Hi girls.
I have had so little time to myself lately that I haven't had a chance to get on here & post.
Ava has been really trying my patience & is constantly wanting to be on me. If I am feeding Talen or trying to settle him she wants cuddles or just has to sit on my lap too. Otherwise she is doing things she knows she is not allowed to do because I can't get up & stop her.
I've had a bad week this week. It was my birthday yesterday which is my least favorite day of the year these days as it always works out that we are broke at the end of March so I haven't gotten a birthday present from DH is 4 years. My family did spoil me which was great but it never fails to disappoint me when I realise DH hasn't even gotten me a card.
Talen has also been a handful. He has become very unsettled & cries if I am not holding him all the time. DH got off work early today & took care of Ava so I could go & do a little bit of shopping just with Talen. He cried the entire time I was at the shops & had to be carried while I pushed the pram. I usually put him in the sling at the shops but I was trying on clothes so I had him in the pram instead. He HATES the pram!! I was getting those sympathetic smiles left right & centre. Talen also HATES the car & cries the whole time so I generally cry the whole time too.
He is still sleeping well at night but the 2 kids are really starting to take there toll on me during the day. DH is pushing me to start giving Talen a bottle so he can look after him & give me a break every now & then but that is upsetting me too because I have been so set on bf for at least 8 months.
Anyway, this has turned into more of a whinge/vent than anything else so I'm sorry.
I will try to do personals tomorrow Talen is up for his feed.
Take care!
Mrso, I haven’t read back any further than a few days ago but it sounded like you had been using a nipple shield. With my first I used one for 6 weeks before he and I go the hang of that BF thing together. If you really want to do it, don’t give up, it will happen eventually. BTW the photos are beautiful. Tell me something, how on earth do these photographers get your baby to stay asleep and change all those poses?
Willowgirls, we discovered when DS2 was 7 months old he was allergic to eggs and dairy. I was still feeding and had to give them up myself which was tough but its amazing what you can do for your kids. As a bonus I lost 8 kilos in the following 3 months. He is nearly 3 and has now outgrown in almost completely and can eat almost anything without the dreaded rash appearing. He discovered chocolate last weekend!
Elissas, I’m with the rest of the girls, your posts are amazing, you seem to have this wisdom that comes with many more years than you have clearly been on this planet (I looked at some of your photos! You are younger than I!)
Duchessa, we don’t smack our kids either but I take my hat off to you with a no yelling policy. I am gonna blame it on a house full of men (till Mackenzie came into this world) Men don’t hear anything unless you yell it at them!!!! Especially when there is football or Rugby on telly.
Jaidevsmum, I have yelled at Fletcher when I am just being impatient or busy and then find myself a minute later apologising to him and feeling awful. I am so lucky a big hug is all he needs to forgive me.
Poor Mackenzie has had thrush in her mouth over Easter and feeding her was not easy, she must have had a sore mouth and was constantly pulling off or just sucking on the end of my nipple which was agony. The drops the doctor prescribed made her miserable and gave her tummy pains but we got through it with some Infants friend and a bit of patience, funny how I can be patient at times and not at others.
My DH is off to Sydney this weekend to watch a rugby match. Most of you might think it would be a worry but the other night he went to the rugby here in Melbourne and when he got home at 10ish I had all kids in the house fed, bathed and sound asleep. Reminded me of my days as a single mum (after my first marriage broke up) and how easy things seemed with no one to worry about but DS1 and myself.
Fletcher’s favourite DVD at the moment is Curious George. For those of you who haven’t come across it, it’s a cartoon about a monkey but the soundtrack is by Jack Johnson and it is about 60% music. Like most of you, it is just on in the background while he plays but it is so much nicer as background music than any other DVD I have come across yet.
It turns out Lockie (my 11 year old) has the magic touch with Mackenzie. When ever she is upset and I can’t get to her, whether it be I am with a client or am elbow deep in washing/dishes etc he picks her up and gets her to sleep every time. Last night I had 2 clients here and DH couldn’t settle her so I yelled out to give her to Lockie to try and sure enough, he did it.
I went out today and bought the Priscilla Dunstan DVD on baby language and am dying to watch it and hopefully understand what my little dumpling is trying to tell me. Hope its not a load of rubbish, it wasn’t cheap. Has anyone else heard of it or tried it?
I am off to the health centre on Monday but really don’t need the scales to tell me Mackenzie is gaining weight well. The poor thing has my thighs and extra chin already and is plumping up beautifully. We will have to put her on a diet by week 5 if she keeps this pace up!!!
Dingo, good luck at RCH and the operation with Tess. They are angels at that place, we are so lucky to be in the same state.
And to all of you who think you have master farters, Ha! My little girl is known as bugle bum here and now gets blamed whenever there is a sound or smell floating around. Hard to believe such noise can come from such a small person. A friend of mine who has 6 kids jumped with fright the other day when Mack farted in her arms.
SO much for a quick post. better crash before I wiss my sleep time altogether.
yummyyumyums
28-03-2008, 08:27
Hi Girls!
Sparrowgal - Thanks for your lovely comments on my new avatar, I love your av too, your little poommachine is so cute!
Chausiku's always been a good sleeper at night so I'll give myself a big head and say it's not the formula but because she is an awesome bub! :D
I was shocked to read about your dealings with that real estate agent, I'd have been madder than hell. Seems some people just don't care if it doesn't belong to them. Thank God nothing was damaged.
I'm also sorry to hear about Erika not sleeping well and having wind probs, I sincerely feel for you and hope she settles down for you real soon. :hugs:
TillieAndBug - How's your little master farter going today? I'm sure he could out fart my little miss, especially as she now hardly farts at all! It really did fascinate me how so much noise could come from such a little bottom.
Thanks for your lovely comment on my avatar, the pic was taken when Chausiku was 5wks old.
I hope all went well with your little man's 6wk check yesterday. :hugs:
Laus - I have heard about the AR formulas that are also HA but I haven't managed to find any where I live, and considering the improvement at the moment I'd be a little reluctant to change formula again IYKWIM.
I wish you all the best with your efforts to continue BF your little one :hugs: and I hope the Losec helps her too.
dormouse - :hugs: I really feel where you are at the moment and understand completely. My thoughts are with you and I sincerely hope things get better real soon.
Chausiku had a beautiful day yesterday, lots of sleep, and all her awake moments were pure pleasure. She was full of happy noises and smiles.
Something I've noticed about her recently is that she really knows who I am in that she doesn't seem to really want to be with anyone but me. She will grizzle if I walk out of the room where she can't see me, which I wasn't expecting to happen this soon. She's very alert and bright eyed, watching everything around her. She now follows me around the room with her eyes, even turning her head so she can still see me. It's really sweet and makes me feel good - it gives me something to hold onto during the tough moments when it feels like I'm not doing anything right, IYKWIM!
I gotta scoot for now and get some chores done while she's still sleeping.
Have a lovely day everyone, and an even better weekend. :hugs: take care!
mythreelittlemonkeys
28-03-2008, 16:25
Hi everyone
We had a really windy night here in Perth, well specifically my house! No sleep for Mummy, little for Holden, only Tillie and Spot the Dog got shut eye...poor little man was so full of it :( all his burps were stuck and he couldnt fart either was squirming and grunting all night...in the end I lay propped up on pillows with him on my chest... that seemed to soothe him a bit...he been better today so i am going to cut down on greens :( from my diet as I have been having lots of those recently as part of my health kick back to prepreggo body (2005) - not that I didnt eat before just been eating heaps of fruit and veggies past few days...
I am soooooo tired and missy not taken her nap - despite being so tired she stumbling around and very short tempered - tried twice before and after lunch and she just aint doing it...
Funny how some days I really feel on top of having 2 under 2 and we get heaps done and then days like today even a trip to library brings me out in sweats, and is really stressful...was supposed to have Holdens passport pics done too but just couldnt as they were both unhappy...
Oh and Holdens 6 week stats were W - 4520g, L - 56cm HC 37cm....all pretty average I think...though not sure as I still havent been given any charts for my purple book...he put on a whopping 400g in last week...so I am doing something right even if it via the bottle...he is very alert, and rolled for the CHN who I think was a bit dubious when I said he had done this already, his nexk strength is also amazing...must be down to all the tummy time he has had...
Okay sorry this post a bit self absorbed but personals sometimes trickier when limited time...
Have a great weekend everyone :)
Georgie, Tillie and Holden :wave:
I'm going to ask this here, cause I think it might be a silly question....Layla has been grunting and groaning for 24hrs almost non stop. Is this normal? is she ok? She doesnt seem to be in pain or colicky, she's not crying either. but she's grunting really loudly even in her sleep (and ours, not much sleep to be had last night)
Phew! What a day.
We had DD's birthday party today and I am knackered! So is Alexi, she passed out on her couch nearly three hours ago and she's still there .
Had a horrible night last night. Wound up with about 4 hours of broken sleep :sleeping:
We're having wind problems. I thought it was cow's milk so I cut that out. Then yeast, now what!?
I found out today too that I dont have thrush (poor Holden having that yucky paint for weeks) I have dermatitis in my boob? confusing to me!:confused: anyhow steroid cream apparently is the way to go...
I have heard of that. Is it painful? Hope it clears soon.
Laus, I hope it goes well with BF. Glad to hear she kept down that feed.
Dormouse, Alexi does the same thing. She's definitely her naughtiest when I'm feeding Dylan.
Happy birthday for Thursday. I'm sorry about your hubby. He needs a kick up the bum. It's not hard to get a card and it would obviously mean so much *hugs*. Glad to hear your family spoilt you :D
Ofiona, Dylan's on drops for thrush as well, only started yesterday. Maybe that's why he was so windy last night. Shame the chemist is shut :thumbsdown:
RE Dunstan baby language. It works here for us! I love it. But you really have to see and hear the baby making the sounds on the dvd to know what to look for with your bub. Definitely a good buy :yes:. Luckily I didn't have to buy it, I saw it on Oprah. :p
Yummuyumyums, it makes you feel special doesn't it?
Not sure Nex. Does she seem to be in pain? Dylan grunts, but only usually when he's stretching.
Alright, babe is sleeping beautifully in her pram post walk, so I'm going to try and get some personals done:
Laus - I'm so glad you decided to go with maintaining breastfeeding, that is great news. Sounds like Kauri is really responding well too, which is fantastic. And it doesn't sound like expressing is too hard, I'm like you, the milk flows pretty freely.
Dingo - I only just remembered that Tess has a cleft lip, wow, she's done fantastically with feeding and such, hasn't she! Completely normal to feel anxious about the op, just remember that you are in the best of hands, doctors and nurses at childrens hospitals are absolutely brilliant! Make sure you keep us updated!
Dormouse - Oh hun, you sound like you're having a tough time. I really hope you've had some improvement since you posted. And hubbies can be so thick sometimes! My DH has been guilty of not doing a card, I mean when you aren't getting a pressie it really isn't that hard to do, is it? One year he actually ended up going out to a 24hr service station at 11pm at night to get a card because I pulled him up on it. I'm glad to hear your family spoilt you, but I'm thinking that you might have to start a small savings fund throughout the year and then when it comes to your birthday you can go out and treat yourself! :hugs:
Ofiona - Yes we're using shields when she booby feeds, they are a pain in the @rse but they are the only way she will suck. I really do hope we see some improvement soon, I have heard many people say it can take ages for it to work out. And as for the photos, well I was so happy, Lori stayed asleep the entire time we were there. But supposedly this is very rare, the photographer said most of the time the photos are snapped in between screaming fits :D
YY - That is so gorgeous about Chausiku following you around and getting clingy!!! You must be one proud mumma! Lori is only now starting to really 'see', if you know what I mean, but I think she knows who I am. We are only just four weeks, which I suppose is one of the baby's of the group.
T&B - That is so impressive about Holdens weight gain, you must be doing a whole heap right!
Nex - I think that is pretty normal, but I would keep an eye on it and make sure she isn't in pain. How is everything else going?
Alicia - We're all destined to live on a diet of yeast free bread and water aren't we :D It is tough, I must admit I didn't realise that breastfeeding would require such a strict diet, I must have missed that part of 'baby prep 101'
Mahna - Where are you darl? Hope everything is going alright, in your last post things weren't too crash hot, hope you're coping and Jas is happy. Thinking of you...
Hi to everyone else!!!
Right, well a quick update on us. Feeding problems remain much the same, except we've increased with the expressed feeds because Lori just isn't taking enough from a booby feed, she only manages about 50mls, and that takes 90mins! But with the bottles she likes to take up to 120mls now. Combined with the fact that she isn't really putting on weight (we are still at birth weight but 4cm longer :() I think it is more important to get the milk into her than push her to feed on the boob. But she does have at least one a day, and sometimes just a bit of a comfort suck, which is nice, I love the closeness of breastfeeding. I think if and when we go onto full time expressed feeds I will still put her on the boob for comfort sucks, a bit of 'Mum and Bub' time.
Just to make life even easier I found myself in hospital last night from a UTI that got out of hand. It started on Sat but I was trying to cope with it using natural methods because I was hesitant to go on antibiotics. I was going alright too, until yesterday when it spread to my left kidney. Dropped Lori at my FIL's place and headed to emergency. They were going to keep me in and have bub board in with me, but the doc let us go home after some fluid and IV antibiotics. We just had to go back today for another dose of antibiotics, and now I'm on oral ones for 5 days. So much for not subjecting her to antibiotics :rolleyes: Fortunately I have enough EBM that she wont be subjected to any of the IV stuff, and hopefully the oral ones wont upset her tummy too much. I'm a bit p!ssed off because we were finally getting somewhere with her tummy problems, they were really improving heaps, and now we're going to take 10 steps back. Nevermind, better than being horrendously sick. Oh man, I tell you, that pain of a kidney infection took me back to labour, I would really rank it almost on the same scale, it was intense!!!
Alright, off to spend some more time with Brad http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee7/MrsO_photo/bre_advanced_l.jpg :p
GizmoKel
30-03-2008, 19:47
Hi everyone!
Been awhile since I've been here so I'll go back just a little...
Laus - Thats fantastic that you decided to keep going with the expressing! Hopefully she continues to go good with doing that and adding the thickener.
Dingo - good to hear that your little one is sleeping great again etc! You just reminded me to set a reminder in my phone about immunisations!
MrsO - Oh you poor thing about the UTI! :hugs:
Thats all you need especially after the probs with feeding etc. I teally hope you are feeling better soon! And thats a good idea about putting Lori on your boob for comfort sucks...will make you both feel better :)
Dormouse - HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the other day! That sucks about not having the money to get pressies. We do the same here...just a card from the girls etc as we would rather spend what money we have on their birthdays etc. But I'm sorry you didn't get a card either :(
I understand all about Talen being unsettled and crying during the day etc and how hard it is with 2! Alyssa also sleeps well at night but the day is maybe a few 20mins sleeps here and there and its impossible to get anything done or spend quality time with Kyla.
ofiona - LOL about bugle bum! That is just so cute!
