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Mason doesnt actually feed on the breast for longer than 5 minutes so I just give him 100ml of expressed breast milk in a bottle.
I think I was worrying about nothing. My breasts feel flat and empty but I still manage to express 80 mls from each breast at a time. I hope thats good? I just brought some aktavite too.
Caro, if only I had 2 mins to read your journal! Ill try this arvo
Hi!
Anyone using dummies yet?? I think we're going to give it a try tonight if he doesn't settle to well...
I'm sooo tired - went food shopping tonight and have finally finished tidying up the kitchen/house.
Melissa - Thanks!!
Iona - Welcome!!
Dylans going well...I think the sleep deprivation is finally starting to take it's toll! Lol. Hopefully I'll get a bit more tonight.
Chat tomorrow!
Kristie: I was so "anti-dummy", but the first night we were home, Mason cried all night, so I had to give him one.
Now he only has it if he doesnt settle in the middle of the night.
Hi!
Kristie - Matias is using the dummy now and then - usually when I need a break and I can't comfort him because of Alex or cooking dinner or whatever, I plug him and it seems to keep him amused for a bit. Trying to keep him from sleeping with it in, so if he drops off I pull it out.
Everthing is going well though. He is a bit spotty at the moment,but I think its just my hormones causing them and nothing too serious. We have another MCHN visit on thursday so she can check them out.
Hope you all are looking after yourselves.:)
Hi All,
I have mastitis, so not feeling great but the antibiotics have kicked in already. Olivia is going great, she is so much more alert and I can work out her cries now. She was weighed yesterday and had put on 250gms in 6 days and has also grown alot. Shes now 3.25kgs and 50cm long, which is great.
We use the dummy to settle her as well, but not all the time, shes a bad sucker so has trouble keeping it in her mouth!!
Still looking for prams... either the valco or the beema, but the beema doesnt come with todler seat (coz we want another baby and reasonably close together!!!)
Just want something easy to fold and light weight....Kristie, is the valco easy to manage?
Anyway, got washing to do. Hope you are all well.
Love Melissa
I have started using a dummy occasionally. iggy is a comfort sucker and will suck his fingers or clothes otherwise. he feeds really well n it helps distract him especially during changing etc or when he is trying to pass wind so i am pretty happy using him.
my biggest problem at the moment is nappies. i cant seem to keep him dry. when he pees it always goes through to his clothes. i thought it was the type of nappy i was using (eenies) but then in desperation tried huggies this morn n the same thing. anyone else having this trouble? i think it is cos he is a newborn - although not that small.
Grr just pressed the wrong button and lost my post....
Had an ok night - he's basically feeding 2 hourly which is a bit testing. Dh got up with Louis though this morning so I got 2 hours straight sleep. Used the dummy a bit - he's not too keen but I think he'll get the hang of it soon.
Melissa - Sorry to hear about the mastitis - hope it clears soon...Yeah, I find the valco great! It's not too heavy and easy to get up and down. We've just attached the toddler seat but it's not looking quite right so we've got to get it checked out!
Krysalyss - Hmm I know Dylans leaked out of his huggies a couple of times but I think thats cos his cords still there so it's hard to get it firm around his tummy. They're just so little I think they end up with little spots that it can leak out. I can only suggest to make sure you've got it up as high as you can and the leg elastics are all flicked out - don't know if that makes sense...
K - better dash...
Krysalyss - Have you tried making sure his penis is centred before you do up the nappy. I have found if its over to the side, its more likely to leak out of the nappy.
Kristie - these are the tough days! So physically demanding getting up and down and feeding all night as well as the usual day. Hang in there! Great DH is helping you.
Melissa . poor you with mastitis. I hope you feel better soon, it is terribly painful I remember from last time. Can't help with prams. We have a Teutonia but its not so light - its designed for Scandanivian winters I guess. I have started using a retro Brio pram which is enormous for walks with Matias. I bought a toddler set which goes on top and Alex sits on that. The 3 of us went for a trip into town on the train yesterday and it worked well.
