Babies Born ~ December 2014

This thread is for parents whose baby was born December, 2014. Congratulations!

Your moderators for this forum are as follows:

Astrolady ~ Administrator
OceanPrincess ~ Moderator
~Hestia~ ~ Moderator
~TT40~ ~ Moderator

There are many issues that you will encounter as a new parent. We have put together this list of useful articles and threads in order to assist you with some common questions or issues you may have, and to provide you with bit of extra support that we all need as new parents:

Feeding Support:

Helpful Articles
Breastfeeding FAQs
Is My Baby Hungry?
Is Feeding Your Baby Taking Too Much Time?
Feeding Your Baby
Lactose Intolerance
Starting Solids - When Is My Baby Ready?

Helpful Forums
Breastfeeding, Bottlefeeding and Solids


Please contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) or a Lactation Consultant if you are concerned that you may have breastfeeding and/or supply problems, and before the introduction of solids.

Sleeping Support:

Helpful Articles
Babies & Sleep
Controlled Crying/Comforting/Sleep Training
The Con of Controlled Crying
The Crying Game
15 Ways To Help Your Baby Sleep

Helpful Forums
Comforted Sleeping & Sleep Issues Forum


Other Useful Information & Recommended Reading:

Helpful Articles
Baby Massage
Cuddle Me Mum
Recommended Reading List

Helpful Forums
Infant-led Feeding & Weaning
Baby Slings and Baby Wearing


Got questions?

Post your questions in the forums mentioned above, or in the following forums where you're sure to receive many friendly responses!

General Baby & Toddler Forum
Gentle Parenting Forum

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Hey everyone!!
I can't believe my little one is a week and a half old! SO far she is such a calm placid thing, more than happy to sit in the bouncer while I'm near by (unlike her sister who would scream if you wearnt carrying her 24/7)
How did everyone choose their names??

Hey TT40. Joining in here! Our beautiful boy was born this week. Totally in love.

We just squeeze in here too by a day. Just got home today.

How are the Dec mums going? I am still feeling very much under the weather. Last night was our best night where all up I managed about 6-7hours sleep which is at least double and some nights triple what I have had this past week. DS is feeding like a champ although I am terribly engorged and we are having problems with lactose overload. I feel its a no win situation at the moment as if I express some for comfort and to get rid of some first milk I am only going to produce more. The pain is awful and I currently don't have a single bra that fits.

How is everyone else's older children going with the baby? DD3 is very doting although a bit overwhelming. Her behaviour is been a bit more difficult since DS was born. Its a fine line with her and disciple as w don't want her to blame the baby for any changes happening for her but we also don't want her to continue with her new behaviours. In other news DH and I don't agree with the circumcision debate. He is not going to back down about having it done and I don't know what to do about it. I got the Ob to talk to him about it but regardless of evidence stacked against reasons to have it done there is this ongoing disagreement with him about it.

OMG I was severely engorged the other night too. I really feel for you. It hurt to stand, to lay, to wears top, not wear a top. I swear I went from a DD to at least a G cup. I tried pumping but it didn't help at all, I just got in the shower for a while then laid down with freezing cold washers on them. Nothing helped but time really. It toke at least 12 hours for it to settle. Hoping it eases for you, I really do.

I am also feeling very under the weather. I have a really horrible hemorrhoid, it's so painful. I don't know how to be with it. I'm using a cream and icing when I can. That coupled with stitches and getting up and down constantly has left me feeling very average indeed. I honestly felt that a VBAC would leave me feeling physically better but so far, that's proving to be wrong.

Sleep wise he is settled more during the day. Of a night it's constant feeds and poos. My night sleep is four hours in total.

Our DD is doing ok. It upsets her when he cries and when I feed him. She is starting to warm to him though and sometimes talks to him. Saying and demanding a lot of 'I wants this and I want that' so she's probably feeling a bit neglected. I feel guilty as she has been having to amuse herself more and we've been letting her use the iPad too much. How do you spread yourself evenly when you have a newborn :'(

I didn't know they even still circumcised anymore. Goodluck working through that with your husband. That would be a difficult decision to make seeing as he wants it and you don't.