Yummyyumyums - Thats fantastic about Chausiku following you around the room and all the smiles etc! Makes all the problems seem so insignificant and makes your heart melt!
Tillieandbug - Yay about Holden rolling! That is amazing!
Nex - I have no idea about the grunting sorry. Our Alyssa is a major grunter but she has always done it..not just for a certain time period.
Alicia - I hope you can get the wind pains sorted out soon. Sometimes I think broken sleep is harder to manage then no sleep at all...always makes me feel worse.
Well for our update not much has changed. Alyssa still doesn't sleep much, except for today when she has slept great but I'm not getting my hopes up. Usually its a max of 20 mins a few times a day.
Kyla has been really sick the last few days with a flu like bug but improved greatly today as well and was making up for all the mischief she
missed but after seeing her so sick thats fine :)
I still have sore boobs after stopping expressing 2 weeks ago but I think now I may have some kind of dermatitis or something as my nipples went all cracked and dry about 8 days after I stopped and rubbing against my bra is very painful all day. But last night I put lanisoh cream on and today they have been much better so hopefully they continue to improve.
Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes!
And sorry to everyone I haven't written a personal to but I only went back as far as this page I was on as puter is too old and slow to bring too many posts up quickly.
Take Care everyone!
Sparrowgal
31-03-2008, 03:29
Sigh, Erika is not sleeping soundly so she's in her rocker again and I'm pushing her with my foot while I write.
Laus: glad to hear the losec is working well! 6 hour sleeps overnight - oh I wish! That's great :)
Dingo: Like MrsO, I totally forgot Tess had a cleft lip, good luck for the surgery (I'm really impressed with her feeding!)!
Dormouse: Happy birthday for last Thursday, and I'm sorry to hear DH is being a typical male. Glad your family spoilt you though. About DH wanting to help, can you express and make a bottle up for him so he can do some feeding? There is a constant bottle of expressed milk in the fridge (I think it came from an oversleep and Erika got a formula bottle made up and I expressed for comfort, and somehow I always seem to be one feed ahead IYKWIM) which is used for DH when he wants to feed her or when I take her over to be babysat by MIL while I do shopping or something, and I'm naughty if erika doesn't feel like drinking the whole boob I express what's left and put it in the fridge for later.
MrsO: Gosh that UTI sounds awful, I am glad you're getting better. Antibiotics are horrible I hate them too, and try to do anything NOT to take them. Sorry to hear that bub's weight is not great and the hard boobfeeds. Though I have to tell you, when you said you were spending time with Brad and had a pic-link, I thought, what on earth... (expected some semi-naked couple entwined type professional pic) and laughed when I saw what it really was! I think it's just too early in the morning and it's been too long since DH and I last... you know! Gosh it really has been a long time... YIKES.
Ofiona: Lockie is so great! I read that and got the warm fuzzies, that is adorable that a sibling can do that :) Hugs to your little buglebum!
Nex: My girl grunts and makes noises all night and in her sleep. DH finds it really stressful he thinks she sounds like she's choking or something, but I feel a bit guilty coz I sleep straight thru it. DH can't sleep at all when it's his turn to do "night shift" because of all the noise, even if she's sleeping. In fact she's doing it now. I don't know if it's normal though, but you're not alone! Though if you find out it's something bad, can you tell me too?
T&B: Holden's stats look great! Hope my bub is that good at 6 weeks.... which is this week!
YYY: I keep forgetting one Y when I type your name, thanks for the comments on my poomachine! Hearing about Chausiku being cute and following and recognising you made me smile :yes:
Gizmokel: glad to hear kyla is better, and hope your boobs go that way too :)
Erika slept so well yesterday, and was an angel all day. She even stayed with daddy and his 3 friends while they played LOUD shooting games on XBox and she slept or was sitting in her rocker and didn't cry at all. I don't know why her colic is so much better today. Though I have been drinking peppermint tea for the last 2 days wonder if that helped (I drink it for MY wind problems :D). I don't know what things to cut from my diet to help with her wind, coz I already have a lactose free diet because I'm lactose intolerant. Somebody said eating lots of greens gives wind? Why is that?
I suspect her sleeping well all day would make her be awake all night but she's just grunting constantly now but asleep in her rocker (amazing how long i've been at the computer!).
OK I'm going to go try lying down again... :sleeping:
Phyllis Stein
31-03-2008, 10:44
Hi all! :wave:
Wow, so much to catch up on!
Mrs O, aw, thanks for thinking of lil ol' me - I'd be on more regularly, except it's a bit frustrating having to type one handed while feeding Jas (and that's about all he seems to want to do!). Anyway, he's asleep now, so I have a moment.
I really feel for you re the feeding - am so impressed that you're commited to long-term expressing if necessary - many in your position would give up. You're an inspiration. Keep up with the comfort sucking - it is the loveliest 'together' time isn't it? :goodvibes:
That's awful re the UTI!! What timing huh? Remember to take the probiotics (but I'm sure you already know that being the smart cookie you are ;)).
Sparrow, I can't remember if it was you, but I think you may have asked me about the Meh Tai? If so, I really like it - the only problem I have is that Jas is so heavy & it only has thin shoulder straps, so they dig in on my shoulders a bit. I prefer the HAB as long as the weather's not too warm.
Yeah, bubs seem to have good days & bad, like the rest of us I guess! I hope Erika settles down for you soon!
Gizmo, wow, things still sound tough in your world at the moment - poor you re the sore boobs. It's really nasty isn't it? Hope Alyssa gets the hang of nice, long day sleeps for you!
Alicia, wow, you're a brave woman facing a child's birthday party atm! No wonder you're knackered after that & only 4 hours sleep! We've had a few nights like that, & they really play with your system. We just keep telling ourselves it's not forever.
Nex, Jas is a grunter too - my advice is to listen to your instinct on this - if you feel it's abnormal, then have it checked out.
Everyone else, hope you're all well, and I'll try & keep up a bit more now.
Update on us, well, things seem to be improving. Jas still feeds every 2-3 hours during the day, and most nights too. But 2 nights ago, he had 2 sleeps of 3.5 hours long!!!!! :smiliedance:We felt so refreshed I can tell you. Other than that, Jas is growing astronomically. At our last weigh-in at 4 weeks, 5 days, he weighed 5.4kg!!! And he was 61.5cm long. This boy really enjoys his tucker!
We're really starting to enjoy this now - before, we were just too exhausted & lacked confidence I think, but now we're a bit more used to everything, getting to know our boy a bit better, and work put what he needs, this whole parenting caper's becoming a real joy. :cloud9:
fabulouscazza
31-03-2008, 11:45
Hi All! :wave:
I have been extremely lazy, reading posts, but not actually posting myself.... must improve on this!
Now I have so much to write!
Riley is 4 and a half weeks old now, and it feels like she has been in our family forever.
We started off a little rocky with feeding... She was born on Thursday night, and would not attach at all until Saturday arvo, and then it was a screaming tantrum nightmare. She now feeds like a trooper, and we are transitioning from the footy hold (she would only feed this way) into the front (dunno what it's called) across my chest hold. She is growing well, and I'm glad i persevered and didn't start expressing and giving it to her. I'm a bit proud of us really.
She slept quite well for the first 2 or so weeks, waking roughly 3-4hourly, even at night with the odd 6 hour sleep. She then started to not sleep so well, bring up much more milk then she was, and screaming at night, not wanting to be put down at all. She went from going to sleep at 9-10pm to being awake into the early hours of the morning, latest has been 3am! needless to say, my DH and I were extremely sleep deprived. I worked out from the wonderful bub hubbers that she might have reflux. we are going to the GP tomorrow to have this confirmed. I bought a wedge for her cot, and have had her upright post feeds for 20 mins or so, and have cut dairy out of my diet and we do see an improvement. Best night sleep last night - she went to bed at 10pm, and slept til 5:15am! that's over 7 hours! I feel so rested today! Hopefully this might be a turning point, but I'm not getting my hopes up too early.
I feel for all of you with feeding/sleeping/reflux issues - It is so hard!
I never thought parenting would be easy, but Riley has definately thrown us some curly ones.
Has anyone tried calling the 24 hour MCHN line (victoria)? ALWAYS engaged, very frustrating. Apparently Nurse On Call have a midwife, so I will be trying them if i need to call again.
I hope everyone had a lovely first easter with their bubs.
I promise to not just lurk anymore, but to also post! :o
yummyyumyums
01-04-2008, 12:24
Hi All! :wave:
Gotta be quick today as Chausiku is grunting away like a little piggy - a sure sign that she's waking up, so I'm not sure how long I'll have to sit here.
Her reflux still hasn't totally settled, though Im convinced the Novolac AR formula has certainly had a positive effect. Today i've started her on Marina Infant Mixture, which is herbal remedy for wind, colic and reflux. :fingerscrossed: that it helps her. Would you believe that she can go through up to 4 outfits in an hour! My washing machine is certainly getting a good workout. I've just purchased some more bibs this morning, and Mum gave me 6 lovely hand towels to use as burp cloths, or should I say spew cloths! They're so cute, with snoopy, deers, miffy and other characters.
Oops, she's just woken up to spew, poor dolly. So no time for personals sorry :no: too difficult to juggle her and type at the same time.
Mahna - your little man is growing so well!! Happy to hear he slept so well for you, you both must feel really refreshed and like new people now. ;)
To everyone else, I'm really thankful that you're all here to listen to my babble, and to share with us your experiences. I don't know anyone in my town that has a bub, so coming here helps me to feel more normal, iykwim! :hugs:
Have a lovely day all - big cuddles and smiles to your little bundles.
xx
YYY, keep in mind that plain old cloth nappies make excellent 'chuck' cloths. I have them all over the house and Mackenzie isn't even a chucker! Its an old habit from 12 years ago with Lockie. But hey, they saved a lot of clothes for him, me and anyone else in the vacinity.
Just a quicky girls. I have had a horrible couple of days with Mackenzie not sleeping at the right times and having dreadful wind. After suffering through and getting a total of 6 hours sleep over 2 nights in blocks of an hour most of the time, I rememebered that with baby number 3 I was not going to wait till the 6 month mark to get a full nights sleep, so last night I gave her a bottle of formula for her last feed and low and behold, she slept for 6 hours straight. Ah bliss. SHe has just had one tonight too and looks like she might be out for the coulnt again. SHe has even managed to put herself to sleep a few times today instead of being rocked, held or fed to sleep. Clearly the quality of my milk hasn'e been an issue with any of my kids, they have all gained weight beautifully. Mackenzie is my best weight gainer yet. But I think with 3 kids and a home business I had to sacrifice something this time round in order to get some sleep. I don't feel like I have failed anything, I feel like I have made a smart decision to stay healthy mentally and physically and one feed a day is not the end of the world.
So as early as it is, I am gonna go to bed. My DH is actually awake so that is a bit of a novelty but dont worry, he needn't get any ideas, he still hasn't had the snip and their are no, shall we say, rain coats in the house!(sorry if TMI) Not risking another little bubba this lifetime!
night night.
Sparrowgal
01-04-2008, 23:48
A big hi to fabulouscazza and Mahna, good to hear from you both!
Mahna: Thanks for that! Gonna make that meh tai then. I'll make the straps thicker and pad them and see how that goes, thanks for the tip on that. I'm glad things are much more settled now (though you were on :cloud9: anyway whether good or bad, you've got a fantastic positive attitude :)). And Jas is doing great - that's a fantastic weigh-in!
Ofiona: I too use old nappies too as spew cloths, I use them for everything actually! From drying the baby after a bath to spew cloths to emergency nappy, those terry towel nappies are great. And I tuck them just under my bra when i'm feeding coz Erika spits the nipple out sometimes after letdown has made her cough from drinking too fast and milk just goes EVERYWHERE...
It's funny, I just read what ofiona wrote about formula at night and I had just given Erika one (coz I've run out of fridged EBM and need to do a catch up one, and I want Erika to get used to both formula and BM for when I go back to work) and she is out like a light. I never noticed that before, but then again she is usually only having formula when I'm not with her.
Erika is cooing and making sounds so much now, i had to record them because they were so cute. It really makes your heart feel so warm and fuzzy when your little one smiles at you and makes those adorable sounds, especially after weeks of crying, coughing and burping being the only sounds she made! (and of course farting)
mythreelittlemonkeys
02-04-2008, 05:59
just out of interest do you guys mix EBM and formula or just give them formula straight? We still pumping away here (just got 300mls - was one bottle down so kinda had to!) but was thinking if there was an emergency or my supply was a bit short if I could do that...had a few good bfeeds here and there where he has kinda settled afterwards - he seems to like the footy position better...but he still really too lazy to suck efficiently and think will always need a top up with EBM...also noticed he more windy after breast feeding sessions...think he sucks in air and only getting foremilk...but we do comfort suck/skin to skin every feed unless I out (cos he such a galah on the boob I cant feed him without exposing everything!)then I just give him the bottle...
Apart from that all good! He very alert now when awake - especially if we out and about - he already becoming a little social bug when at playgroup passed from one set of arms to another...and never cries (apart from with Mummy!). Cant wait for DH to come home next Monday to see how much he has changed...starting to put him into some 000 &0-3 month now though they are huge, just some of his 0-1 month stuff and 0000 Bonds stuff getting to short on him. Did I say he smiling too...:D
Okay personals another time! Meeting Mrs O today so really excited about that :smiliedance: in Tillies birth group everyone was over east so I never have met anyone from BH...apart from a couple of lovely FIFO mummies.
Speak to you all soon xx
Hi
My little girl Ada was born on the 17th Feb. So she's now 6 1/2 weeks.
I've been reading through the posts but has taken me a little while to post in this thread.
MrsO - I love the photos you had taken. I'm amazed your little one slept the whole time. My DH & I got some taken with our girl at 3 weeks in my brother in laws studio and she managed to wee over me and poo on her father. I couldn't stop laughing. Definitely worth it though.
Gizmokel - I had to give up breast feeding (well expressing) after 3 weeks due to health issues. I found my nipples got quite sore and dry after stopping, but seem to have settled down now.
Ada is a really placid girl. She mostly sleeps well. She is in 3-4 hour feeds around the clock. She has had some problems with the formulas and we are now trying her on lactose free :fingerscrossed:. In just 24 hours there has been a huge change. She is even more relaxed and not trying to scrunch up into a ball all day.
She also has thrush in her mouth from antibiotics I had to take while still BF. After 3 weeks on pharmacy stuff, my natropath has given some pro-biotic powder to try for her which should also help her upset gut.
Those of you who said you use cloth nappies for chuck clothes, they are great. Ive also cut a couple up into four so they are like hankies to stick under her chin to catch the leaks while drinking from the bottle. Since she was prem we had to keep stripping her down so she wouldn't fall asleep sucking, and the big ones kept covering her completely and she got too cozy. I think she is going to have them as security blankets though because she grabs hold of them and stops crying and won't let go til she's asleep.
I better go typing one handed and holding her is getting tiring.