Hi!
Well, we had a great night last night - I went to bed at 8.30 and he didn't wake until after 11am for a feed and then 3.30 and then 7.30!! Wow - what a difference a good nights sleep makes - I hope he can keep this up. All of a sudden he's going 3-4 hours between feeds! Woohoo!
However, I won't speak to soon as I'll probably jinx it! hehe.
Deb - Wow on going into town on the train! We went to the shops and that was a bit traumatic! LOL. I'm sure it will all get easier of course although I'm a bit scared of doing things on my own.
Caro - Sorry to hear your having a rough time. They do say when they sick up it's not as much as it looks...I know it's a really common thing with babies to sick up all the time. Dylan is straight after a feed - actually anytime really - but it's not very much.
I was feeding through the night with a boob out the first few nights but have stopped that now as I find it way to draining...I ended up stretching him out with the dummy and I think my milks a bit more in now. We haven't had to use the dummy since which is great.
Dylan doesn't want to sleep in his bassinette really either. We've got him in the bouncer which your not really supposed to do but while it's working we'll keep it up. We're going to keep trying with the bass though...
Remember as well - you're now 4 weeks into sleep deprivation! Everything is always worse when your tired! Hang in there - I'm sure it will get better soon!
Hi Guys,
I finally found you (and have a few minutes to myself to post!). I have just caught up on all your news and it's great to hear that overall everyone is managing ok.
I know I won't have time for personals now, but a quick update on Ben and I....
We have been doing pretty well. Ben has recovered a lot faster from the birth than me. All his nasty bruising has gone and the the skin on the back of his head where the suction came off has almost healed. I had a few breastfeeding issues as well with major engorgement, but that has settled in the last few days (my breasts are now a lot softer, but there is plenty of milk - I have to have a spare cloth nappy on the boob I am not feeding on to mop up all the milk that leaks everywhere). I am very lucky in that respect. Ben still doesn't attach properly on one side so I have booked in for a bf clinic for the day to try to get some more expert tips. I feed him lying down in bed overnight which works really well.
Ben is feeding about every 3-3 1/2 hrs with a few extra top ups during the day sometimes. He is a guts and put on 500g at his 2 week weigh in! He is going to be a little fatty if he keeps going this way! He hs a lot of alert time during the day (and at night sometimes too!!!!), but luckily is a very settled baby. He obviously gets a fair bit if reflux, but somehow copes fairly well with it.
As for me, it is taking a bit longer....a short walk down the road (10mins) still takes its toll and I have to remind myslef that it hasn't even been 3 weeks yet. It feels like everything is going to fall out (a strong feeling of pressure/aching down below). I ended up with a urine infection last week which I think set me back a little too. I hated taking anti biotics but didn't have a choice.
So that is my story so far. I am so glad I know where this thread is to keep in touch with everyone. I have been wanting to post for ages now....didn't want you all to think I had forgotten you now that Ben is here! I hope to be able to post again soon.....
Hi!
Sarah - Sounds like you guys are doing so well! Don't be too hard on yourself - it can take some time to recover! Sorry to hear about the uti - not nice at the best of times you poor thing. Glad Ben's feeding well! Yeah on the weight gain - thats great!
We're going well today - Dylans nice and settled which is great. I've actually got 5min to myself to read a mag which is nice! lol. (although it is a parenting one - hehe)
I think I could be on the biggest loser - I've lost 7kg this week! LOL!!! (I just won't tell them I had a baby! hehe) Only 4kg to go to my pre p/g weight and then 5kg more to lose until I'm happy! hehehe.
Catch up later!
Hi Ladies
Glad to hear everyone is coping so well.
I have a breast feeding/sleeping problem, hoping someone can give me some advice.