My DH is being a champ. He's doing everything! In return I am not bothering him of an evening and letting him get a big solid chunk of sleep. Though I am sure he is still knackered.

We're all totally in love with this kid. He's perfection. I love falling in love.

Hey, on phone so not really personal..but will try to remember everything

Engorgement sucks, i had it once in the first week, ive been fortunate that they seem to have settled down now. Im offically tandem feeding too...would prefer not to.but it is how it is for now. Gives Spock comfort and helps her adjust.
She is so affectionate to Quark, always helping etc... on the surface hasnt batted an eye at having a new sister constantly saying she loves her etc.. but she is having really nasty outbursts randomly, yesterday out of the blue she just punched me in the eye. But she did have them before Quark came, they are worse now tho, hut i think it is mainly an age thing.
I have the same issue with circumsion and DH. I am so thankful we have girls and dont even have to go there...cause he is and all his sons are, but i am absolutely against it. Hevean help us if we do ever have a boy.
Thats all i can remember atm...

Ok so I've got oversupply or fast let down or something happening. Our little mate is unsettled, lots of leg pulling, watery frequent poos, cluster feeding, could not put him down last night. I gave up at 3am and co slept. Anyone have any tips to deal with this?

Rosey it sounds like your going something similar to us. At the moment I am putting it down to lactose overload. It should settled with time as your milk supply settles (boobs seem to be in overdrive for that first 1-2weeks if you have a good supply). To try and avoid it they suggest expressing before a feed. So pump or hand express 20-30mls (only if your supply can handle it of course) then put him to the breast. This is avoiding him getting the first milk which is very high in lactose and gives them an upset tummy, watery poo and explosive frequent ones. We use to describe the first milk as the entrée. The stuff the quenches your thirst but has no bulk to it. The middle milk is the main meal and the last the desert as its much heavier and creamier so the stuff that gains the weight. Its all good of course just for new babies that don't need too much milk each feed to start with they tend to only get the first sugary milk and miss out on the middle and later components of the breast milk. Its also recommended only offer one side per feed to ensure they bub gets a good crack of getting the middle and hind milk.

You can also do whatbis called block feeding, which i did with Spock, so far haven't really needed to do it with Quark, but normally you alternate your breasts each feed, but what i would do with cluster feeding was if the next feed was within a certain time eg an hr or 2hrs, i.would feed again from the same breast. I think aba has some stuff about it

Also, one thing i forgot from my last post, and ive forgotten who posted about it... but witch hazel is good for heamaroids. You can find it in the face wash section of supermarketa, but soak a nipple pad (disposable) with it and put it on your bum and try to keep it there for a while.

Thanks for the advice ladies. I did the express before a feed yesterday arvo, but not during the night and offered the same breast within a certain time period. Explosive watery poos have decreased but bub would still only sleep in his bassinet for two hours. The rest of the evening was me trying to get him too, again gave up around 3am and co slept. I'm just disheartened that again we have a Bub that we can't put down. I know they are only little for so long and I don't mind snuggling during the day but of a night a really need to get some rest.

Can you ladies just feed, burp, wrap and lay bub down?

How are you all going? Emotionally and physically feeling well?

Bub is ypung rosey, you will be able to put bub down, just not quote yet.
Spock only ever napped in a carrier or car seat. Ever. For 6 months at least. I would have to bf to sleep snd she would be out like a light but as soon as that nipple left her mouth she knew!! Would take hours to settle. And would refuse a dummy
Quark is so easy in comparison! When she sqirms or cries it is obviously wind bothering her and she seems to pass it so much easier than Spock.
It is hard when they are so little. At the moment their only need is you and milk. That is really it. Their world will open a bit wider in the next few weeks, and then more and more and you will have more options,

I had a really bad day yesterday Rosey. Hopefully it was just a day of the blues. I am really happy with DS and how things are going with him but really sad where DH and I currently are. He has always had a communication problem and right now I can't be bothered trying to improve things. He has rekindled a relationship with an old mate who admittedly I have never met but I have heard enough about him to not want to. A lot more has happened with his family since Christmas and I feel like walking. I'm so upset that this has happened now when it should be such a beautiful time in our lives. I can't even talk to him about it as he just clams up and starts criticizing my family or something not so perfect I have done. On top of this 2 of my older girls have been awful. Fighting almost constantly. I think eldest DD has used my credit card to although I have not said anything yet until I have my statement for proof. Plus I am over her violent outbursts ad slamming doors, abusing anyone and everyone. She has had behavioural problems for a long time but recently we have seen a really positive change but since school has finished for the year things have gone down hill and I am not handling it as well as usual.