Hi everyone. Another day in the reflux baby household where the tears come from mummy and baby :(
Things have been a bit rough this last week. It seems the 2 day break through we had, was very short-lived, and we are back to where we started, even with the medication dosage being adjusted. So we still have one very unsettled baby, who is either awake, crying or screaming majority of the time, and a two year old who is into everything and at your feet at the same time :hair:
I am losing my milk, and only have enough to express approx 100ml a day, and i have a throat infection on top of that. So all in all not the most pleasant of weeks. But having said all that she has been a little bit better than most days today, so I am nice and calm today. Fingers crossed we get it all worked out soon.
Seeing the paed tmw.
Anyways, sorry no personals, she has just woken again, so off i go.
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
03-04-2008, 16:26
Must be quick - he'll wake any minute. Sorry havent been around much or time to do personals. Since I last posted that we had a good day with sleeps Taj hasnt slept during the day at all. Ok, I lie - he has probably had about 5 20min sleeps in that time - maybe 2 weeks time I think? So I've been getting a little desperate. Going for long walks so that at least he would get one descent sleep in the sling - good for losing baby weight I suppose. I started to think it might be silent reflux because he would wake with a real cry of pain every time I lay him down...oops - there he is again....will finish later
Mel
GizmoKel
03-04-2008, 18:49
Hey just a quick post...
Mel - It sounds like we have the same baby! Alyssa also sleeps a few times a day for 15-20mins and the rest of the time is wide awake. Does Taj throw up much? Alyssa will be like dead tired and laying there with her eyes closed and the dummy in then she just swats it out and is wide awake again and this happens all day.
But she sleeps fine from 11pm onward to the morning (with 1 feed at around 3amish)...
If she has silent reflux would she sleep then or be the same as during the day?
What does Taj do at night?
Its bloody hard!
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
04-04-2008, 09:33
Gizmokel - Taj brings up a bit of milk but not excessive. The reasons I'm thinking silent reflux is that if I lay him flat even to change his nappy right after a feed he'll often sort of cough and splutter like he's choking and start crying, sometimes after making a burping sound, like somethings come into the back of his throat. Also I raised his matress so its on a real slope now, and started keeping him kind of upright for a while after a feed to and since doing that he's had yesterday and today a morning sleep of 1-2hrs (which is such a shock after him not having day sleeps in so long - I'm not expecting it to last because I dont want to get my hopes up).
At night he's also in bed at around 11 - 11:30pm, has a feed at anywhere from 3-5am then till morning. Before tilting his matress it was difficult getting him back down after that feed and often he'd only go 40mins and need resettling, whereas the last 2 nights he's stayed down after that feed. My theory for why he was still having that good first sleep at night was that he was just so exhausted he'd collapse into a deep sleep.
It's so difficult with a toddler and I feel for my DS1 Jai when all day long Mummy has a baby attached to her. Funny thing is now he's had these two sleeps I try to remember everything I did when I put him down so I can do EXACTLY the same next sleep and maybe get the same result, but doesnt always work that way. It's made such a difference to my sanity just the one sleep yesterday and one today. Just have to figure out how to get him down in the afternoon.
I have two mantra's I use over and over to help me cope - for coping with Taj not sleeping it's "one day he WILL sleep" and for dealing with Jai's behaviour which is difficult at times my mantra is "he's only two, he's only two, he's only two" over and over so that I dont expect to much of him.
I wonder sometimes how much of Jai's behaviour seeming difficult is him, and how much is me having no patience from lack of sleep and being drained from feeding, holding, rocking, patting and burping Taj all day long.
Jai loves Taj so much and is still so excited to see him each morning. Anytime we're in the car he sits holding Taj's hand the whole way (car seats are next to each other). The other day in the car Taj was screaming and I was silently going insane, and Jai just held his hand and was quietly chatting to him to comfort him.
I love all the smiles I get from Taj now and if I chat to him he will coo and gaaa back to me, and his eyes search for me when he hears my voice.
Okay, better go make the most of him sleeping
Mel
GizmoKel
04-04-2008, 19:10
Hi Mel,
Firstly Jai sounds so sweet and such a beautiful little boy especially with how he is in the car. When Alyssa screams in the car I go insane and Kyla couldn't care less.
I also feel for Kyla when I don't have the time etc and then when I do I'm so tired and exhausted. But we are still having our fun times...trying to go out at least once a day now and if its to the shops or something then Alyssa is usually quiet enough for Kyla to get the full attention etc.
I thought the same with Alyssa about being so tired she just went to sleep after her last feed so around 11pm but she usually goes back to sleep after her next one as well so I don't know. I think I might try the mattress on a slant and see if it helps as I need to do something.
But she doesn't do what Taj does when being changed etc or lying down so I don't know...maybe shes just a non sleeper like my other dd was.
I know what you mean about not getting your hopes up. The other day Alyssa slept for 2 hrs in the morning, had a feed and went straight back to sleep for another 2.5 hours. I was like don't get your hopes up it won't last and since then she hasn't slept more than 25mins during the day GRRR
But I really hope you have worked out what's wrong and that he starts to sleep good for you.
Take care :hugs:
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
06-04-2008, 09:02
Aww thanks Gizmokel - Jai is such a sweet little boy. I hope Alyssa starts sleeping for you at some point. Sometimes you almost hope for there to be a reason for it so that then you have a solution.
We had two better days, and now my poor little Taj is sick :( DH and I had a cold about 2 weeks ago, then DS1 has had it and is on the mend now and I was trying so hard to make sure Taj didnt get it but the poor little bub is so miserable with a stuffy nose making it hard for him to feed and sleep. He gets so distressed by it and I feel like it's my fault and I'm such a bad mum to have a little newborn sick already. Jai didnt get sick till he was 6months old. I've been out a lot but Taj is always in the sling not being touched or coughed on by others or anything. Just hard with a sick toddler to stop him touching Taj so I guess that's how he got it. It's so distressing to see him sick I dont know how people cope when there little ones are in the special care unit as newborns. He slept with me last night so I could settle him quickly everytime his stuffy nose disturbed him and also so I could reassure myself he was breathing ok.
I posted a new thread looking for those of us Feb 08 mums that are in or around Sydney but got no replies - does that mean that none of you are or just no-one has had time to reply?
Hope all your bubs are doing well and feeding and sleeping ok and you're adjusting to the end of daylight savings,
Mel
mythreelittlemonkeys
06-04-2008, 10:39
Think everyone must be really busy :) Hands full!!!
Poor little Taj - dont feel bad, like you said it virtually impossible to stop a friendly loving toddler from sharing his germs...and it is actually good for them to get colds and stuff helps build up their immune system - makes them stronger...Holden has had a cold basically on and off from birth, they think that may be one of the reasons for his poor sucking...I think the little chap just got used to it though as it doesnt seem to affect his sleeping or demeanour too much...Tillie been awful last couple of days & I have come to the conclusion it is her back molars as well as a bit of a cold...she had 10! dirty nappies yesterday and a raw bottom and was all curled up by the end of the day crying cos her bottom and tummy hurt...but thank god she slept okay last night(after3 no sleep nights)...only couple of visits in the night...and seems much perkier today...She just keeps saying teeth ooooooowww!
I not sure JaidevsMum about Sydney girls - I was pretty sure there were some but I think everyone not been on the Hub much it seems...
I hope that both yours and Gizmokels issues with reflux and poor sleepers sort themselves out soon it must be sooooooo tiring... I hope your hubbies are giving you lots of TLC :hugs:
GizmoKel
06-04-2008, 18:45
Hey
Mel - Don't feel bad. Alyssa got a bit of a cold when she was 1 week..caught of her sister of course and she also has another little one now. Its bound to happen with a toddler..your a GREAT mum!
I'm not in Sydney so thats why I haven't replied :)
TillieandBug - Aww poor Tillie. That must be hard getting those horrible molars. Thankfully Kyla got all her's early and didn't seem to have much discomfort at all...or my memory is just completly gone.
I had a huge scare today and feel like the worst mummy ever. We were about to go out and I was holding Alyssa about to put her in the car when I tripped over a solar garden light and hit the ground hard...still holding her. I'm sure she didn't hit the ground but it all happened in a blink of a eye. Alyssa just started bawling her eyes out, Kyla was screaming and went running to DH who was shutting the front door. He came running over and asked if I was alright and I was like stuff me check Alyssa. She calmed down and seeme dok but I was so worried about that shaken baby syndrome (seeing she fell with me and bounced with me) that I rang the nurse on call line. They went through their list of symptoms etc and said everything sounded fine but to keep a close eye on her etc and if anything happnes ring back or go to hospital. Well i've spent the day watching her and feeling so terrible but she seems just the same as normal, plenty of smiles and drinking ok etc so I'm sure shes ok. I went to a website just before and read that accidental falls like that will not cause shaken baby syndrome so I feel a tiny bit better but its just the feeling of OMG what if I had've dropped her or something. Its too terrible to even think about.:(
Hello lovely ladies. I am sorry it has taken me six and a half weeks to finally get on here!!! I didn't have a computer at home and I was having terrible withdrawal symptoms!!! It has taken me two days to read all the posts, but I'm now up-to-date. I won't do personals today though sorry. Have to finish getting dinner.
To those of you struggling with the bf thing - keep up the hard work lovelies.
To those of you who have had to move to formula - don't feel bad or guilty. You gave it a shot and it is your decision, your sanity, your baby's health. No judgement here.
To those struggling with reflux, colic or wind. I feel for you and hope that you can sort it out.
Our little DD Mary was born six and half weeks ago and although the time has flown by, it also feels like she has been a part of our lives forever. I ended up having a caesar - was booked in for the Thursday, but she decided that she was more than ready and decided to arrive on Wednesday instead! I was so pleased that I got to experience a little bit of labour and that she was delivered when she was ready rather than on a date set by us. I found the caesar to be an amazing and positive experience and have found the recovery no big deal. A little frustrating at times not being able to lift things and having to ask for help, but worth it for me.
Mary is a wonder child (sorry to those who are doing it tough :o). She is so content and happy - sleeps most of the time, gives us smiles or just kicks about when she's not, really only cries when she's hungry or doesn 't have her dummy. Thank goodness she loves her dummy, because otherwise she would cry all the time as she's a real sucker and my boobs just don't handle it. But as it is, she is only feeding 5 times a day at the moment, 6 at the most. She has her unsettled times during the day and is only waking once at night for a feed and then goes straight back to sleep no worries.
BF has been really painful. Took us a while to work out the attachment and my nipples are soooooooooooo sensitive :eek:. Had mastitis and nearly ended up in hospital and that boob is still sore and giving me trouble. But we are hanging in there.
Thanks elissas for all your wonderful advice.
TillieAndBug - what were the symptoms of the dermatitis in your boob? It is just that I am trying to work out what my pain might be and the doctors and health nurse aren't really coming up with answers.
Mary has just chosen this opportune moment to wake up so better go rescue her. I promise to post more from now on! Now that I am back in the world of the glorious internet - even if it is only dial-up!
OK, in a tizz now. Better go!
Oh Gizmokel, that would scared the heck out of you, you poor thing. I fell over a safety gate when i was pregnant with Kauri, and landed pretty hard, and i was sooooo worried something was going to be wrong with her. It sounds like she will be ok, but you must of been very scared.:hugs: to you.
Tillie&Bug - I hear you on the molars thing. DS is cutting his at the moment and the last two days has been a mixture of tears, screaming, low grade fevers, and one tired mummy. It is so hard sometimes, especially when all the do is cry and wont use their words to tell you what they want..etc Atleast there are only 4 of them, and 3 of Seth's have cut. Hope Tillie settles down for you soon. Hope Holden's cold goes soon, and doesnt bother him too much over winter.
Jaidevsmum - i am from sydney and replied in the thread. Sorry i didnt reply earlier, as i have this as a subscribed thread and go straight to this one so didnt see it.
To those of you questioning whether it could be reflux, because they seem to sleep better at night....this is very common. The acid produced by the stomach is a lot less at night, and reflux babies do tend to sleep ok at night. By the symptoms you are describing i would look into it more with a gp or pead, as my two both suffer from reflux, and we are only just getting Kauri sorted out now, with adjustments to her medication. Also in the day when you are with them, reflux babies get a lot of relief from laying on their stomach, so maybe try that either on the lounge or when they are particularly unsettled place them over your lap on their belly and sway your knees side to side (keeping knees together of course) and pat their back. It really seems to help, when nothing else does.
We are actually doing a lot better now and she seems to not be as unsettled as she has been, except in her 'witching hour/s'. We are feeding a lot better, and i have managed to increase my supply some, and it should surely increase more and more the more i feed her. She is keeping more down now and has finally put on weight. We are still comping with the formula though, as with the BFing she didnt gain for like 2 weeks. She is now a healthy 4.4kg at nearly 6 weeks.
We are starting to get lots of gorgeous smiles and coos. She holds her head up well, and turns it from side to side. All in all, she is a very sweet baby. :cloud9:
Well must go, she has just woken for a feed :)
Hope you all have a good day.
mythreelittlemonkeys
07-04-2008, 08:35
Laus - Yes I hope the teeth thing subsides soon, I am a very tired Mummy too, she is actually keeping me up more than Holden...Holden doesnt have reflux, just a lot of wind at times...I have always slept him during the day on his tummy as it settles him and he sleeps like a log like that! and at night he always slept on his side...I put him on his back...even to play and he is miserable...how much play time are your babies having now ie on the mat, in the rocker, in your arms? Holden still feeding sleeping most of the time, he does look around a bit when on the mat or in rocker but always crashes after a bit or grizzles for boob/bottle...Think Tillie was much more playful by now, but then she didnt have his issues to start with,and I probably spent more time with her one on one...poor Holden gets his feeds interrupted by his big sisters demands and plonked down to try and amuse her...I actually love when we go out cos he gets more attention by me and friends, as she is otherwise occupied...
GizmoKel - that must have been a shock, babies I think are fairly resilient...my Mother has dropped a few ;) and we are all fine :) she also fell down stairs with one of us and she was more hurt then baby...I think you instinctively protect the baby...nevertheless I bet yesterday was a worrying day for you...:hugs:
JaidevsMum - We are still getting up an hour earlier (8 days into wintertime in WA) it is a killer as she is needing to go to bed an hour earlier so a viscious circle...but I cant tell her its night time when the sun coming through her window cos she just says wake!
Bump - Gr8 to hear from you and news of your beautiful Mary Frances - love your av btw...the pain I have is shooting through my boob/areola and itchy/hot and all a bit pink - sounds like thrush but no swabs come back positive or for bacterial infection...and contact dermatitis is the diagnosis(prob a latex allergy)...and steroid cream seems to be alleviating it a bit...but I not that vigilent about putting on as I hate steroid cream...plus got to remember to wash off before put H on etc etc...
Hellllllllooooo to everyone else :)
Going to see LC today do a test feed to see how much he getting now on the boob, and to reassess my bfeeding plan...I am beginning to think it will be a combo of EBM and breast forever...ho hum...