It seems during the day Kaan sleeps about 4hrs between feeds but then at night wants to wake up every two hours. The maternal nurse visited on Tuesday and said that i have to give him one breast and let him fully drain it and then offer the second breast. But he always falls asleep after the first breast. I do strip him down to his nappy to wake him up - but still he rejects the second breast. So then i have one full breast and one empty one - which is uncomfortable. Apparently all the good stuff (milk) is at the end and thats why you have to drain it.
Then my sister told me, she was told to have them on each breast for 10 mins and then change, i tired this last night and he slept for 3 and then 4 hrs between feeds. Not to sure which way to do it now, i have ALOT of milk and have expressed (he doesnt like the bottle much).
Oh and he has put on 500 grams in 6 days - so i know he is getting enough.
I guess i would rather him to sleep 3 and 4 hrs at night, rather then 2 - but as long as he is getting a good feed.
Any suggestions??
Hi!
Sammy - I would definitely let him drain the breast rather than swapping after a certain time...I feed Dylan one side then change his nappy to wake him up and then go back on the other side...he never fully drains the second side but I just feed him that side first next feed. He may just have his day and night not sorted yet in regards to waking up 2 hourly overnight and then sleeping through the day. I try and make sure Dylan has some awake time through the day and a little stimulations and then it's all quiet and dark at night (no noise/tv). We did that with Louis and he worked out day from night pretty quickly.
But - you need to do whats right for you...everyone will tell you something different, thats just what we do...
Dylans been good today...he's having a bit of trouble bringing up his wind and so not going down to easily. Poor little munchkin - looks like he has a bit of a tummy ache...
Gotta run - off for Louis swimming lesson...
Hi girls, I am finally catching up online so thought I'd seek you out!
My boy, Ben is six days old - in fact this time last week I was in labour! He's doing so well - sleeping four or five hours at a time and feeding really well when he wakes up. We had a reasonabally rough labour and he was suctioned out in the end, but his head has completely healed now and you would never know. He had a touch of jaundice, but it cleared up with bfing and a bit of (indirect) sunlight. He got weighed today and has put on a little weight which is good.
I keep thinking about the hospital and how disappointed I was with my brief stay. My midwife was fantastic and the doc and other mw who ended up helping with the birth were really good too, it's only once I got up to the ward where things fell apart. I was forgotten about and on my first night I didn't see the mw at all, even though Ben was unsettled for quite some time (I know I could have buzzed if it got too bad, but I didn't really want to do that for some reason). At 5am, the midwife came in and actually told me that they thought my room was empty! I wanted to go home anyway on Early Discharge, but that confirmed I'd made the right decision. I'm just so glad that Ben didn't have any problems and I didn't completely freak out. After such good care during pregnancy and labour, I was really disappointed and was so glad to go home the next day.
Anyway, Ben, DH and I are doing good. We went for a nice long walk today with the dog and Ben slept the entire time LOL
That's it for now, I'm looking forward to getting to know you all and swapping stories, I don't really know any mum's IRL.
Hi!
Disgirl - So glad everythings going so well for you! That walk sounds great - I think I'll have to get out of the house today for a walk!
I can totally relate to the hospital stay - I was exactly the same with my first. For some reason I didn't want to press that buzzer! For some reason I thought I should be able to do it all on my own and not need to. The second night I was so tired and upset though that I pressed and they offered to take him out for a few hours so I could get some sleep - of course this just made me feel miserable and like I was a "bad mum".
That is terrible that they thought the room was empty though...! Just not good enough.
I'm so glad you're all settled in at home though!
Hi!
Caro - So glad that everythings ok with Michael - wow on that weight gain - thats fantastic! I can understand you were worried after he was losing some...
You poor thing dropping your ebm...I would have been upset as well!
We had a great night last night - he woke twice for a feed and then dh let me have a lie in this morning so I got my 8 hours! He's quite unsettled today with his tummy - but I assume it's almost the same situation as Caro's little Michael - he's having soo much milk it just takes a while for it to all settle down. He's finally down for a sleep so hopefully he has a good one now...
