Babies Born April 2007 #4

Hi girls ... popping in again. I seem to be missing in action a lot lately - I've been spending lots of time taking Jambin to various appts (breastfeeding day stays, lactation consultants, GP's), as well as Mother's Group, playgroup, and lots of playdates with friends to get me out of the house or I'll go stir crazy.

We've just started Jambin on Zantac, for silent reflux. He's been a real little trooper and hasn't spat any of it out yet, although he's making some pretty funny screwed up faces when I syringe it into the back of his cheek. I wasn't expecting it to work so quickly, since he's only been taking it two days, but he's had a daytime nap yesterday and today, which is the first time he's napped in his bed (an Amby hammock) since I bought him home from hospital. Previously, the only place he would nap in the daytime was upright in the hug-a-bub, and never anywhere else. Because he was losing weight, we're still topping up his breastfeeds with formula or EBM, and he has put on 600g in the last 3 weeks which we're absolutely ecstatic about. I'm also expressing 8 times a day, so it keeps me pretty busy (but expressing gives me a good chance to have some BB time!)

Nightimes, he's sleeping great, and only getting up for 1-2 feeds. He feeds well at night (no breast refusal, like during the day), and self-settles back to sleep when we put him in his cot awake). So I'm really blessed with that side of things.

Melissa - what things have you tried to keep Olivia awake during the day? Jambin is awake all day (and cries if I leave his sight), but to keep him from crying I involve him in everything I do, including doing the laundry, washing the dishes etc. I take him everywhere with me, explain what I'm doing ("these are daddy's daggy undies" ... "these are mummy's sexy gstrings" lol), take him out in the garden to do weeding with me etc. Perhaps doing some things like that might help keep Olivia awake a little bit more?

Caro - I read your other post about round-the-clock feeding :hug: It's exhausting isn't it. The LC I'm seeing suggested that I could express directly after a feed, and not worry about waiting a certain period of time, as for me it's a matter of stimulating supply, rather than trying to express a certain amount. This arvo I expressed 3 times in between feeds, about an hour apart each time. I was only getting 30ml each time, but that's as much as I get even if I wait for 3 hrs, and I've been told by an ABA counsellor that breastmilk replenishes about every 15 minutes anyway. Perhaps that might make it logistically easier for you, especially if Michael is feeding so frequently. I hope you're manging to get some sleep in, amongst all that feeding, and making sure you take good care of yourself :hugs:

hey cherie, can you tell me how they diagnosed his silent reflux? And what his symptoms were please? thanks

Sure Danni :)

We first saw the paed at 5wks - at that stage, Jambin was screaming all day (not just crying or grizzling, but screaming ... all day!). And the paed asked me if he had any happy time when he was awake, which he didn't. He was either asleep, feeding, or screaming. He was also losing weight, which can be a symptom of silent reflux.
His other symptoms were:
- reswallowing, where we could hear him vomit, but nothing would come out of his mouth because he would swallow it back down
- coughing
- wet sounding wheezing
- hiccuping after feeds

Initially the paed wanted me to top up his feeds 6-70ml, as she said that he probably was either starving (from low supply of breastmilk), or had silent reflux + starvation. And she wanted to address the starvation issue first, so that we didn't end up medicating him for something he didn't have. Apparently a very hungry baby & a refluxy baby can present quite similarly. She prescribed me Motilium, and we're topping up with either EBM or formula (I can only express 20-30ml each time, so not enough for all top-ups).

So we topped us his feeds - it really helped settle him a lot more - much less screaming during the day. But still would not sleep at all during the day unless he was upright in my arms or the hug-a-bub, and he still didn't have any happy, awake time. And still lots of reswallowing, coughing, wheezing etc.

So I went to see the paed this week, and we decided to trial Zantac, to see if it would make a difference. Which it has :) We got another morning sleep this morning - 3 mornings in a row. I can hardly believe it, because it's so different to what's been happening for the past 8 weeks.

Hi all,

MIA for a while back boy, lots to catch up on again so here goes....

Kaz - great to hear from you and hear that all is well. I am the same with the skin on skin thing - Mimi just loves it - she is a real cuddler. She had a growth spurt last week too for her 4th week out in the world but it's calming down now.

Kel - you're right re Mimi and her skill at the breast! I have checked with nurses etc now and she is just pretty efficient and gets what she needs so I am really being led by her now and not stressing about it. Good luck with the BF - I agree with Caro - see a lactation consultant and get some support from there - you can do it I am sure and particularly if your head is in a better place about it all now it's a good time to try again. Best of luck babe.

IonaMacca - yay on 6 hours sleeps from Luke! sounds like he is dropping that feed and very settled - fantastic.