Anyway as for how to settle DS when he wakes he usually looses it completely until he gets the boob. There is not much warning just straight into screaming. I am still having trouble latching him as he doesn't open his mouth very wide and my nipples are quiet large so he often will munch down only half on which kills. My nipples are bruised and one is blistered and now my milk is in (it came in super early under 48hours) is harder to get him on as they are hard too. He feeds exceptionally well when I get him on. He will feed for 20-30mins then have some awake time usually but not always and then go back on the boob for another20-30mins and then sleep. Sometimes I can get him off whilst he is still awake and sleepy and snuggle him to sleep but so far he hasn't put himself to sleep. DH and been able to resettle him if his stirring but not actually settle him straight from the breast. Its hard when during the day you can nurse and feed but of a night you would like to feed and place back in their sleep space. We have been putting DS in his cot (right next to our bed) for his first sleep of the night and he stays there until he wakes. That was 1230 last night but then remains in our bed until morning. Partly this is my fault as I am so incredibly tired. I think I could settled him again I just need to wake myself up to do it. I have not had my Hb repeated but I am sure I am anemic. I am so pale and still feels weak and breathless.

There is a good ap we recommend called RockAbubApp Rosey. I am about to buy it myself.

TT40 my first was like your DD. All sleeps in the carrier or my arms. Lots of work to get to sleep too. It was very draining, that's why I am scared of it being the same again. In glad that your second DD is easier for you :)

Oh Mildez. That doesn't sound like a happy environment for you. All that coupled with sleep deprivation, you would be feeling very down. Your right it should be a baby moon phase for you family right now :(

I'll check out that app also. Thank you.

Our little man in 1 week today :) We didn't have a bad night although he did come in our bed at 2am and stayed. His feeding 3-4times overnight. I've been lucky that he settles straight back to sleep. I haven't had to contend with an active or alert baby overnight yet. I did attempt to put him back in his cot x 2 but he didn't last more then 10mins before he was back in my arms.

I am still having shocking after birth pains and a shooting pain up my bum. Its awful. And my loss is still heavy. So heavy I actually sprung a leak last night (still changing pads twice overnight). I'm a bit over it.

I spoke to DH briefly this morning and said I was unhappy about how I felt neglected by him and how everyone else came before me. He seemed genuinely shocked. He said he would come home early today so we will see. I didn't into any details but at least its out there. With sleep deprivation and hormones I am not my usual self which doesn't help.

Anyway how is everyone else going with their babies? TT40 how is your recovery going from Quarks birth?

Must think about writing a birth story up before I forget anymore. DH only reminded me yesterday I kept turning the synto infusion off.

Lol M, can't trust us midwives =p
Im recovering good, still get a bit of pain, but im naughty, i drove at 2 weeks, and was out working in the garden on the weekend, been doing lots of things i shouldn't, bit i just can't help myself.

Reading ladies. Hopefully reply tomorrow. Hope your all going ok x

Sounds like me Rosey. Lots to say just to exhausted to write and when I do have time I am trying to wash or tidy the house etc. The place is trashed with the older kids of school. So much to do. I have hardly had any time at home. Unfortunately the day before DS was born I had a dental crisis and have since had 4 trips to the dentist. The timing couldn't be worse. Its costing me my entire savings :(

Anyway DS has had a shocking day today poor darling. His finally asleep after hours of unsettledness and screaming. He had 20mls of formula yesterday when I was at the dentist as I didn't express enough. Not sure if that has anything to do with it but his exceptionally windy today and screaming just before he passes it.

hello ladies. I'm a little late to the party. Currently late night bonding with the breast pump!