Hope you're all going well with your little bubbas! I can't believe Dylans 1 week already! The time goes sooo fast - enjoy your little bubbas because trust me, before you know they will be running around!
hey guys, we have had 2 great nights in a row. I let Dh sleep in til 12:30 today and I actually enjoyed doing the dishes, the washing, the bottles etc.
My milk seems to be fine, and I am taking fenugreek and aktavite just in case. I try to express each time he has a feed and get about 100ml each time.
We see the MCHN on Tuesday so hope he has continued to put on weight. Mason also lost more than 10% of his birth weight in the first couple of days too.
Hi!
Yeah Danni - Glad you're having a great time of it all!
We had the mchn come out today and Dylans put on 220g in 3 days!!! So he's now 3.48 kg!! At least I know I've got heaps of milk - lol!
thats great kris!! Must catch up soon :D
Hi girls,
Mati is doing well. MCHN visited yesterday and he is 4.7kgs now, meaning he has gained a kilo since birth 3.5 weeks ago. He is a strong little fellow and even smiled for her! But he is very spotty, he has bout of baby acne caused by my hormones in the breastmilk.
I have been demand feeding. I took some notes today and could see there is a pattern. He feeds for 5minutes then wants a burp. Does another 5 minutes and wants a burp. Then feeds for about 20 minutes until he is nearly asleep. Then I burp him, change his nappy and offer the other side. He does the same again. So the whole feeding process takes at least an hour. Then he has a little time awake on the mat or in the pram or wherever I am. Has a sleep, Then he's up again usually within 3 hours from the start of the last feed to do it over again. :rolleyes:
He sleeps from about 7pm - 12am. The is awake on and off most of the morning until 4am when he finally feels like sleeping again. My other son wakes at 5am. So I am absolutely knackered here. Its a pretty demanding schedule but its all worth it for a happy healthy baby! Now wheres my pillow :)
Hi!
Wow Deb - what a routine!! We don't have anything at the moment of course...although he's a greedy little guts and feeding quite quickly - through the night if he settles ok I can have him fed and back into bed in about 1/2 hour - but mostly it's taking up to an hour also.
I gave him a big feed this morning and he proceeded to do 2 projectile vomits all over me. Of course 5min later he was looking for more - Lucky I've got heaps of milk at the moment! lol. Finally he's gone back to sleep. I also seem to get him back to sleep for him to do poos and then I have to resettle him all over again. The joys hey? hehe.
Omg at Alex being up at 5am - that would kill me! Louis is up at 7am and thats early enough - I've been making dh get up to him though if I'm in the middle of Dylans sleep which has been helpful but will only last another week until dh goes back to work unfortunatley...
K,better run!
awful night last night :( Mason barely slept a wink and he is still awake. I dont know how to settle him for longer than 5 minutes. I am exhausted, have a huge migraine and visitors are about to arrive
arghhhhhh :(
Awww Danni - big hugs! It can be soooo hard! Dylan was like that last night but luckily he fell asleep with me on the couch for a while...
I think they end up so overtired that they end up fighting the sleep...
Hope you get him settled soon...and hope your visitors don't stay too long! lol!
Hi girls,
Hope you don't mind if I join you all. This is the first chance I've had to check out this thread and it sounds like I'm on track with Lily! We've had a few sleepless nights, though I really can't complain from reading some of your posts. She usually sleeps for at least three hours at a time, though usually four.
My main problem at the moment is Breast feeding. I had issues with my birth which also caused issues with my b/f and I am lagging a little behind in that area. I am on medication to stimulate milk, but I think it is working too well and my boobs are engorged. Lily can't latch on properly because they're so hard, but when I express I can only get about 40ml from each side. I am also using breast shields as I can't get her to latch on properly and she's created big sores on my nipples, which in turn is causing blocked ducts. So now I'm worried about mastitis....oh the joys!