Okay Tillie mustve finished her porridge (she eats 2 bowls! - so skinny not sure where it goes!)as she is yelling 'mam!'
Speak to you all soon :)
Sparrowgal
07-04-2008, 10:01
Hi girls, been a bit lazy to post lately, I just became an aunty so been busy with Erika's new cousin.
Gizmokel and Jaidevsmum - hoping your babies have a more quiet day today! Or at least get some sleep. And Giz I'm glad to hear you and Alyssa are ok! You're not a bad parent, accidents do happen (which is what I tell myself when i do doof things with Erika - I made her bleed when i was walking with her in the dark looking for the lightswitch and bumped her into a doorhandle :(, Alyssa didn't even hit the ground, you protected her!). And Jaidevsmum I am from sydney but i didn't see the thread, sorry about that!
Bump - good to hear from you and sounds like everything is going great with you and Mary! I'm glad you had a good caesarean experience, I am only whinging about the post-op part of it... off to see my obstetrician tomorrow and show him how ugly my scar looks now after all those infections :(
Laus - That's great on the weight and Kauri being a bit better, I hope she continues to improve! Geez, 4.4kg already, I'll be lucky if Erika's pushing 4kg... but she was a runt, she has some catching up to do!
Tillie&Bug - you know, I do EBM and boob all the time not because I am having problems bf but just so she gets used to the bottle coz I'll have to wean her when I go back to full time work (I don't think I can run off to express every 4 hours).
Speaking of feeding and stuff, Erika is eating strangely at night the last 2 days. She usually takes both boobs but now she won't even finish one, before she nods off. I am wondering if this is the start of no night feeds, but so far she doesn't seem to be distressed by it, but man my boobs are rock hard by morning, so I've got tons of expressed milk at the moment. About freezing EBM do I HAVE to use those special bags or can I use other things? Wondering if I can just use ziplock glad bags or something, though dunno how clean they are (though really how sterile can expressed milk be when I have put the thing on my skin which isn't sterilised with steam or anything) coz those breast feeding bags are expensive!
Erika is quite interactive now and "talks" a lot, it's so cute I recorded it (I'm such a a first time mum :laughing:). She seems to be awake for AGES now, and will not go down in the afternoon for naps which makes her really grouchy and cry lots if she's been up that long (esp by the time it's 8pm). I can't put her on play mats coz she hates lying on her back, and cries. So she lives all day in the bouncer, I wonder if this is bad for her. So I guess she's awake for like 8-10 hours or so? It seems like a lot to me I wonder what everyone else's bub is doing.
OK off to post in Jaidevsmum sydney thing if i can find it...
Hi everyone! We've been having internet troubles, blinking Dodo :geek:. But we're back!
Well, we got a loungesuite! It is so so so so comfy! Really easy to feed on and the pattern is really sweet.
We're having no trouble with wind now. I've started drinking cow's milk again so I think it's just the yeast. Oh and chocolate doesn't affect him! :smiliedance:
MrsO - sorry to hear about your UTI, I hope you're feeling better now :hugs:
Mahna Mahna - Thanks, lol. My mother helped a lot, which she often does. I don't think I could have coped without her.
Here are some photo's from the party (finally)
Lexi's cakes (http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/bubhubmum21/?action=view¤t=P1050384.jpg)
Dylan (http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/bubhubmum21/?action=view¤t=P1050376.jpg)
Birthday girl and Nanny (http://s112.photobucket.com/albums/n191/bubhubmum21/?action=view¤t=P1050392.jpg)
I didn't get that many good ones, luckily Nanny and Poppy did on their camera.
Well, Dylan's calling. I'll finish the rest of this post later.
Hi Girls,
We have had computer probs last week, so I was able to read but not post:geek:.
I won't do personals today, I have a small window before Tess is due to wake.
We took her to the childrens on Friday about her lip and all went well. Met the surgeon & he was lovely, had a hearing test which was fine and they took lots of photos for the op. BUt a very hard day emotionally, I thought I was fine with this whole cleft lip thing, which I am but I just turned into a bit of a emotional wreck since Friday. I know this is cosmetic & Tess will be fine, but I just wish she didn't have the cleft for her sake, all day at the hospy we saw heaps of kids with clefts & I just wish she didn't have to have a scar as small as it will be. Sorry just need to vent about this, I am always being so up about it when around friends & family, try to play it down etc, for some reason I feel like I am not allowed to be upset by it all & should just soldier on, but I can't help it if I wish she didn't have to have a operation..
Anyway on top of that Tess has pretty much screamed since last wednesday, not sleeping during day etc, so finally last night after another day of screaming I had a gut feeling something was wrong and took her to docs & she has silent reflux, poor little bubba. So they have given us Zantac she had it last night & this morning & she has slept through last night had morning feed went back to docs and has been asleep ever since. So looks like it is working, thank God. :smiliedance:
On the positive side, we went and looked at a spot for our weeding yesterday and both loved it so we are booking it in...woohoo...so excited, our wedding will end up being on our 10th aniversarry, just by coincidence, but worked out well. So now a wedding to plan, should keep me out of trouble :valentine:
Sorry for my rambles & I hope you are all doing really well & enjoying these little gifts we have.
Take Care !
Sparrowgal
08-04-2008, 16:12
Hi girls, gonna see how well I type with Erika sitting on my lap wriggling liek a worm
Dingo: I'm glad op went well, I bet i'd be emotional too with an operation for erika. and yay for wedding plans, something to look forward to! Wow seems like lots of babies have bad problems with reflux, I'm glad u figured yours out.
Alicia: So how is bf on the new lounge? And yummy looking birthday cake! Your little ones look adorable :yelclap:
Saw ob today, everything is good. Took my sister in law shopping for nursing clothes, and now she's happy. Poor thing, my MIL driving her nuts. Keeps telling her she hasn't got enough milk and she must supp with bottle. SIL doesn't want to do that but everyone is hammering her about it even my DH. I admire her resistance, lucky for me I live in my own house, not with my MIL. And her bub is fine if you ask me. I told DH not to interfere and it's a stressful time 4 a new mum, hope he settles a bit.
Ah, at last, 5 minutes to myself.
Jaidevsmum- do not blame yourself for Taj’s cold. It can’t be your fault; coz if it is your fault then it must be my fault Mackenzie has one! Number one rule of parenthood is all the bad things are dad’s fault! But truthfully it is usually the siblings, every time Fletch went to kiss Mackenzie he seemed to have a snotty nose and I’d struggle to get to it before he made contact. Mackenzie’s lasted a few days and I heard her snuffling all night and through every feed with it too. And unfortunately I am in Melbourne, well not unfortunately, I love Melbourne but you know what I mean.
Gizmokel- you poor thing, that fall would have scared the living begeebies out of me too. Thank goodness Alyssa is ok. Just goes to show how hard those babies are shaken by the monsters of the world. Sounds like you were lucky not to break your arm or something else in the fall. Imagine looking after a new baby with a broken limb.
Bump- I too have had pain breast feeding this time round and am going to see a lactation specialist at the hospital next week. Mackenzie has had thrush in her mouth which probably spread to my boob (it happened with one of the boys too but don’t remember which one and don’t remember it hurting this much) Mackenzie feeds beautifully for 2 or 3 feeds then I get a couple of shockers that are excruciating. Hoping the specialist will shed some light on it.
Sparrowgal- you can use snap lock bags, I was told that with Fletcher by a health nurse, much cheaper than the special ones you can buy. They are sterile inside apparently. Coincidently, my cousin had a preemie (8 weeks early) late last year and the nurses at the Royal Women’s told her even with premise, as long as bottles etc are washed thoroughly they don’t need sterilizing every time they are used. Good to know when you’re not near a kettle/microwave/stove etc.
Dingo- it is ok to be upset that your baby didn’t come out the ‘perfect’ way you think they should, even when it is only cosmetic. We have these huge expectations don’t we? Vent all you like sweety. Gosh, I was really upset that Mackenzie has a huge stork beak mark over her eye and lots of little ones on her face even though they will fade in the next 12 months or so. The thing is, we think they are beautiful but you just want everyone else to see them as being as beautiful we do, I think. Fletch had a cephalhaematoma which is a huge lump on his head from ramming my pelvis during birth. (yes, I felt every ram!) It is meant to go away in a few months but his calcified and is only now invisible thanks to lots of hair and his head growing. But boy, did I feel like people stared at that lump. And those that didn’t stare came straight out and said ‘what’s that lump on his head?’
Mackenzie had her 4 week health centre visit on Monday when she was actually 5 weeks old and has broken yet another record amongst my children for being the biggest porker! She is now 5.3 kg or 11lb 11oz! 54.5cm and her head is 39cm. Whoa! She had gained 285gm a week on average in the last 3 weeks with a bout of oral thrush which made her struggle to feed. My eldest, Lockie, was a runt at 5lb 10oz and is now the same height as me and filling out nicely for a boy of almost 12. My little princess has also been kind enough to sleep 8 hours a night for the last 3 out of 5 nights, yay! So I am happy which means the rest of the house is happy.
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
10-04-2008, 08:12
Thanks for all the kind comments about Taj's cold. Things have not been so great here and It's really starting to get to me. He screams on and off through most feeds and has gone back to not sleeping during the day. Hard not to take it personally when you're trying to feed your bub and he pulls off screaming at you like you're torturing him.
I've been having nightmares lately too and I wake in tears - night before last there was this mob and I couldnt find DS1, then last night we were in the water (very strange dream - DH wanted us to hitch a ride home with a whale) and I was swimming on my back so I could hold DS1 and DS2 with their heads above the water and I lost sight of my DH (who is not a strong swimmer) but I couldnt look for him or save him because I had the boys. I got them to the shore and went diving looking for DH but couldnt find him and I thought he was dead when I woke up.
Gizmokel - your fall must have been scary - I feel when I was pregnant with Taj and had Jai in my arms. Sounds like it's happened to a lot of us so dont feel badly.
Dingo that must have been an emotional day at the hospital for you. YOur success with the medication for reflux has inspired me to seek help with Taj.
Sorry, would do more personals but Taj is screaming again
Mel
Hi All :wave:,
I feel like I barely have time to scratch myself let alone get onto BH so haven't been around much! A quick read through just now has made me feel much better and that I'm definately not alone!!
Like lots of you we've been having sleep and colic/reflux issues with Eve barely sleeping at all during the day and getting very overtired and cranky! I spend most of the day with her strapped to me in the sling which helps her settle but makes it difficult to get much done!
I've started taking her to have some Bowen Therapy which does seem to be helping though.
Hope life gets a little easier for us all sometime soon!
Gizmokel- I fell down some stairs holding my DD1 when she was a baby! So scary! We were both ok, but it makes you feel pretty awful (and guilty) doesn't it?!!
Jaidev's Mum- Eve had a cold when she was 3 weeks old! Don't feel bad about it, it's impossible to prevent when you have a toddler in the house. Hope Taj settles for you a lot more soon.
x
Laus - I hope the teething trouble is settling down for you and you are getting a bit more sleep.
TillieAndBug - thanks for the dermatitis description. Does the burning feeling last for a while after a feed? Is the stabbing during feeding or between feeds? Sorry, hope you don't mind me asking.
Sparrowgal - I feel for all of you with babies that are having a lot of awake time. It must be so difficult to get anything done! I struggle as it is. On the positive side though I guess you get lots of interaction time with them :p;). Hope you are coping OK
dingo - Hey, it is totally OK to be upset and emotional. It is a huge thing that you are having to deal with and no one can be brave all of the time. Especially when you are faced with it so directly. You are amazing that you can be so brave with family and friends, but just remember, if you ever do need to have a meltdown and let go of all your worry and concern, we are all here for you. Let it out here and then you can go back to being that brave soul for everyone else! :hugs:
ofiona - Please let me know how you go with the lactation specialist. It sounds a bit similar to me.:hugs: Some feeds OK and some not. I have worked out that Mary wasn't opening her mouth wide enough and was tucking her lips in a bit and since I have been concentrating on that a bit more things have improved. My left side is still a bit of a problem, but not as bad as it was. Right side is now only painful to attach. That is great news that Mackenzie is sleeping for 8 hours!!! And I thought I had it good only waking once at night!!!
JaidevsMum - I had some really horrible nighmares during the first few weeks I was home. Kept thinking I had lost her or she was hurt. Awful! I feel for you. I put it down to being a bit subconsciously stressed and it has stopped now that I have relaxed more. Hope yours do to.
Had my ob checkup and all was fine. Spent more time talking about good websites to buy cycling nicks than my health, which was a crack up!!! Mary is now 4kg and 56cm. She isn't putting on heaps of weight, but enough not to worry.
I know there was talk about green nappy contents earlier in the post, but has anyone worked out what it means (is it sugar?) and has anyone been able to fix it? Help please!
mythreelittlemonkeys
12-04-2008, 10:55
Bump - In my experience with DD...green poos meant too much foremilk, not enough hind milk and this was what the child health nurse said too...she also got this when I ate prawns...go figure!?!...she is now 22 months and still hasnt had a solid poo! but eats heaps of fruit and veg ...
I am not sure how much sugar in your diet makes it happen cos I have heaps at mo (naughty girl) and Holden has had like one green poo in 8 weeks...
To answer your dermatitis question - mainly inbetween feeds it is stabbing but little bit during too, and burns for a while after feed...attachment when he is actually on there is good...I had to stop using nipple shields cos they were deffo aggravating the dermatitis...
Sorry no other personals...GST is looming and Holden not very settled so I cant be on here long ;)
Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Sparrowgal
13-04-2008, 17:57
Gosh our thread has been a bit quiet lately!
Ofiona: Thanks I'll try those snap lock bags... wish I'd known that before I bought some baby cubes! Though if worst comes to worst I can use the baby cubes for my scrapbooking bits and pieces.
Jaidevsmum: That's a scary dream:(. I hope the nightmares clear up. But I wonder if it's a post partum thing? I have had weird dreams but not nightmares.
Greenie: I am having difficulty with my sling. I can sit my DD in it like a hip carry (though her head control is not good yet, she can sit and i can use my arm to steady her) but I can't seem to get her to lie down in it, she cries every time. I wonder if I'm doing it wrong.
Bump: Glad to hear your visit went ok. I didn't take my baby to the ob visit, but I do have a paed visit next week so she'll get her checkup.
This may sound stupid but I figured out why Erika was awake so much 2 weeks ago. I was drinking cola every day (social computer coke zero drinking - i know i know very bad, but it was on special at Woolies so I bought heaps). Ever since I stopped drinking it (lots less social computer game playing) she has slept well and had heaps less colic. I was afraid to tell DH because he'd ban me from drinking the stuff... but I told him and he said "no more drinking that stuff!" Sigh. I don't know what other low calorie sweet drink I can drink.