Our little boy was born on 2nd December at 10:19pm. It was a beautiful birth, only 5hours active labour, born at home in a birth pool, in the caul.

Postpartum has been hard though. I had serious milk supply issues, by day 5 he has lost 16% of his birth weight and was very dehydrated. We were admitted to hospital, he was in the humidicrib fed via drip and a nasogastric tube for a few days. We found out he had a kidney condition which caused him to loose exess fluid. It was healed miraculously, and we could bring him home when he was two weeks old.

However, I still have milk supply issues, and we have had to give formula, which breaks my heart. My milk never came in, I'm sure the stress off hospital didn't help. We've tried all of the standard advice, fennelgreek, fennel tea, domperidome, malaxalon, supplemental nursing system.

Those first few days in hospital, before we knew about the kidney condition, mum txt me saying "belly belly has articles to help increase milk supply, if you can read them." They all said skin-to-skin, demand feed, don't schedule feeds, etc. It made me so angry, "I did all that, and we still ended up in this condition!"

Maybe I have insufficient glandular tissue, but I refuse to think that. Doing all I can to feed my baby boy, and praying for a better experience if we are blessed with another baby.

It's nice to read of other mums experiencing engorgement, etc. makes me sad I can't relate to it, but so good to hear of what normal breastfeeding is like. I wish I had educated myself more before baby arrived. I thought it would just happen!

So please keep sharing, I love hearing the stories.

Sounds like a beautiful birth Turtledove. Glad to hear the kidney condition has resolved. Sounds like you had a difficult few weeks with your hospital stay and supply issues. So many people would give up with the breastfeeding. You have to praise yourself for your dedication to doing everything you can to breast feed your son. How is your supply at the moment?

We have had some feeding issues but nothing like you. My baby has not been weighed since he was born. Well about 36hrs and he had lost 130grams. So I don't really know what his weighed is doing. I live in the sticks so over the Christmas/New Years break all services are not operating. DS has lots of wet and dirty nappies, demands to be fed between 2-5hrs and seems to be able to drain the breast quiet well so I assume he would be at least be back to his birthweight.

Hi Mumma's,

Mildez - how are things going at home with your DH and older children? Poor you having to have dental work done! Last thing you want on top of everything. How's DS today? More settled? How are you feeling physically after birth?

Turtledove - I'm sorry that your BFing journey hasn't been easy. You sound very dedicated to BFing but please don't beat yourself up. No matter how you feed your baby your still providing all that they need. Big hugs!

TT40 how are you traveling? How's being a Mummy of two going? Had any outings with both girls?

As for us. Our DS had been unsettled and wouldn't lay down comfortably without waking within a few minutes - co-slept. Just yesterday though he allowed us to lay him in his bassinet after each feed and wake. They are so unpredictable at this age. DS is feeding well, his above his birth weight and gained a lot the last week. I'm feeling physically better - breasts have settled, undercarriage healing. Mentally I feel soooo much better this time, I think it's the difference in births to be honest. I still can't believe I had him vaginally :) , must write a birth story before sleep deprivation zaps it. Hubby goes back to work Monday, bit nervous doing it solo!

Guilt is really killing me atm. My dd has been pretty much amusing herself. How do you stimulate your other children enough while tending to a newborn? :'(

Oh and take care of a house and ensure you and your DD eat!

How old is your DD Rosey? I don't think I can offer much advice as I am struggling with mine too. Although in some ways I am lucky mine are so spread out. My poor eldest DD gets a lot of chores. I am making a huge effort to reward her for all the help she gives us. I am often screeching at her to do this and that the poor girl. My 2nd DD is been really challenging. I took the 4 to a party today. Big mistake. DD2 argues and picks constantly on DD1 or DD3. I am really fed up with it. DH often takes her but that doesn't really help as I find he rewards her all the time which is nice for her but is having a very negative impact on my relationship with her as I am the one constantly disciplining her.