Anyway must go my princess is waking up for a feed :) Lets see how we go this time....
Kellie.
Hi!
Kel - good to see you hear...sorry to hea ryour having dramas with bf...sorry I don't have any advice...hope you can sort it all out soon - do you have to keep taking the meds?
Dylans been a good boy today settling and sleeping well and now we're out for dinner so I'm expecting to have a rough night after he gets passed around to everyone. So won't be a late one as I'm soooo tired!
Chat later...
Hey kellie-- I started taking Fenugreek and Aktavite and my milk is great...but no engorgement. Maybe you can try them rather than the meds??
My nipples had a lot of swelling behind them and Mason couldn't latch on properly either, so I feel your pain. And the nipple shields are a real pain!
Thanks Caro, I have seen a LC and she is coming back tomorrow to see us. I have been told about Karitane day stays and they are just around the corner from me, so I will see how we go for today. The LC said she's a bit lazy and has a bad sucking action, though I think she's getting it slowly. Sometimes I think it is because Lily gets so agitated and seems so hungry she just gets cranky and can't latch on well- she scratches me and waves her arms about and arches her back. Once she's had half a feed and I change her nappy I can usually get her on ok and during this part I don't use the shields to try to toughen up my nipples. My boobs are less full today thankfully so she has been able to get on better and we had a whole feed without shields- wooohooo! I do have to take the meds until finished and come off slowly, or so the dr says, I have a few more days on them then I'm on my own. Luckily for me though she sleeps really well (knock on wood!) at night- for about 3 1/2hrs at a time so feeding isn't getting to me too much- I haven't cried over it for a few days now, LOL. I think I have some blocked ducts, does anyone know how to unblock them? (TMI warning!) Since I have kind of scabs on them, I think when they are healing they are getting blocked, I don't want to get mastitis after what I've been through with bf!
I can't believe that some of you are going out! I can't do much else other than feed, change, settle, and tidy up! THe other day I even forgot to have a shower for myself until my DH asked if I'd had one, hehehe! I don't think I could co ordinate an outing just yet!
Anyway ladies must go hang out some washing...happy Sunday! (It is Sunday today isn't it????....LOL)
Kel.
Hi!
Kel - Sounds like things are on the improve for you - hopefully over the next week or two it will get even better!
On the topic of going out - I don't recommend it!
We had a terrible night last night going to dinner. Dylan was an angel and slept for ages but Louis was a terror running around and was so tired and cranky. Then dinner took over 2 hours + to come out (it was a banquet) so we ended up leaving without even getting all our dinner. I fed dylan in the car and then ran into say goodbye and in that time he projectile vomited all over dh. Like - all down his shirt and soaked his jeans...
Anyway,we got home and luckily he slept well all night - went about 3-4 hourly anyway...I'm so tired from being out though - It's my b'day in a few weeks so I've decided everyone can come around and I'll order pizzas - lol!!! No going out and no real tidying up!!
Hope your enjoying your sundays - I haven't been able to settle Dylan since this morning so hopefully he'll sleep better this afternoon...
oh wow-- we are all opposites! Mason slept beautifully last night but we did all go to bed at 8:30! Yes 8:30!
kellie: the day stay is great! I did that on the day I was discharged from hospital and I learnt a lot. Hopefully they can help you. But I certainly can sympathise with the waving of the arms, and the arched head! Mason gets too cranky when he is hungry too
Hi all
sorry i have been mia, but was recovering from mastitis. today is my last day on antibiotics, but I am affraid to say that while my right side has come good, the left is now all lumpy and sore and I feel fluy:( so if i still feel like this tomorrow, its off to the docs AGAIN!!
Olivia is 4 weeks old today, shes much more alert and is staying awake more during the day... I cant settle her at the minute, so sorry to cut this short. Take care
Love Melissa
Hi!