Erika has finally got a morning routine. She gets fed at 8am, and gets play gym time from 8.45 till about 9-9.15 depending on how interested she is in stuff. At 9.30 she has a nap (wrap, dummy and bouncer - off she goes to sleep) and is usually up at about 11.30 grizzling until her midday feed. This makes me happy coz now I can do lots of chores in the morning! The house is finally looking clean again. And my goodness has she put on weight. Though i haven't measured her naked, with clothes and nappy on she's 4.7kg - which means she's put on 2kg since birth (and she'll be 8 weeks old this Thursday). I wish she'd stay small and cute forever :)
Gosh 8 weeks already, soon I'd better take her for her vaccinations...
Hey Sparrowgal- I was given a sling and am loving it. I have had 2 different kinds of baby carriers over the years and the sling is the best for a new born so far. I have found grocery shopping much easier with Mack in the sling and Fletch walking along side me. It has taken me several go's to get Mackenzie in right but now I think I have it figured. I found some instructions on the net one night (but do you think I could find them again now to send them to you?) I'll try to write it so it makes sense for you. They suggested you put the sling over you less dominant shoulder so for me that is my left. Then I place the seem just to the right of my right boob so it runs in between my right boob and my right hip I guess. Then I lift Mackenzie up onto my right shoulder like when I am gonna burp her, only a little higher. I tuck her feet into the opening and while I am starting to slide her down into the sling, I use my right arm to sweep her feet towards the right hip area. THen I lean slightly forward, this gives her a bit more room to get comfy. Most of the time she is more comfy with her arms flat to my chest like she would be if I were laid on my back with her on my chest if that makes sense. If I tuck her right arm between my chest and hers she faces out more and can see when she is awake. I looked up what my sling was worth dollar wise (it is a Mumasupial) and dearly died when I saw it was $80. I made a nice black one to go with an outfit I wore to a wedding last week for $10 and had enough fabric for 2! They are ridiculously easy to make, there is only one seem for heavens sake! So now I keep one in the car and one in the house. Their website has instructions you can download (not as good as the pictures I found the other day) http://www.mumasupial.com.au
Anyway, I hope this hasn't confused you too much.
Sparrowgal
14-04-2008, 09:30
Thanks Ofiona, I looked up that website but it's more for pouches (though I think you still put baby in the same way). Your instructions were good though (but boy did I look like a fool, holding the baby with the sling and staring at the screen while trying to deposit her into the sling). She still cried when lying down. I think she just doesn't like lying down. She's fine when she's upright though.
I wish she'd get used to lying down so I could practice boobfeeding her in the sling!
Hi everyone just checking in!
Been a bit busy of late (haven't we all though)
Layla's doing really well, she's gained 1kg and 8cm since birth, shes a real little chubber now at 5 weeks. BF going really well. though I had a painful nipple last week, not sure why, but I expressed a few feeds off that side. I was pleased that Layla took to the bottle no problems.
I bought a length of cheesecloth for a sling last week but I have no idea what to do with it! I've tried a few times but feel so insecure that she isnt just going to drop out the bottom! Layla doesnt seem to like it much either.
Poor bub slept through 6 hrs last night. when I got up she was saturated up to the armpits poor girl! I'm going to have to change her at midnight no matter if shes asleep or not...tho I hate to wake her at night, she takes ages to settle again. Its too quiet I think. shes happy to sleep through the loudest noise during the day.
Sparrowgal
14-04-2008, 14:50
Argh having a poo day! Been pooped on twice today!
Silly me should not have put that new nappy on, I knew it was too big! And little miss kicked poo everywhere as well when at change table... sigh
And I had just put on her prettiest top today... typical
Well my new nappy has been christened with a poo i guess....
Friday night Mackenzie had the 'mother of all poo's' while I was alone with 3 kids Lockie's hockey match. It went al the way up to her armpits. Today I took her to have moulds made of her hands and feet for a wall plaque to match the ones we had made for the boys and while she was getting the moulds put on her feet she did this enormous poo and the poor lady nearly fell over.
Where does it all come from?
Sparrowgal
14-04-2008, 16:03
LOL Ofiona - ARMPITS? that's a lot of poo!
Ofiona i should have done it professionally, is it expensive? Yesterday DH and I thought we'd use the moulding kit that somebody gave us as a baby gift but it didn't go so well... one mould had a hole in it and then when i put the plaster in i missed air bubbles in the toes so the cast has no little toes, only a big toe! And then the second cast I must have cracked the mould because it is wonky shaped but at least it has toes! And of course little miss kicked the moulding solution everywhere (but thank goodness no poo that time)
She is just pooping non stop today. I worry when it becomes once a day because it will be the mother of all poos if all that poo came out in one go!
Nex: I have sling dyslexia. I may have to just use it for hip carrying around the house and use my mei tai for going out. I hope you're doing better than me! Though sometimes I think if your'e nervous, then bubs gets nervous too.
mythreelittlemonkeys
14-04-2008, 17:24
Sparrowgal - Sometimes I get the sling just right and others I have sling dyslexia too, and the more bothered I get the less it goes right...Holden likes it though...but I cant breast feed in it...not quite sure how I would even?!?
Ofiona - that sounds like a lot of poo going on there...I had one on me on Saturday...really yucky but not up to armpits...
Nex - wow 6 hours I am jealous...last night H didnt seem to sleep at all...in fact in the end at 3 I just put him on me and let him root around my boobs for 4 hours as he wouldnt settle at all...but didnt want bottle either...men! so indecisive!
Gotta go make supper for the monster...DH flew out today leaving house looking like bomb site...aaaaaaaaaaargh!
T&B- My husband makes the place looking like a bomb site by just leaving the room so you can imagine how I feel when he goes away, and he use to work in tourism, oh that was a fun period in our relationship!
Sparrowgal- I have to admit, the casting is a bit expensive. The frame and layout I chose which also has her photo in it is $190 but my parents gave us a voucher as a gift. Otherwise I couldn't justify the expense. They use the same stuff dentists use to make moulds of your teeth and it sets in about 30 seconds then they fill the moulds with some special stone which is stronger than plaster. The results are fantastic. I am gonna do the hand print one myself. I have done them on bath tiles, glued felt to the back so they don't scratch your bench when you put hot dishes on them and given them as gifts to the grandparents, kinda like the modern day ashtray!
As much as Mackenzie and I love our sling, we have sling dyslexia on occasions too. And I have no idea how you breast feed in them, I'd like to think that my breasts are just too firm to manipulate them into position but it just isn't true! (when are they gonna invent a no risk, no scalpel, no pain, no side effect, no cost boob lift?) I am rather scared about what I might fine in Mack's nappy tomorrow, she didn't have a poo all day and you know what that means.... SUPER SIZED POO!
mythreelittlemonkeys
16-04-2008, 00:15
anyone know if you can take immodium and bf? Thinking prob not as says dont give to children under 12...seems to be never ending sick bugs in this house...I am now sick again...think DD picks things up at daycare/mothers group and doesnt get them herself but passes to me :(
Plus always seems to erupt just after DH leaves...
Apart from that...all good! hearing u OF on the pain free scalpel free etc Boob job ;) I tried the whole BF in the sling thing again today and sorry but my boobs and baby just cant work it out :laughing: Good news btw with the bf - every other feed is a bf now, he is less settled after and does tend to hop on and off but doesnt at least refuse it all the time and is trying harder to suck:) spose practice is making perfect :)
Okay better go get some sleep whilst they both are...
HI TO ALL!!!
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
16-04-2008, 15:40
Hi all! I havent been around in a while or even been able to read up on the latest posts as we've had a lot more problems with Taj's reflux, plus had Jai's (DS1) 2nd birthday party to organise.
Taj has been feeding very badly - pulling. off and screaming etc so didnt gain weight for 3-4 weeks, also not sleeping much day or night now and all this starting to effect my supply. Been to several doctors and have just started losec today so hoping to get some sleep for both me and him in a few days to a week, fingers crossed. Also have to see a paediatician to monitor his progress. We are not failure to thrive yet but GP has said he is slow to thive and needs to be checked regularly. My community health nurse is excellent and has given me lots of advice. I feel for Jai in all this as he is not getting much time with me at all. My husbands sister and her husband and kids have been with us which has been a help because Jai has been happy to stay home with them and play while I've been to numerous doctors appointments. Much better because with all the stress and no sleep I tend to get a bit emotional at these and Jai gets upset when he sees me upset.
Will come back to update when things calm down a bit and hopefully read more about how you have all been going.
Mel
Dingo, of course you're allowed to be upset by it. You're only worried about her welfare after all. Glad to hear she's doing better on Zantac.
Congratulations on your wedding! How lovely to get married on your 10th anniversary :valentine:
Sparrowgal: The new lounge is fantastic! I just love it. Dylan's feeding a little more often now, so I'm enjoying my time on the couch lol.
Are there any cordials you can have? At least that way you're getting lots of water too.
Your poor SIL! Good on you for helping her, it really is hard when everyone's on at you. She needs to have confidence in herself, she can do it
Oh Mel, what an awful dream :hugs:. I hate it when you wake up thinking it's real. I had a dream the DH was cheating on me with his ex. Who was actually a complete psycho and stalked both of us IRL. LOL So it wasn't about to happen, but it still feels real.
We're having a bit of sling rejection at the moment. My Mei Tai got lost in the mail (:geek: @ Australia Post), so I'm saving for a new one. Dylan doesn't like lying down anymore and I need one for my afternoon walks! Which has amounted to a total of one so far :o
Dylan's coming along well. He's putting on lots of weight, I'm very happy with it. I have total confidence in my breastmilk this time around :D
He only really likes to go to sleep (and stay asleep) in his swing that Nanny got him. But his darling big sister has broken it. She gets in it while I'm feeding Dylan and swings herself. So now it doesn't swing itself, I have to do it manually. :thumbsdown:
Well, I better be off, he's grizzling and I'm hungry!
I hope everyone's well.
What nappies are you using Nex? At the moment we're using huggies overnight. I'm about to switch to cloth since he's stopped pooing at night.
Sparrowgal, what nappy was it? I made the mistake of putting Dylan in his new BerryPlush before a feed, it was christened in no time lol
How do you find your Meh Tei with bub at this age? I really want one. I have a pattern for it, but I may just buy one instead.
Ofiona, that wouldn't have been much fun! Speaking of poos, I think my angel may have made a nice little mess for me to clean up. Either that or he's taking after his father in the farting department.
Jaidevsmum, I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope things look up soon. Poor little darlin :hugs::hugs::hugs: Jai sounds like a sensitive little soul :)
Oh dear, we have poo everywhere and all through the swing. Time to go!
Sparrowgal
16-04-2008, 18:55
Tillie&B - imodium does go in breastmilk so I'd not take it. But it depends how much of the runs you have and whether it impairs your ability to care for your bub, so if you are on the toilet every 10 mins and can't look after bubs, then I'd take it then. Keep up your fluids and hope you feel better soon!
And if you work out how to BF in the sling tell me and teach me!
Alicia - oh that is awful your mei tai got lost in the mail! :hissy:After Mahna said she liked hers I got one from Ebay (a babyhawk one) and though it's sturdy and strong (though it's camo-pink, talk about BRIGHT) it was too hot to use a few weeks ago when it was super warm and sunny. A friend of mine made one and my mum took the pattern and copied it and made me one and it's lighter and it scrunches at the bottom so I can have a narrower crotch for bubs and I can't wait to get it so I can use it.
The nappy she pooped out of was a TwinkleLily AIO which was a bit big, so it was my bad. I'm a bit scared of AIOs and pockets because of poo leaking out, so I'm fitted and covers for going out and about - or disposables.
Ofiona - do you mean a hand print like an ink print? Are the normal stamping inks ok to use or are there special inks for babies? That sounds like a COOL idea, I'd love to do that for my inlaws.
Jaidevsmum - hugs to your little Jai, I'm glad family is there to help! Hugs and kisses to Taj too hope he picks up with the losec.
Well took my Jasling to the shops and put Erika in it, she seemed to go ok, but not lying down, sitting up. At least I'm using it again.
Erika is so much improved from a few weeks ago. She sleeps, she is interactive and she follows routines and I think I finally understand my child! DH is happy too. I thought I was happy before but I feel so much happier now :), Poo and all!
mythreelittlemonkeys
17-04-2008, 20:32
Just wanted to share something with you all...
Holden has not had a bottle in 48 hours...no I am not starving him...my little bug has at 9 weeks finally GOT IT!!!:smiliedance: We are feeding much more frequently and he isnt sleeping quite as well at night, but I am sure that will all settle down...I feel so happy I could open a bottle of champers...though of course that would be a total waste of time :D I am also looking at the bottlefeeding experience as a bonus...at least if I am ill, shattered or need a break when DH is home I know Holden will take EBM in a bottle...Tillie never would at all...so every cloud has a silver lining...:cloud9:
Thanks to you all for all your support, and fantastic advice...it has meant the world to me...having people to share it with and to chat with others struggling has made the difference in me not becoming totally depressed about the whole situation...:flowerz:
Off to have a celebratory hot chocolate :) and ring DH (not even told him yet!) with the good news!
That's fantastic news!! :hugs: I'm so very happy for you. :goodvibes: You must be so proud of yourselves. :valentine:
I'm fitted and covers for going out and about - or disposables.
Oh me too for sure. When he does his daily poo I cringe if it's in a GK's. Because it always ends up on the couch and me!
WOO HOO!!!!!:yelclap: Fantastic news TillieAndBug, amazing job. Never known anyone to persevere that long.
My news is that Mackenzie has finally taken a dummy.:smiliedance: 6 weeks of trying and having her use me as one finally paid off last night. I was finishing a clients hair and the client wanted a cuddle ( have known her for 10 years) and she said to give her the dummy to try so I did and she managed to get her to take it. No special tricks but she is now known as Auntie Robyn!:hugs: Then Mackenzie took it first try this morning when she got a little tired.
Off to search the house for my DH's mobile. He is absolutely hopeless. :banghead:I got him a t-shirt once with a headless stick figure man that said 'I keep losing stuff' Last week it was his keys remember? God knows how he manages to get by 12 hours a day without me!!! Tomorrow is his birthday and he will most likely forget that too.
Sparrowgal
17-04-2008, 23:15
Tillie&B that's great about the breastfeeding! YAY to Holden!!! :yelclap:
And Ofiona I'm happy if you're happy about Mac's dummy. Personally I like dummies but not everybody does. :yelclap: And that is really funny about your DH. I remember you searching the house for his keys - I assume you found them :P
Alicia - out of curiosity what are you fave nappies?
It was our wedding anniversary and DH took me to one of our favourite restaurants for dinner, it was so nice to be just the two of us (though of course I love Erika dearly!). 3 courses with a sumptuous dessert YUM! :chef: Can't believe it's 4 years already.
Sounds like you had a lovely night :D Happy anniversary. Our 3rd is coming up. :D
As a workhorse, Greenkids. They're easy to use and fit both kids. Other than that I love my BerryPlushes. A medium will fit both DD and DS. I have 8 in total with some more on their way :D
Oh and as a fitted Itti Bitti Boo. Just love them.