DS is been a delight. He has had some unsettled days and today he has been on the boob way more then is comfortable which gets a bit tiring but apart from that he is lovely and not a difficult baby. He has also started eyeing me of which is nice. Its taken up until yesterday to really feel he is looking at me. But now he stares at me which is so cute. He definitely knows his mummy and I am his favourite :) He hardly tolerates anyone else yet. DH feels a bit left out. Said he can't wait until he is older and he can make him happy. He said he really struggles at this age as nothing he does helps him settle. It gets a bit difficult when anything DH does makes him scream the house down.

As for how I feel physically I feel much better today although I still look like a freak. My eyes have bags to match an 80year old. I am not happy with my blood loss. Its still heavy. I have a very dark prune coloured discharge most of the time and still have several gushes of fresh red blood every day. I am worried about it actually. See not sure if I mentioned it before but had an APH which is why I was induced/augmented. They couldn't locate the area of the bleeding although they think it was from my cervix. They were even tossing up a malignancy which freaked me out. I know its extremely unlikely but I am freaking out because 1 I havent had pap smear for ages and 2 because the fresh bleeding is still going on. I am sure I am been paranoid. Just wish I had normal postpartum bleeding and not this bizarre shiat going on.

How are you recovering Rosey?

My DD is a few months off three. She is happy to play on her own but I just feel very guilty as I had all the time in the world for her before DS. Now I keep having to say, 'Mummy will soon', 'just let Mummy do this first' etc and she has stopped asking me :'( I feel really awful. I'm crying just writing it.

DS is a champ also. He has unsettled days and seems to have a lot of tummy pains still which means he is loving being held. He is trying to be a sleepy boy, but his tummy is holding him back. I popped him in the HAB yesterday and he loved that - I think that will be my saving grace with hubby heading off to work. He has began smiling, though none at me all at Daddy. He happily accepts cuddles and settling from Daddy, which I am thankful for.

I am feeling physically much better. I've been getting a weird feeling when I stand up though. It's like I feel something come down. Not blood. Hard to explain but I will keep an eye on it and keep doing my pelvic floor. Maybe it's just my stitches pulling. My stomach has gone down a lot and I already have a waist but the rest of me is still pudgey ha ha. I'm getting use to the sleep or lack there of, but come three o'clock everyday I would kill for a nap.

Mildez I'm sorry to hear your struggling too, babies really are a beautiful blessing and I don't wish the time away but it can be hard. I'm sure your eldest is loving the rewards that helping brings. How is your DD3? Yay for DS being a delight. I love when they really see you, they must love it also. My DS has fed more frequently last two days also. How's nappy changes at your house? I was changing sooo many but it has settled somewhat now. The prune coloured blood is old blood isn't it? I still get some fresh blood here and there, my MW said that's normal. I hope all is well with your bleeding! Is there a chance you can still have bleeding from the APH? How's your DS sleeping?

I think we may have some more time for our older kids when ours bubs can be entertained a bit by others. Right now DS usually wont last in his moses basket (its in the lounge room) for more then 5 mins without cracking it. Even when DD 2 and 3 hold him h wont last more then a few mins. His a bit better with DD1 as I do let her carry him around (she is 14 and has a lot of experience with young children and babies).

Yes I have been doing my pelvic floor too although I must say I haven't noticed much of a difference from before the birth which is nice. With my 3rd it took several weeks before I could even tell I was doing them if that makes sense. I'd do the squeeze and I couldn't feel a thing.

The midwife/child health nurse came yesterday. I was stoked bub had gained 560grams in 11days (from his discharge weight of 3110grams). At least all this feeding is doing something. I work with the lady that came and she thought I looked anaemic. My mother does too. I don't look myself. DS is going ok. He cluster feeds for 1-2hours which can be difficult with the older kids but then usually gives me a solid 3 hrs before repeating the pattern again. Overnight he usually doesn't feed that long but still having a good 3-4 feeds overnight. The nappies are settling too which is good. Only usually 1 change overnight now from 3-4. Bleeding is the same. I just wish it would go away already.

Our bub isn't keen on going down during the day. Blood curdling scream after 5/10 mins. Resettle and put back down only for the pattern to repeat. Night aren't a whole lot better. Seems he is having lots of trouble with his belly - trapped wind perhaps. Always grunting, pulling up legs and grimacing. Loves to be all crumpled up in the sitting position. Can eventually get like two two hour stints of sleep out of him after 10pm at night. It's very exhausting and I feel like I am doing it all wrong again.