Melissa - glad Olivia is doing well - I am hanging for Mimi to start smiling. I have only had an occasional one....re during the day, I like to keep Mimi on regular feeds during the day and try to fit them in before bed in an attempt to get her full for the night sleep.So I don't let her go longer than 4 hours between feeds during the day - if I let her go she would just sleep! But she is a bit younger than all of you guys so she is not awake as much yet during the day. Really only just over an hour and then she is ready to go back. I agree with what the other girls have said re no talk etc at night and just straight back to bed and having a regular nighttime routine of bath and story or gentle cuddle etc before putting them down. Good luck with it though.

Kristie - Mimi is the same at night now re the shorter feeds and generally only one side. I am just following her lead with it now!

Disgirl - great re Ben's big sleeps! he sounds very settled. would not throw anything at you - it's great for you that he is settled and sleeping and it gives me hope that Mimi will get to that age and do the same thing!

Christy - great you had the rest with your parents. I am at my parents' farm now and getting doted on with the girls - it's great!

Krysalyss - I am about 8 nappies for Mimi - really only after feeds and if she wakes hysterical with a messy one.....sorry re your bf troubles, hope it works out and that all is ok with the mucus test!

Caro - take care of yourself - hope things settle down for you soon.

Cherie - hope all settles for you too with Jambin. I can't imagine how hard it must be.
Me - all good - Mimi is divine, so in love with her and just trying to get her sleeping longer at night (aren't we all....) but really I am only up once half the time and twice the other half so can't really complain. She had her 4 week check last week and had put on 260g per week and is now 4.440 kgs so growing nicely. Very pleased with that. I am off to Noosa for two weeks next Sunday and can't wait. Means I will miss my 6 week OB check as he is in Paris til the day after I leave...half his luck. Anyway, all is good so it will just have to wait I suppose!

Anyway, enjoy your long weekends all - and chat later

Gigi xx

I'm not sure about that our situation Caro. I honestly don't believe that our paed caused Jambin's reflux.

All of his symptoms, the reswallowing, coughing, choking, screaming, bad-temperedness, and non-sleeping were present before the paed suggested top-ups. And she wasn't concerned that Jambin was gaining weight slowly, she was concerned that at 5 weeks of age, he was actually losing weight, rather than gaining.

When we started top-up feeds, things improved, although they were not perfect. Then, when we started Zantac, things have continued to improve.

So in our situation, I feel that the reflux was present prior to us even seeing the paed, and prior to us commencing top-ups.

It may be a different story for yourself and Michael however. Our little miracles are all so very different (and so very challenging at times ;) )
I hope things improve for you both - it is a tough road to be walking.

thanks cherie. Mason has been posetting and projectile vomiting much more than normal this week. He is also gagging, choking and reswallowing after feeds, between feeds and before feeds :(

He is barely sleeping as he wakes due to the pain and he is very unsettled the past few days.

I just took him to the doctor and we need to get an ultrasound done next week to eliminate some disorder regarding the tummy muscles. He also told me to give him infant gaviscon.... gosh this is awful

Hi!

Not much from me today...Took the kids to a play centre which was fun...I'm feeling particulary tired for some reason...Dh is out for the night so I'm left with the kids - although he's going to help me with dinner etc which will be good...I hate being home alone as such as something always seems to go wrong or they have an extra unsettled night - LOL!

Melissa - Sounds like your doing everything you can! Trust me, it won't last forever and bubs will turn it around! I know it's hard to look at it like that but one of these days it will just switch around!

Caro - Sorry to hear your still having dramas...it's always the way isn't it! just when we've got them worked out in some type of routine it all goes backwards! hehehe.
It's so hard not to cry over spilt milk!

Cherie - Sorry to hear about the silent reflex - hopefully the medication helps!!

Gigi - Sounds like you're going really well!! Yeah on the weight gains!! It's easier second time around to just go with the flow I think...I remember the 1st time around being really anxious and wondering what was happening every second...so much more relaxed now!

Danni - Sorry to hear your having a tough time with Mason...hopefully everything settles soon...

Better go...got to cook dinner!

mason definitely has reflux and needs to take gaviscon and have an ultrasound :( Poor bub has been screaming more since I gave him the meds..

Kristie: my dh just called to say he wont be home till around 8 and i get so anxious :(
On the upside, I look forward to seeing you guys on monday!

Poor Mason :( I hope the Gaviscon starts to work soon.