What's yours?
T&B - Congrats! You have done so well to persevere, you should be very proud of yourself! And Holden too :)
Sparrowgirl - thats great that Erika has settled down! LOL about the pooing everywhere. Kauri seems to only do one massive one at the end of the day. Oh and congrats on the wedding anniversary, that dinner sounds great. Ours is on 5th June, and we are going to have our first child free night that night, and as much as i am looking fwd to it, i am nervous about leaving Kauri, not that my mum wont look after her properly, it will feed weird to not have her with me.
Jaidevsmum - I really hope the losec kicks in for you soon. Kauri has been on losec since she was around 4 weeks and she is now 7 weeks, and alot better. It did take the whole 10-14days to kick in properly though. Is he on the suspension or tablets disolved in water? Kauri was on the suspension, but i found once i got the tablets and disolved them in water, it worked more effectively, and this was the same with my DS when he was little. :fingerscrossed: for some relief soon. Reflux is definitely not an easy road, just remember they do grow out of it.....eventually :) My DS was on meds til 14months - he had it severe, but is now 2 and fine, only the odd things he cant eat alot of, like acidy things, and sometimes he refluxs.
Alicia - bummer about having to rock the swing manually. I have a vibrating rocker and it is my saviour when i need my arms free :) Matter of fact she is in it now.
ofiona - woo hoo about the dummy. I personally am a dummy user, as with my two having reflux, the sucking can actually give a little relief. But it did take me until about a week ago to get Kauri to take it properly, and now she has it, its good. But she still prefers to have it to fall asleep, then spits it out.
Update on us. Well unfortunately, we have had to go down the road of full formula feeding. I have just weaned her this week, as it seems my breastmilk was making her worse and worse, and the not throwing it up was very shortlived, and giving her the thickener in a syringe was not as affective as the thickened formula. She was also very very fussy on breastmilk, so something in my diet was making her reflux worse. I know this might sound selfish, but please dont judge me, I just dont have the time or patience to do a complete elimination diet - although the weight loss would of been nice ;). So I have decided to just give her the formula, and the 3 days so far that she has been exclusively FF, she has been an angel, and it has allowed the losec to work more effectively. So i figure, happy baby, happy mummy, happy mummy, happy household. I think that is more important than beating myself up about not BFing, although I wanted to do it so bad this time.
She is gaining well now, getting her weighed today, but i know she has gained by looking and feeling her. She has a last bottle anywhere from 7.30-9.30pm, and will wake anywhere from 4.30-6.00am for the next feed. Still not sleeping all that much in the day, but everyday is getting better. She seems to wake so i pick her up and burp her and she always seems to do one, so i might look into the infants friends or infacol.
She is another one who is a definite bugle bum, she fluffs sooooooooooooo much lol. Better out than in i reakon.
Well thats all from me :) Hope you all have a great day!
Remember me...:o
I'm so sorry ladies, I have been absolutely shocking with posting in this thread the last couple of weeks. Things have been a bit hectic here, haven't had much time. Lorelei is sleeping so fingers crossed that will last long enough for me to get a proper post in.
Let me just start out by saying how happy I am for you T&B :hugs: I know how hard this has been for you and I am just so pleased that Holden finally 'got it'! Gives me a bit of hope that we might get there too.
Laus - Of course we wouldn't judge you hun!!! It doesn't sound like going down the thickening EBM road was working for Kauri, if she was still suffering then you have to move onto something else. The most important thing is you tried. I hope you find she is more settled and happier now, an unhappy baby isn't good for anyone.
Sparrowgal - That dinner sounds absolutely beautiful, you lucky thing! My attempts at organising something for just me and DH resulted in his suggestion that we go to a distant friends going away party :rolleyes: Hmmm...I was thinking of something a little more romantic...
Alicia - I feel you on the leaking poo front! We are currently in the transition between newborn and infant huggies (yes, we are evil disposable users) and we have poo going everywhere! What a shame about the sling, we just added a HAB to our collection and I absolutely love it, best yet!
Jaidevsmum - It sounds like you are having a really hard time of it at the moment, I'm so sorry to hear that. All those doctors appointments must be so time consuming, and like you say, just adds to the stress when you've got a toddler as well. I hope you start to see some improvement soon, as you know Losec can take a while to kick in, so just keep putting one foot in front of the other, I am sure you will see some imrpovement soon. You are doing a fantastic job under difficult conditions, remember that!
Mahna - You responded to me AGES ago and I never replied, I'm really sorry. Jas looks so gorgeous in your avatar, and what a big boy he is!!! My god, I got such a shock when you said he was 5.4kg, so funny to think that our bubs started out the same. You've got a real booby boy by the sounds of it. Don't stress about not being able to get on here much, being with your bub and feeding are your priority, we're all the same. I do hear a rumour that eventually we will have more time to spare...anyone want to confirm this tiny hope I have??? :laughing:
Nex - Hmmm, I'm not sure about the wrap, I would be useless at trying to make my own. I know you might not want to spend the cash but I have just bought a Hug a Bub and it is absolutely fantastic, I shall rave more about it when I update on us. Well done on the weight gain too, she sounds like she is stacking it on!
Ofiona - Sounds like you've got poo-mania going on there too! And yes, when they do create the pain free boob job I might be interested. Although my main concern with getting a boob job (which DH has kindly agreed to pay for when I'm finished with the kiddlets, along with a tummy tuck) is I just keep having visions of an 80yr old woman sitting in a nursing home with rock hard silicone boobs...oh dear oh dear. Might have to swap it for some liposuction instead.
Duchy and Elissas - How are my wise women going???
Alrighty, sorry if I missed anyone, must get a riggle on, it always takes me so long to post.
In the Lorelei household...
Well things are good and bad.
Good: Lori continues to sleep like a trooper, most nights she sleeps from about 11am to 5am and then again until about 9am. On the odd night she will sleep all the way through to 7am. I am very lucky on that front. I have recovered from my UTI and bub didn't seem to struggle with any tummy issues which is a bonus. Neither of us got thrush either which is fantastic, go the probiotics! We recieved our Hug a Bub sling last week and I absolutely love it particularly for typing on the computer, I am finally in the process of writing my birth story because I have two hands free! Definately recommend it! I've joined up with a mums and bubs exercise class which is great, of course at 7am I don't like it and kick myself for joining, but afterwards I feel fantastic. Lori had her 6 week check this week and is now 4.9kg, which is a 700g gain since birth. Isn't huge but it isn't a problem. And she's smiling now which is just the cutest thing ever :cloud9:
Bad: Well our general feeding issues continue. Two weeks ago I started having supply problems, I just wasn't pumping enough so I'm now on Motilium to boost my milk production. Seems to have really worked too which is fantastic, and I'm now weaning myself off. Have also been scoffing a million lactation cookies (not so good for the exercise program...hehehe) and oats for breakfast, and I've got fenugreek for when I finish the meds. Lori still doesn't feed off the breast, and sometimes it gets to me, I get a bit upset. Pumping is going ok and I'm happy to continue on, but I would love it if she took Holdens lead and just 'got it'. We've been to see more lactation consultants at KEMH and they have pretty much just confirmed what we have been doing, keep offering it to her and try and break the bad association she has with the breast. I think the LC was really quite shocked to see this little baby scream and kick and push away so violently, she really does hate it sometimes. The other day I put her on, and whilst she wasn't crying she had a really pained look on her face. When I took her off she just had a single tear running down her face, it was heartbreaking :( At that point, in a midst of tears, I vowed to stop trying to get her to breastfeed if it was going to be so terrible for her. But I'm glad I didn't because in the couple of days since then we have had some improvement. She is sucking for quite a few minutes and is doing so really well. She isn't happy but she isn't upset at all, and the second she gets a bit teary I take her straight off and we have cuddles and go back on, it seems to calm her down. Fortunately attachment seems to be perfect as I have quite cracked sore nipples from the pump and breastfeeding doesn't hurt at all. She's also getting quite a good suction, to the point where I actually had to put my finger in her mouth last night to get her off, for the first time since she was born...yay! Small victories. The challenge now is to see if she is actually getting any milk and then work our way up to a full feed, I would imagine at the moment she is only getting a few mls. Can I ask a question to the breastfeeding ladies, when bub comes off the breast can you see heaps of milk in their mouth? Obviously I'm used to milk going everywhere from the bottle, and when she sucks on the boob I don't see any, so it makes me thing she isn't getting much. Could be wrong though. So, the plan is just to continue this way, offering it to her when she is happy and calm, and hopefully we will get there.
Alrighty, will post this before the little one wakes, it's been nice catching up with you all, I'll try and be around a bit more frequently.
Bec
Just a quickie MrsO, I rarely see milk in my boofa's mouth when she pulls away, its only when she really isn't happy about being onther, like if she has to burp or i have mistaken tiredness for hunger.
Hi Ladies......I have been so slack, just had no time lately.....
Firstly - T&B Congrats, I really admire you for hanging in there this long, you must feel such satisfaction now.
Mrs O - I don't see milk in Tess's mouth when b/f. She is a little pigletto but I have never seen milk leak from her mouth or in her mouth when she comes off the boob.
Jaidevsmum - You poor love, sounds like you are having a hell of a time. I hope things improve for you soon :hugs:
Sounds like everyone is doing really well, I cannot believe how quick our bubbas are growing, Tess is nearly 3 months, it spins me out.
Life here is good, different every day. Tess is still feeding like a pro, whcih she is now I guess. She has 5 feeds each day, goes down at arpund 7.30pm - 2.30am then up around 8am. Some days (like today) she will not sleep at all during the day. She will get tired and fall asleep on me, then I put her down sounds asleep and 15 mins later she is crying, I try to settle her but end up with her up again and that cycle goes on all day.By 5pm she is so exhausted she is screaming until she is fed then crashes.:sleeping:
Other days she will have 2 really good 2-3 hour sleeps during the day. I have given up trying to figure her out, I just start each day fresh and don' t make any plans for now. Some days I think it is connected to the silent reflux & other days I think she just wants to be up, not wanting to miss out on anything.
Anyone else having sleep settling issues during the day ? I have started mothers group and that is the topic next week so hopefully I will get some helpful tips.
On the positive, she is smiling a lot which melts me every time & last couple of days starting gooing & gaaing.....so cute.
That is all I have tme for now, I hope you all have a lovely weekend :sunshine:
Cheers Kell
Sparrowgal
19-04-2008, 07:56
Hi all, gosh awful night last night, Erika just would not sleep and cried for ages, not exactly sure what was wrong but DH ended up taking her downstairs and sleeping with her so I could get some rest (Friday is supposed to be our let's all sleep together night - sounds weird but during the week I sleep with bubs in a diff room so hubby can get some sleep since he's working - and we do the opposite if I'm going to work). Don't know what it was, maybe she was overtired, she had been out and about twice that day, so her routines were all mucked up. I haven't had any coke or coffee I don't know why she just won't sleep.
I envy MrsO, Laus and Dingo for their great night sleeps!
MrsO: Great to hear from you! Gosh that is an epic length post, I ENVY your fantastic night sleeps! Your BF troubles sound stressful :hugs: I'm glad Lor is not crying as much as before. About milk in the mouth I don't see any after a boobfeed but on bottles she spills it everywhere too, so her mouth is usually full of milk. What does oats do for breastmilk? I didn't realise they did anything, and I eat oats every morning to help with constipation (TMI sorry)
Dingo: Another great night sleeper! Sigh, tell me your secret. Erika does not sleep in her basket during the day, I have to put her in her bouncer, she just doesn't like lying flat to sleep during the day, she seems ok with it at night though which is strange.
Laus: I jinxed myself I think after my last night's drama. I have to admit I leave Erika with my MIL a lot because she LOVES having her, and they're going back overseas soon so they want to squeeze in as much time as they can I think. I don't think being weaned is selfish at all, you're doing what's best and as you said happy mummy = happy family and baby. How many years will you have been married in June?
Alicia: I have a huge variety in my stash, but I really love my Cute tooshies and Baby beehinds. And the Bubblebubs are great too.
Well I'd better get ready to go out.. have a good weekend all!
mythreelittlemonkeys
19-04-2008, 08:43
SparrowGal Holden and Erika must have been in sync...he just didnt settle last night at all...infact longest sleep was 1.5 hours...ended up in bed with me this morning and now he up again...I am shattered...which of course my little girl doesnt understand...so she climbed into the pantry and peeled open all the bananas and poured out the spaghetti cos I didnt get up at 5.50 when she wanted me to!
I think and hope H is down to having his jabs and rotavirus yesterday and that we will be back to norm tonight...he felt hot all night but didnt have a temperature...and was in a grobag with the right amount of clothes...
Okay gotta go he is exercising his lungs once more i just want to be in bed:sleeping:
Sparrowgal
19-04-2008, 13:51
Hey Tillie&Bug, what age can they go into their grobag? When did you put Holden in his? I didn't think Erika could go in hers yet (haven't tried though) but since Holden is one week older than her maybe I can give it a go.
Oh my, Tillie sounds like she's a sneaky one! You know, I bet it wasn't funny at the time, but when you read it now, it's actually funny :laughing:
mythreelittlemonkeys
19-04-2008, 16:54
since about 4 weeks - now they have the poppers on the arms they pretty alright from birth...when T was baby hers said from 10lbs so I waited till then...he is as snug as a little bug could be...but then we are a major grobag house...Tillie never not slept in one since about 7 weeks old...but only night sleeps...will be weird at age 3 when we take her out of it...if she doesnt wean herself before then! She can run and climb in it too...the bananas were done in it...and she had to climb the pantry shelves!
H still a bit unsettled so i think it was the rotavirus stuff they said it may hurt his tummy abit.
:wave:
GizmoKel
19-04-2008, 19:22
Hi everyone,
Sorry its been ages since I wrote but I've been reading posts...just had no time to reply.
Sorry to those of you having sleeping problems and yay to those who don't :)
Alyssa still thinks sleep consists of 15 mins a few times a day and will just not resettle.
I'm always feeling guilty when she won't sleep as shes not happy but very grumpy cos shes tired. Then I either have to have her sitting there why I have a little play with Kyla or vice versa and I always feel guilty for one of them.
Alyssa is also on infant gaviscon for silent reflux and we go back to the dr on Monday to hopefully get some medicine she can take all the time for it.
Last nbight must've been the night for terrible sleeps as she was awake until about 3am after having a huge screaming session from 6-10pm where nothing could settle her.
I've taking St Johns Wort for depressions etc and I must say it does help so anyone who is finding it hard to cope etc should try it.
Congrats TillieandBug for Holden feeding! Thats fantastic news. I admire you for keeping it up and trying for so long.
Does anyone know if their injections can be done at 8 weeks or do they have to be 2 months? Alyssa is 8 weeks on Mon but not 2 months until Friday and I just want to make sure she can get them done on Mon when we go to the dr?
Sorry to not reply to everyone but Alyssa is awake again now.
Shes in her cot in our room for the first time so hopefully she has a good night.