Yay for that nice weight gain Mildez. What time of day does he cluster feed? Double yay for only one nappy change overnight. Hope your start feeling and looking like yourself again soon :)

DS seems to cluster feed all during the day. For example he had a small feed at 5am. Woke at 8am and fed on and off for 3hours. My boobs are killing me. He finally went to sleep at 11am and slept until 2pm. He fed on/off for 1hr and went back to bed at around 3pm. Then fed most of the next 2 hours and has now been sleeping for 30mins. His being doing this every day pretty much. He usually starts cluster feeding again at 7pm until 9-10pm and then will sleep until 2am. The times vary a bit. The longest I ever get out of him is 4hours but that seems to be only a stint every 2nd day. If you give him the boob he is happy. I try settling him other ways but he acts like his starving. Bobbing his head with his mouth open and tossing it side to side looking for the nipple. I've tried him with a dummy. Sometimes he will suck on it for 5-10mins but other times he just gags and cries.

I was in agony earlier today and then passed a clot. Pretty large and definite membranes and placenta looking material. The pain passed almost instantly although its come back now. I think I might have some retained products or something. Hopefully the bleeding settles now. The midwife that came yesterday thought I didn't have a good supply. She thought that his getting enough but is making the good weight gains through the frequent feeding more then a good supply and he needs to do that to get the volume. She is a lactation consultant so maybe she is right. I still have a lot of breast and nipple pain.

Sounds like your DS is been a challenge. I hope things get easier for you. Its hard when you have other things to do and need to spend time with your DD too but DS doesn't allow it. I a looking forward to school going back. Right now I feel the little time I have is spent chasing my tail repeating things Ive just done because the kids are so messy.

Hi Mama's. How are you all traveling? What is your December baby up too?

Mildez - have you passed any more clots? That doesn't sound good. How are you feeling about your supply? Is your DS still cluster feeding?

My DS has hardly slept today and has fed ALOT! Days he likes to be held but have managed the last couple of nights to get him to sleep in his bassinet. Longest sleep is three hours but mostly awake every two with a period around midnight to two that he's awake. Come 5 o'clock he's grunting and does that till 7. He's totally delicious though

My little one struggles with wind...a lot of screaming =(
Hubby goes back to work on Monday....I don't want him to...

TT40. We're in the same boat. Poor little man has lots of trouble. No sleep today, bar the odd cat nap on me, lots of crying and tummy pains. It's awful isn't it?

My hubby's gone already, though home for the weekend. Testing times.

I hope that things go ok when your hubby goes to work on Monday. Come in and vent.

Same TT40. I hope things go well when your husband is back at work. And your DD's wind eases for her (and you).

Rosey my bleeding is basically non existent now which is a relief as I was getting pretty sore from the pads. DS is still cluster feeding. Although does string together 3hours a few times in 24hrs so I don't think his starving. Last night I didn't get 2 hours from him. His a delightful little boy. He currently has the worst milk pimples. I wish they would hurry up and go.

Such a bad day yesterday, bad night last night and a shocker today. Baby boy isn't a happy camper. Seems in pain. Won't lay down, easily unsettled after he's asleep on us. Feel sad for him and my daughter cause she's amusing herself so much.

=( Rosey, have you a carrier?

I hope your night improves Rosey. Sounds difficult. Is your husband able to help?

I have lots to say but too exhausted to write :(

Did you have a better night Rosey?

Is anyone else's baby exceptionally rashy/covered in pimples? DS has had shocking acne for the last 1.5weeks. I thought milk pimples don't start until 4-5weeks. I wanted professional photos done but his having an ugly skin week :(

I think its safe to say my bleeding has stopped :)

Quark is cover in a little rash.. pretty sure its just a heat rash tho.
She had heaps of milk pimples first few weeks but now only has one or two

Shocking night. So tired today. Gosh I'm hoping this is an age thing and not a personality thing. I do have a few carriers from my DD and have been using the HAB for DS.

DS has pimples on his face and ears, has done for the past few days.