No worries Caro - there are definitely lots of similarities between Michael & Jambin, in particular the amount of stress they cause their mothers lol. Wouldn't it be great if bubbas came with an instruction book so that they could tell us what's wrong and how to fix it, so that we don't have to run around like chooks with our heads cut off trying everything under the sun and still having bubbas in pain.

Oh yes - I'll put in my order for one of those too please :)

Hi all...

We have been doing well. Lil has been pretty good and DH has been home, so everything has been so much easier with him here. He got up with her this morning at 6:30 and let me sleep. I stayed in bed until 9:00!! OMG I haven't 'slept' so long for weeks! It felt good especially since it is so cold and miserable here! And now Lily is asleep with DH so I even have some me time....oh the sweet feeling of it!!! LOL.
Lily is still not sleeping well in the day time, and last night refused to go to bed until 10:00... so I was buggered! But other than that we're good.
The bf is going ok, I'm not doing it really properly yet until I see the LC, but I am letting her have a suck and seeing what she does. She forgotten how to latch properly so I have to be careful I don't get grazes and sores again. I don't know how to get her to open her mouth wide enough...any ideas from you girls?! I have been pumping after every feed , even night ones, but only for 5mins each then! Lil seems to enjoy it except when I tyr to make her open her mouth then she gets frustrated and I have to stop or she chomps on me! Little monkey.
We went to see the MCHN the other day and Lil's now 5.25kg and has grown 1cm in a week! She's definately thriving hehehe!
Ok I jinxed myself....they're up! I should have known Lily would only have a cat nap, it is day time...

Sorry no personals...

Gotta go and tend to the princess, happy Saturday!

Kel.

I love weekends - DF gets up early for Patrick :)

So many posts! Not sure if I can manage personals today, but my thoughts and sleepy vibes to all.

On Monday, Patrick hit the 10lbs mark, and is now wearing his 00's too. Little piggy! He's now 56cm long too. Upped his formula to 150mls on Tuesday, and he's sucking it all down in about 15 mins flat. Good news is he's now taking the boob more (go figure?) and we're getting in about 4 feeds a day off the boob. Usually in bed, with him lying next to me :D

Kris - I hit the gym on Tuesday too, sorta regretting it, as it feels like every step I take my insides are falling out of my pelvic floor. I swear that my pelvic floor has been "worse" since Wednesday too. Grrrr.

Tummy time - its hard to work it in, isn't it - waiting until a decent amount of time has passed after feeds and the like. But at least when I put him on his tum, I get to do my abs too :D Patrick and I lift our heads together.

Oooh, and if anyone's interested, BabyCo have sales at the moment on their nursery manchester - the one I like (Zanzibar) is marked down from $209 to $138 for the quilt / pillowcase / sheets / blankie / valence / bumper set. Other styles available. Also cots are reduced if you're still in a cradle like us ...

Caro - I've bought the oats, just have to cook them. I just don't seem to be getting time to eat, what with cleaning, doing loads of washing, preparing bottles, and crashing out on the sofa / bed / chair ....

Speaking of washing, how's this for bad - someone gave us some lovely Pumpkin Patch clothing, and it took me a week to get around to washing them - lucky I tried them on Patrick first, as I had to return them to get the next size up, he's no longer in Newborn under their sizing. Which is a pity, as I have a lovely jacket in Newborn that's very warm. Might go buy the next size up for him ... hmmm.

Waiting for the mothers' group to start here, and then I'm also thinking of the CWA, if they let babies attend! It's just down the road from me ...

Danni *hugs* Kel *hugs* Cherie *hugs* Gigi *hugs* Anyone else *hugs*

Hugs to the world!

Anyhows, have a safe week all :D

good to hear from you kaz! I cant believe Pat is in 00s! Mason just got into 000 wondersuits but is definitely still wearing 0000 clothes still. I am very glad though, as he is getting a lot of wear out of these clothes and I can manage to let him wear everything atleast once before he grows out of them iykwim?

Mason put on 500gm this week! he is now 4900 :D

Hello again ladies,

We are having such a lovely day! DH took Lily out to the shops for a few hours, so I managed to get the house properly clean, not just tidy!! LOL. She has been such a good little munchkin today too, it is so much easier with two of you home!

Kaz, Hello!! Feels like ages since we've heard from you!
How much easier are things with DH home? My DH got up for Lily today too, ohhh how good it felt to be in bed in this chilly weather!
It sounds like Patrick is growing well! Lily is about the same size as him! She's already onto 150mls per bottle, though will usually only take about 130-40mls.