Take care :flowerz:
T&B - I have just started Tess in a grobag at night. She seems much more comfortable than wrapping and blankets. You said Tillie has been in hers always for night sleeps. What do/did you have her in for sleeps during the day ?
Tks Kelly :confused:
Gizmokel- Tess had her injections at 8 weeks, we didn't have to wait until 2 months. :)
chrissy m
19-04-2008, 19:26
hello all feb mummys sorry to jump in with you all so late but i was due on the 24 of march with twin boys but i had them on the 26 of feb so i would love to talk with you all.......
my boys are isaiah and thomas and i have a 6 year old girl and a 23m old son aswell so iam all ways on the run !!!!!
THOMAS AND ISAIAH
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg104/CHR04/marco058.jpg
ALL MY KIDS
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg104/CHR04/Picture030.jpg
WHEN THAY WERE 11 DAYS OLD
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg104/CHR04/GetAttachmentCAMV9L2T.jpg
ME -SOON TO BE 25
DH-30
DD-6
DS- SOON TO BE 2
TWINS- 7 1/2 WEEKS
mythreelittlemonkeys
20-04-2008, 02:49
Hi ChrissyM and welcome :) Your twin boys are gorgeous! Love the pictures!
Dingo - she has always dayslept in whatever she is wearing...minus shoes :) When she was really little I wrapped her at day too...but I spose it just became a sign that it was a day sleep not a big sleep...also laziness by me not wanting to get her undressed for day sleeps :)
GK - my immunisation clinic wouldnt do before 8 weeks...(it is done on weeks not months apparently)...which was a pain as DH was home then...in the end I went to GP's at just over 9 weeks. Learnt also that rotavirus 2nd one can only be given up to 24 weeks, as we will be a bit late for his 4 mth jabs as will be overseas.
Has anyone found they fall asleep sometimes feeding bub in night and wake up cosleeping all snuggled up...this has happened last couple of nights, which is why I think being finding hard to resettle him into his bed (room colder no body warmth from me). I am jsut so tired, I spose I should get up and feed him in cold lounge so no risk of falling asleep...it is horrid cos it feels so natural yet you so scared cos of all the SIDS stuff...DD was in our room for lot longer so i used to just sleep with her cot side down sidecar onto our bed which meant I didnt have to get up to settle her, feed her but DH decided he didnt want to have to build and dismantle cot to rebuild this time (dont blame him is a huge job) and Holden kinda grew out of his bassinette very quickly as he was rolling over.
Okay talking of sleep - I should be getting some!
speak to you all soon!
Isn't it funny how obsessed we all become over the bowel movements of a little person!!! :laughing: It becomes a very important topic of conversation!
First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS :yelclap: TillieAndBug for your success with breastfeeding. That is such great news! You must be very proud of your little Holden. And yourself for sticking with it. Thanks too for the reply re: dermatitis and green poos (yep, there we go again with the poo thing! he he). I think I'll talk to my health nurse on Tuesday about the dermatitis thing. Sounds similar to what I am experiencing.
At the same time...Laus, don't feel bad about going to full-time formula. You gave it a shot and it obviously wasn't working, so you have done the right thing for Kauri's health and weight gain, not to mention her happiness (I know I am much happier without reflux!!!), your happiness and sanity and the happiness of the household at large. I am sure no one on this thread would ever judge you on the decision you have made. We do whats best for our particular little one. Good on you for trying and going to the effort to try and sort it out. You did all you could. And she will probably grow up to be a healthier and happier baby as a result.
Sparrowgal - It is so nice to find a routine isn't it and to have that time during the day to get stuff done. Hope you have rcovered from your rough night the other night. Happy anniversary!
Nex - Yay for Layla sleeping 6 hours!
JaidevsMum - I sincerely hope things improve for you and Taj soon. You poor thing. Sounds like it is rough on all of you. Thinking of you :hugs:.
Alicia - Bummer about the swing being broken! Mary likes hers sometimes, but not always. Have friends who have found them a godsend though, so understand totally your heartbreak at it not working at the moment! Hope you can get it fixed!
ofiona - Dummies are GREAT!!! So glad you have had success with yours. They make life so so easy in our household.
MrsO - I hope little Lori "gets the hang of it" for you soon too. Good on you for perservering. It sounds as if she is getting one step closer everyday.
dingo - Sorry to hear about your sleep settling problems during the day. Mary wakes up a few times during some day sleeps, but I can just stick the dummy back in and she goes straight back down, so no great drama. 10 second job. Are you using a dummy?
chrissy m - Welcome! :wave: Wow, you sound like you have your hands full. I am amazed that you can find the time or energy to get on the web at all, let alone chat on a thread. You must be supermum! Hope Isaiah and Thomas are going well.
And us...
Mary is the most amazing baby. She has been feeding only five, maximum 6 feeds a day, she has half an hour to an hours play time after each daytime feed, in which she is more than happy to kick around by herself if necessary and then with dummy in place and being tightly wrapped, she puts herself to sleep for a few hours. She has only been waking once at night for a feed (and I go to bed at about 8:30!), but the last two nights she has fed at around 10:00-10:30 and then not woken again until 5:30!!! Yippee! Although to be honest, I don't much like the 5:30 feed. Too early to stay awake afterwards, but if I go back to sleep I don't get out of bed until her next feed and waste half the day being lazy!!!
She goes straight down after her night feeds and stays that way, but sometimes her day sleeps are a little disturbed and I will need to put the dummy back in a couple of times. But that is not a great chore! She is putting on weight slowly, but enough not to worry. She certainly seems content and happy. The only time she cries is to tell me she is hungry or when she starts to get tired and then the boob or the dummy fixes everything. I feel totally totally blessed! I am sorry to those having a rough time. I am sure I'll get a monster next time to make up for it! I couldn't be this lucky twice.
The family went to our local picnic races last weekend. Lovely day, although different with a pram in tow. I will post a photo next time. We even made the paper!
First Mother's Group day after tomorrow. Can't wait!
Hope everyone is well and things are looking up for all.
Michelle and Mary
Sparrowgal
20-04-2008, 16:58
T&B: I put my grobag on Erika today, gonna see how it goes! She cried when I put it on, but now she's in the bouncer smiling and playing so far so good. Oh and my DH cosleeps with bubs all the time like that when he's trying to settle her, sometimes it freaks me out. One time I found him sleeping on the couch and the blanket was up to his neck and I couldn't see the baby - she was curled up in his arms, sleeping... I swear the SIDS police are gonna arrest my household...
Gizmokel: I'm glad the St Johns Wort is helping you - I find reading this forum helps me if I'm feeling blue or frustrated. Makes me feel less alone when it's just me and bubs in the house.
ChrissyM: Welcome and what gorgeous pics! Gosh you must be supermum with that brood (and twins!). You know when I think about how much milk in your boobs you need to BF twins I cringe - I'm uncomfortable enough with just one baby!
Bump: Hope your mother's group goes well! I haven't even gone to one, I thought I have enough friends with very young babies, and I get enough stares at the local shops with my cloth nappies and sling, I dunno if I want to go to mother's group and they think I'm a weirdo.. :confused:
I swear my DH has made me come to my MIL's house 6 out of 7 days this week. I just want to be at home getting Erika back to her routine after Friday's super outings which threw her all out of whack. But he's cooking dinner for them because my FIL had an operation on Friday, and MIL has been caring for him, so he's doing the good son thing - my DH is a great cook, which is one of the things I love about him (he does all the cooking in our house).
This rain is driving me nuts. Washed my bras yesterday and then leaked thru my breast pads overnight onto the bra I was wearing and I didn't have a change to wear (clothes still damp). Yuk for wet bras...
Oops I have to take Erika for her shots next week, I was too lazy to do it this week.
chrissy m
20-04-2008, 20:49
just want to say a big thankyou to everyone who has welcome me !!!! and iam happy all my kids are a sleep before 10.00pm thats good so off to do some house work and bed so i will be back later ok night
:wave:
me-soon to be 25
dh-30
dd-6:bee:
ds-soon to be 2 :devil6:
twins -8 weeks :baby::baby:
Alright, just a quick update (and a big hi to Chrissy m :wave: I concur that your kids are gorgeous!)
Well, for the first time ever Lorelei had a full breastfeed today :cloud9: She sucked for 23 mins (exactly :p) and did so really well. No screaming, no squealing, no hitting, just a calm happy hungry baby. I estimate by how much I was able to pump that she took about 80 mls! Of course she hasn't been able to repeat it, and we're back to 'this woman is trying to murder me' type distress when we go near the nipple, but hey, I know she can do it!!! Who knows what it was about this one feed, but I hope to recreate it ;) We've still got a long way to go, I think 48 hrs straight, as in T&B, and I will feel that we have success.
It felt so good, it might have taken me 7 weeks but I finally fed my baby!
mythreelittlemonkeys
21-04-2008, 01:17
:yelclap::smiliedance::hugs: MrsO
Hopefully Lori now starts to get it too...Holden still fusses quite a bit (porkchop and a half!) but most feeds I feel are good...he does feed alot more and not down for so long...but think that more to do with my oversupply of milk...think that down to the expressing for so long...it is still a bit painful sometimes too...but nothing I cant grin and bear!
So excited for you :fingerscrossed:
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
21-04-2008, 16:38
:yelclap: MrsO - it's such a great feeling hey when you can have that lovely calm bonding experience for a change. I treasure those feeds with Taj especially when he actually stays latched on continuosly instead of constantly on and off. Reminds me of how it was feeding DS1.
Some of you may have read my other threads in the reflux and breastfeeding sections about how things are going with Taj as it seems quite a few of us Feb mums are having issues with reflux. Finally got Taj on losec for his reflux and he is so much happier. We still have difficult feeds and he doesnt know how to resettle so doesnt sleep past one sleep-cycle (as he has rarely slept in the day till now) but some days I'm getting 2 or 3 40 min sleeps which is amazing for us. Jai is handling it all well which is great. We still have to get Taj weighed weekly and be monitored by a paediatrician but hopefully the worst is behind us.
Jai and I have a cold so hoping Taj doesnt catch it again as it makes the reflux worse and dont want it to interfere with the progress we have made. At the moment one of my sis-in-laws has sent her 3 kids to spend the holidays with us and the other sis-in-law was staying here with her husband and three kids too, but has had to go somewhere for a couple of days and decided to leave her two eldest children here. SO at the moment I have my 2 week old with reflux issues, a sick 2yr old, a 10 year old, 2 12yrold boys, a 14 and a 15yr old girl here. Oh and sick myself and struggling to cope. What doesnt kill you only makes you stronger hey?
On a more positiove note I'm loving all of Taj's smiles and cooing - his little personality is coming out now he's feeling a bit better. I think I even heard his first laugh the other day.
Sorry I'm not doing personals, not much time with all these kids and emotionally not really up to it either.
Mel
First of all, welcome to Chrissy m, you must be running around like crazy with 4 kids 6 and under. I thought I had my hands full. Congratulations on the arrival of your boys, you children are all beautiful.
I am staying up till I am ready to drop tonight:sleeping:. last night I went to bed at 10:30 (unheard of for me) I lay in bed waiting for Mackenzie to make a noise. I even enjoyed watching the darn twenty20 cricket at 4 this morning and I normally hate watching sport.
T&B-I too have fallen asleep during night feeds. I a generally a person who lnly needs around 6 hours a night but lately one minute less than that and I am buggered completely. Mackenzie slept through every night for 2 weeks (8 – 10 hours!) but has woken the last 2 nights and I fell asleep both times. Its not hard to get her into her cradle after that but of course she has usually had an hours or so in my arms so she only lasts a couple more before it is time to get up again. You mentioned being scared of the SIDS situation, can anyone tell me how co-sleeping works in that instance? Not that I want to have Mackenzie sleeping with us, the libido is flat enough! (sorry if TMI but come, we are all girlfriends now)
Bump-Mackenzie was waking up at about 5:30/6:00 which worked well for me as my husband leaves for work around that time. It made me get up and be really productive before the rest of the troupes rose.
Jaidevsmum- OMG!!!! I am trying really hard not to prejudge your family but what were they all thinking???? You must have the most enormous house or are very, very cosy. I can only hope that the 14 and 15 yo girls are domestic goddesses in the making. You are now officially THE supermum of the thread, no doubt about it. Girls, give her a round of applause… and perhaps a valium.
MrsO- You sound like you have feisty little girl on your hands, don’t fret, it is a wonderful personality trait to have later in life, no one will push her around. But from a friends perspective, well done. I know what you have been going through, Lockie was a tough nut to crack in the beginning too.
Sparowgal- rain is a bugger when the washing is out but gee I wish we could get some down here, and they say Melbourne is wet and miserable. The truth is that it is never gonna rain here till I wash my car by hand and I can’t wash my car by hand because of the water restrictions.
Oh gosh, I have been too embarrassed :oto admit it but I am a total disposable user. I used cloth with Lockie for about 6 or 7 months then he was just getting too wet and leaking every change and I did it for a week with Fletcher and I couldn’t keep up to date with all the washing. I don’t know how all you guys do it. I take my hat off to you all though, our rubbish bin is chockers every week with 2 kids in nappies. The new fitted nappies look so much nicer than my old regular cloth ones did. For those using disposables when out, we use Aldi nappies. Have used them with Fletch for a while now. When we brought Mackenzie home the smallest size was still too big so we used Huggies newborns up until about a week or so ago. My poor daughter now has my thighs so the Aldi fit well. I bought a pack of You’ll Love Coles and I can tell you I don’t! Took them back and got my money back, they were garbage.
Mackenzie is smiling and cooing too. Both my husband and my best friend have commented on how she appears to hang off every word I say. My husband has tried desperately to get her attention when she is glued to me without success. I am loving every minute of it:valentine:. She was always going to be very special to our family but she looks so much like my precious, late niece that sometimes I am sure it is her having her own private joke with the world and knows exactly who everyone is and what is going on. She has definitely been sent to me for a reason other than to fill the third seat in my car. I have a few friends with surprise (hate the term 'accident') babies say similar things.
Night girls, chat tomorrow....:wave:
Sparrowgal
21-04-2008, 23:01
Ofiona: There is no shame in using disposables. I don't judge anyone for using them, most people use disposables. I just really really REALLY hate putting things in the rubbish bin, or taking garbage out. Though the funny thing is, like you I don't need much sleep, only 5 hours but I find that if I sleep more than that i'm tired. So with my going to bed at 1am, waking up at 4am, then going back to bed at 4.30 and waking up at 7.30, my sleeping is all weird, and I feel sleepy.
Jaidevsmum: OMG you really really are supermum. I don't know how you do it. No wonder you're sick again :( :hugs: hope you feel better soon. Taj is sounding so cute!
MrsO: Hey keep up the good BF work! Hopefully in the not too distant future it will be perfect and you'll look back and forgotten all the hard parts.
Hi to everyone I've missed.