Danni - Glad you got a good nights sleep! I just got about 1 1/2 hour nap on the couch while the kids were both asleep - bliss! I feel so much better now!
Melissa - So sorry to hear about the mastitis - I so hope you don't get it again! Wow at Olivia being 4 weeks already!! It's amazing how quickly they change and grow!
Well, Dylans back asleep! we've been so lucky that most of his unsettled times are during the day!
K - Off to start preparing dinner while he's asleep! Hope your all well!
glad you managed a nap Kris!
We are off to bed now!
Sweet dreams Danni!
I'm off to bed now as well...
Morning girls!
Kellie, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with BFing Lily. I think it's fantastic that you are sticking with it though - especially after what you went through after the birth. Hopefully the LC will be a big help.
Danni, there's nothing wrong with going to bed at 8:30! We have to sleep when we can! :)
Melissa, ouch on the mastitis. Hopefully the next course of antibiotics will help clear it up.
Kris, Ben has changed his patterns a bit in the past few days and seems to have his unsettled time during the day now too - thank goodness! We had a really bad night on Thursday night and again on Friday night, but the past two nights have been fantastic and I feel human again. DH and I are going to venture off to the mall today.
Ben went for his first outing in the hug-a-bub on Friday and LOVED it. We went grocery shopping and he was looking around for the first three aisles and then fell asleep and didn't wake up until we were home. I can't tell you how glad I am he loves the HAB!!!
Great news about the HAB! Im too scared to use mine as Mason has a habit of swinging his head around violentally to look at everyone/everything and Im worried he wont be able to do that in the HAB so he will get upset??
Guys,
Am I right in saying out of all the babies born in April, there is only 2 girls? Cindy and Shells bubs??
Hi!
aagghh - we had a pretty ordinary night and are having a pretty rough day. I quickly raced out with Louis and have done the food shopping and dh said Dylan was unsettled the whole time I was gone! I've now fed him and put him down so hopefully he has a biggish sleep so I can too!
Disgirl - It's amazing how good you feel after a decent sleep - I feel great if I get 3 hours in a row at night lol!
I've got a baby carrier thing but I worry about his little neck at this early stage. I never used it that much with Louis but will definitely need to use it with Dylan...
Danni - Hmm not sure about how many girls...There are soooo many boys though! We're going to have to raise them well as there will be a fight on when their older! LOL!
K - going to try and lie down...
It seems ages since I've been on here and i've just caught up with all of your experiences. Glad to hear that you are all travelling well with your little ones.
Luke is sleeping well but we have our off nights at least once a week, where he won't settle for at least a couple of hours. BFing is going well except sometimes when he first latches on it hurts but then it's fine once he starts feeding. Not sure if I should go see a LC for it but am off to the baby clinic next week so may mention it to them.
Well better get going as have dishes and washing to do...
Hi!
We had an interesting afternoon - first of all Dylan explosively pooed and it came out so fast that it hit our bedroom door and ran down to the carpet - gross! Then after I'd cleaned that up he vomited up his whole feed...grrr! You have to laugh about it really though...I hope I'm not eating stuff to make him upset though....
Iona - Glad you're going so well! Sounds like Luke is a dream! Dylan hurts me when he first goes on the boob as well - I think it's because he has a super suck on him! I think as long as it doesn't hurt the whole feed it's ok...??? Not sure though...
Hope you got a rest in Kristie.
Mats is going really well, feeding and sleeping. He loves rides in the pram and the car, guaranteed to put him to sleep. I have been using the Baby Bjorn periodically, but never for long stretches (ie more than half and hour) and he seems happy to be in there. I am up and down for 3 hourly feeds at night, he is still a bit unsettled in the early hours of the morning.
I had a painful breast yesterday, I presume a blocked duct. And was a bit feverish during the night, but I put him on that breast for nearly every feed and massaged it a bit while feeding so he could unblock it. Seems to have worked because I don't feel the same pain today.
Better go, duty calls.