Caro, thanks for the suggestion, I have been trying to do that to encourage her but she's been lazy (too used to the bottle I think)! No I'm not engorged, I don't have enough of a supply yet to get engorged, I am only now having the feelings again that my bbs are filling a little and emptying a bit when I express or feed. I have been through the ABA website and read alot about how to position and attach, we're getting there! I bf Lily once today and she took to it like a pro! So I guess as you said one day at a time. She must have gotten a fair bit of milk because she left 80mls in her bottle when she usually leaves about 20mls, if any at all! I have also expressed about 40mls so far today (after pumping three times), pretty good considering three days ago I could only get about 30mls for a 24hr period. I feel proud, hehehe!
Sorry to hear you a had a horrible day. I guess we're all bound to have one every so often, although with two little ones I guess that likelyhood increases, LOL!
Maybe if the wedge works for Michael you can return the hammock...? Yay that Michael is putting on weight! Lily is too and I think she'll be into 00's in the next week or so!

Ok gotta go Lil's awake...

Kel.

Hi Girls,
Just a quick one as I am home alone today and tomorrow. Adams gone on a boys trip overnight and Olivia has been wonderfully good. Must like to play up when Daddy is around. Lets see how tonight goes!!! Basically I am doing nothing:) I did a 24 hour feed chart and Olivia had 11 feeds of all different amounts, but went through 6 bottles in total. I wish she would just drink it all at once, coz I worked out I am sitting there for around 6 hours feeding... lucky I'm not breast feeding, coz as my memory serves me, I was feeding for much longer!! Oh well, cant complain. Last night she slept from 1030pm til 330am, so I was extatic. Then she woke at 530 for another feed!!!lol
Anyway, all is good here, hope you are all doing well
Love Melissa

Hi all,

Matt has had a couple of days being a bit unsettled I'm guessing it might be a wonder week for him. He's down for a lunchtime sleep now, and if it goes right he will be down for a couple of hours.
He had a visit from the nurse last week and she thinks he's doing very well. He was 6kgs! Little chubby bub. He's holding his head well and he's quite strong at pushing his chest up off the floor while on his tummy. He smiles and babbles heaps too. I'm just waiting for him to say something pmsl. No seriously, he is quite a little champ and we adore him!
Great to hear things are well in most camps..
Sorry for those bubs with reflux. I hope the medicine can help settle things for them quickly.

Hi!

I've got heaps on at the moment and I'm getting so exhausted! The boys are really well. Dylans skins looking heaps better and he's being really good other than a bit unsettled last night with farty bums...

Danni - Poor little Mason. Yep - I can't wait to meet him on Monday! Will be a great day!
Wow on his weight gain as well - He won't be in 000's for long by the sounds of things!! Thats great!

Kel - Yeah on the sleep in and me time! It's amazing how good it can make you feel to have some quiet time to do as you please!! Wow - what a big girl - thats great!
re the feeding - I think you just brush her lips with your nipple and then kind of push her head in when her mouths open..hmmm not sure if that makes sense at all...hehehe.

Kaz - sounds like Patrick is doing really well!! Thats great that he's having 4 bfs as well!
Take it easy at the gym!!! I was really worried as the first thing we did in the class was skipping and I thought I might pee myself - LOL! But it was all good. Just keep practising your exercises! On my 3rd visit I'm now jogging so I promise it all gets easier...just work with your own fitness level and what your comfortable doing...
The bubbas grow so fast don't they!!! Dylans in a bonds growsuit tonight but I'm going to have to pack away his 000 ones...he's so grown out of it...I find each brand is sooo different. He was in 000 trackies and jacket today from DJ's and they had heaps of space. Although I find that while they fit him width wise he grows out of things length wise iykwim??

Caro - Yeah for Michael sleeping on his back!! I've got my bassinette propped right up on books one end. We also used to just have a folded towel under the mattress one end as well although I took it out as it left too much of a gap down the side...Yeah on the weight gain - thats great!!!
LOL at you guys not eating - thats the one thing in the day I make sure I do!!! I'm so cranky without food! hehehe.
Sorry to hear you had a rotten morning - you're right - one day at a time is all you can do - sometimes even an hour at a time when it's rotten - hehehe.

Melissa - Wow on 11 feeds!! You must be exhausted!!! Dylan has about 5-6 Bf's a day...I think 11 would do my head in! hehehe. Do you think she's snacking?? Hope the kids stay good while dh is away!! Geez - these boys have the life don't they?? My dh had a night out with the boys last night and got home at 10.30am this morning!!!

Deb - Wow at him reaching the 6kg mark!!! Dylan gets weighed next Thursday and I can't wait to see how he's growing! Sounds like you guys are going really well!

K - really must get to bed!

thanks for the reminder Kristie, I keep forgetting to prop the basinette matress up.

I must say that this gaviscon really works!! :D