Erika is back in routine after the weekend mucked her up. I was worried she wouldn't sleep in the grobag coz of startle reflex but she seems to be sleeping ok. I wonder when she'll drop one night feed, if ever. Garbage night tonight, and I'm happy because our household garbage bin is only 1/3 full. After moving house it felt like there was never any room in the bin, hopefully we'll settle back to our normal minimal garbage again.
Anyway gonna sleep chat later :)
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
22-04-2008, 12:42
Ofiona - thanks for your comments, you made me laugh which I needed. I'm not actually a supermum because I'm not coping too well. Just found out the sis who was meant to come back today has decided to stay away another night and I was pretty upset but went in the bedroom to ring my DH and tell him exactly what I think of how completely inconsiderate and selfish his sister is being so I wouldnt explode in front of her kids - not their fault afterall. He offered to come home from work and help out but I know he really needs to be at work today.
Oh and the teenage girls have ocassional inspired moments of being domestic godesses then revert to sulky moody teens again complaining of being bored - as if I'm meant to entertain them?! I wonder would a complete nervous breakdown be entertaining enough???
On a positive note took Taj for his check at the GP and gained another 200gms in 6 days - 2 weeks with gains so we're out of the woods now. In a way I guess his previous weight losses were a blessing in disguise as they caused the doctors to take his reflux seriously and do something about it. Now he is 8weeks though every time I go the GP is asking if he can do his vaccinations but with everything going on I havent had a chance to research them yet and make a decision so I keep just putting them off.
Must go and feed the hungry horde - We have never gone through so much milk, bread and toilet paper (2 rolls/day!!!!) before.
On the cosleeping and sids there are a number of recommendations to cosleep safely - will come back with them later, 2yr old is playing with power point!!!!!:eek::shame:
I hope everyone is doing well
Mel
Hi everyone. I'm at my Mum's having a little holiday. It's been bliss. My husband works here during the week. So it's been lovely to be able to see him. We're going to stay for longer now, so I can go to the ABA meeting :thumbsup:
I can't wait to move back. I've missed it here so much.
Dylan's loved staying at Nanny's so much that he's decided to sleep through :smiliedance:. Last night he didn't, but the night before and the one before that he did. I hope he sticks with it!
I think it's because we've stopped co-sleeping. It's sad not having him in our bed, but we had a scare. I woke up to him crying, he had ended up on the pillow that I put between the bed and the bassinet. I don't honestly know how he got there, but it was enough for me to put him in his bassinet from now on. I felt so guilty :(
He's had his first taste of a bottle (EBM). I was so worried that he would have a bottle then not want me anymore, but I was stressing over nothing :D
I went out and bought him a dummy last night. I didn't use one with DD and I didn't want to use one with Dylan either, but he's on my boob from 4pm till whenever we go to bed. My nipples are getting sore and I want a bit of space. At times I feel like he's a parasite :o:(. Which of course makes me feel so guilty.
To those who use dummies, how long did it take bubs to keep a hold of it? DS just spits it out and screws up his nose LOL.
I'll do personals in another post, I've used up all my smilies LOL.
ChrissyM, your babies are just beautiful! I desperately want twins next. What's it like? Are you so tired? Do you get anything done during the day? I agree, you're a supermum! You have a gorgeous little family. Welcome :D
Tillieandbug, where overseas are you going?
Bump, we've had no problems without the swing since we're on holidays. We just rock him to sleep in our arms. I don't know why I didn't think of it before lol.
Mary sounds like such a good baby! Sleeping and feeding well :D I'm very happy for you. I hope your day at MG went well.
Sparrowgal, I wish you lived here! I get the same stares, especially with the sling. We could be weirdos together lol. I'm going to love the ABA meeting next week (I hope). I want to meet like minded parents before I move over here. I'm going to go to playgroup a couple of times at home before we move, just for a bit of company during the week.
Congratulations MrsO!! I'm so happy for you! :hugs::hugs: You must be so proud of yourselves . I hope it's smooth sailing from here on in. :kiss:
Jaidevsmum, aren't those smiles and coos just beautiful!! I can't get enough of them :D.
I hope you're feeling better soon, fingers crossed he doesn't catch it.
OMG JM, I missed the part about how full your household is.
I'm sorry it's been tough :hugs:fancy dumping their kids on you at a time like this! :no::hugs:
Yay for the weight gain! :smiliedance:
Ofiona, I've been using disposables while at my Mums. We're using You'll love coles as well I hate them! Cheap and nasty little things. I was going to get them for DD at daycare but I don't think so.
Ehh, wanted to write more but Dylan's just woken up and he's starving. Take care everyone :hugs:
MordecaiAliVanAllenO'Shea
22-04-2008, 17:26
OMG - Taj has been asleep over an hour now!!!!!!:yelclap: Biggest day sleep in a lonnggg time, broken the one-sleep-cycle-barrier!!!!!!!
Alicia - that must have been scary with Dylan landing on the pillow. I used to freak out co-sleeping with DS1 as a bub but with Taj he just seems to naturally crave close contact, and with his poor sleeping till now its been a life saver for me.
The tips for safe co-sleeping:
- dont do it if you have been drinking alcohol or taken medication which makes you drowsy or sedated.
- babies head level with yours or above so if you pull covers up over yourself in the night they wont cover bubs head (so in winter all wear very warm clothes on top half so you wont need blankets etc up high)
- no pillows near bubs head.
theres more but my brains not too good right now. With DS1 DH and I used to turn our pillows length ways down the edge of the bed leaving a big gap in between them, and sleeping on the bottom end of them with bub in between meant he was high enough above the covers.
With DS2 I dont follow all the rules I must admit - just seems so natural with him, he snuggles up close to me, his head against my chest (I lay side on to him and he side-on to me - his preference).
Thanks for all the sympathy re our house-guests, sis-in-law rang her daughter to tell her they might not be back tomorrow either.
-
Sparrowgal
22-04-2008, 19:04
Well Erika had her GP appointment and then Paediatrician appointment today so she's had a full morning.
She had her immunisations and she was a good girl, she only cried with the needles and then stopped after a cuddle. Unfortunately she got a bit of blood on her clothes, I should have known better than to wear white clothes...
But I have to say a paediatrician visit is a waste of time, for a healthy child. He told me that he'll see me in 6 months or so but honestly I don't want to, I think I'll just get my GP to do her 6 month check of the local childhood community clinic. I think my paediatrician was surprised to see a cloth nappy, he said he hadn't seen one like that before (she was wearing a peapod). And I wore my sling to the clinic, and I'm happy to say my back stood up to the constant wearing of the sling, I was worried I'd get sore but it was all good. I think it was extra good because it was raining and I don't have a rain cover for my pram. Anyway she's 4.55kg now so she's on track, I'm happy. Gosh they grow quick!
Alicia: Glad you're having a good time at your mum's, hope she's having fun with her grandchildren. Enjoy the ABA meeting! And of course more time with DH is always good :). You know I always wondered why you made multiple posts - I never realised it was because you ran out of smilies! :laughing: Oh and I use a dummy for Erika, she would naturally suck on it when she was hungry, she won't take it when she's just eaten. I don't know if it helps but I put some breast milk on it the first few times to get her to take it (don't shoot me all you non-dummy users eep!) but she finds it comforting now and when she's sleepy she likes to take a dummy and it will fall out when she's asleep.
Jaidevsmum: yay for weight gain! I'm glad it's all looking good for you - especially with all those young'uns underfoot. I am glad you can say stuff in here, I do that when I need to vent, I come to this forum. Thank god for the internet. Oh and about co-sleeping, I heard that co-sleeping meant that baby was an arms length from you, it doesn't necessarily mean they're sleeping in the same bed or something.
OK baby's eating time! Gotta go, night girls.
mythreelittlemonkeys
22-04-2008, 21:32
England :) Home :)
Sorry just read all posts but both babies are sleeping so should I will post to everyone soon! V hectic this week ;)
kelly_l9
23-04-2008, 21:48
Hi
Hopefully you guys dont mind that I join in. I had my first bub on 26/2 ... bub is around 8 weeks now. Just wondering if you have problems putting bubs to have naps during the day ? Also, how long does your bub sleep during the day and night at around 8 weeks ?
I BF my bub on demand and during the day, he is fed near once every 2 hours (20 minutes) ... Does any one BF and manage to last longer ? I try to extend the period to 3 hours but it doesnot seem to work so far.
Thanks.
Kelly
Sparrowgal
24-04-2008, 05:29
Hi Kelly and welcome! You have come to the right place - many of us have been complaining about bubs not sleeping during the day. I read somewhere that bubs is awake about 10 hours at around this age (my daughter is only 5 days older than your son), but I'll tell you my personal experience (which wouldn't suit everyone, so I hope someone else posts their experience):
I schedule feed during the day and demand at night, so I feed every 4 hours (roughly) 8am/midday/4pm/8pm/midnight and wake up for whatevers at night. I fed water in between those feeds when I was first trying to make a schedule if she was hungry (seems sometimes she's more thirsty than hungry?) and now she sometimes wants to go longer between feeds but I stick to 4 hours. In the morning I play with her after 8am feed until she's tired, and I try to put her down to sleep at 9.30-10ish (I do dummy/wrap/bouncer). Then I feed at midday and play until 2-ish then sleep again. From 4-8 she never wants to sleep so she's awake all that time. She then eats at 8, play then bathtime and i try to put her to sleep at 10pm. At nighttime she wakes up for a feed but usually will go back to sleep after it and usually she won't eat much. But she isn't always on schedule (who is anyway :)). Yesterday she was awake from 8am till 2pm, then from 4.30 till 10pm. And I SWEAR I had no caffeine that day or the day before. I thought it would make her sleep well last night but nope I was up twice and she's awake at 6am again (hence here I am).
Hope that helps, but I hear with demand feeding your baby sleeps better at night...
T&B: I didn't realise you were going overseas until I read Alicia's post, and I still can't find that post you said you were going overseas... I must be blind. Have fun!
Phyllis Stein
24-04-2008, 08:21
Hi all! Have half a chance to catch up while Jas is asleep. Still reading through everything, so I'll leave personals until I'm a bit more up to date. :)
Jas is going great! We've fallen into a nice little routine, that generally goes something like, wake at 7am, feed & play until 8am, then sleep until 10. Have a lovely day together, playing & going out, sometimes he sleeps in the hugabub. He feeds roughly every 2 hours during the day. By around 4pm, I settle down on the couch with a good book, and let him comfort feed for as long as he wants - usually he sucks until around 7-8pm - DH cooks dinner while we're cuddled up on the couch. It's my favourite time of the day! Luckily my nipples can handle it! It's keeping my supply up too! Anyway, most nights, Jas will go down at 8-9pm, wake at 11 for a top-up, then sleep until 3-4am, feed, then sleep until 7. This is working really well for all of us. I get the house cleaned each morning while he's asleep, then have an active day, and a relaxing evening.
Jas still has a bit of reflux, but we're trying to get through without meds. Going ok so far with positioning & diet modification, so fingers crossed it keeps improving!
That's about it for now - oh, and here's a few pics of my little man!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/lichen44/JasperSharedAlbum/photo?authkey=fYQgi716yLU#5191445795568564258
http://picasaweb.google.com/lichen44/JasperSharedAlbum/photo?authkey=fYQgi716yLU#5191445189978175490
http://picasaweb.google.com/lichen44/JasperSharedAlbum/photo?authkey=fYQgi716yLU#5191445061129156578
Sparrowgal
24-04-2008, 08:59
Mahna! Gorgeous pics and great to hear you've got a happy healthy bub and that you've settled into a routine. Thx for the advice on mei tai by the way, I love mine thanks to you :) Jas is looking SOOOOO cute.
Hi All,
Mrs O - Well done on the feeding, hope things continue to improve for you from here. :)
JM - OMG how are you coping, I cannot believe the situation you have been left in. If you get through this, you should be running the country, I struggle just to get myself & Tess organised. Make sure you take care of yourself. :hugs:
Mahna - Jas is absolutely gorgeous. Glad to hear things are going well for you.
ChrissyM - Welcome, yur kids are sooo cute !!
Sparrowgal - Glad to hear Erika is on track with her weight gain, well done !! :yelclap:
Alicia - Enjoy the time with your Mum, I must admit since becoming a Mum I feel a special bond with my Mum now, we have always been like best friends but now even more so.
kelly_l9 - Welcome ! My little one is a few weeks older, Tess is 11 weeks & I had no joy with her sleeping during the day until this week & since Sunday she has been in the same routine every day, well pretty close to it anyway. I am BF & this has been her pattern.
Up between 6-7.30am Feed, play back in bed around 9.30 for approx 1.5hrs, up again another feed at 10ish, then a walk or down to the shops for mesage etc, back in bed around midday for another 1-1.5hrs. Up at 2 for feed, play, gets a bit grumpy around three so either back to bed for a nap or out for a walk in the fresh air then home for a cuddle & nap. Bath around 5pm, feed 5.30-6ish, bed around 7-8ish then sleeps through till 2am for short feed and striaght back to bed, usually asleep when feeding at this time. I got Tess a grobag and it seems she is now assosciating it with sleep, I put her in it as soon as I see tired signs, yawning, eye rubbing jerky movements etc, she carrys on for a few minutes when I first put her in, then I cuddle her till she is drowsy then into the cot. Sometimes she wakes during her day naps but I either walk in and help her find her thumb to suck or give her a quick settling cuddle and back to bed.
But for me the hardest period was from 6-8 weeks, from then on I have found Tess much more enjoyable as she is getting more sleep & is happier when awake now.
Hope that helps a bit.
Not much else from me, we have paid the deposit on the wedding venue...woohoo....so now the hunt for a dress & celebrant & band etcetcetc begins :smiliedance:
We also got a date for Tess's operation at the end of June, I am happy with that, enough time for her to get a bit bigger & stronger, but not too long for us to dwell on.
Take Care All
Kelly
Yay JM :smiliedance:. Dylan's a cat napper too, so was Alexi. Drives me nuts!
OMG, I hope they've picked up their kids by now. How rude! :hugs:
Sparrowgal, the problem we're having with the dummy is that he can't keep a hold of it! He's finding his fingers now, so I'll keep off the dummy for awhile. Alexi is a thumb sucker, it's magic!
T&B, that's lovely. I'm sure you'll have a great time
Welcome Kelly :D and congratulations.
I can't help you there I'm afraid. I don't watch the clock, I'm not even sure how often he feeds :o:laughing:
Wow Tia! Would you look at all that hair! He's just gorgeous!
His routine sounds lovely! Reading about it made me feel relaxed lol. We're so hectic here. I'm too unorganised for a routine. But I might try one when I get home.
Dylan likes to comfort suck for about the same length of time as Jas, but my DH isn't home during the week and I have a 2 year old running around . We have dinner very early, usually around 4:30pm lol.
Glad to hear his reflux is doing better :D
Gosh I need a Mei Tei. I'm calling my Aunty who works at Spotlight and asking her to get me some material. I'll be making one when I get home. Can't wait to get Alexi back to daycare lol.
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