Babies Born February 2008

[cheekymonkey]

Hi girls,

I'm back after a short hospital stay (similar problems to you I think Esme) Turns out Reuben was so starving due to my lack of milk supply that his heart rate was a bit low and I finally got put on motilium and I am currently topping him up also. He is doing better and gaining weight. He still gets distressed and pulls off the breast during some feeds (which in turn distresses me) and it takes about 2 hrs from when I feed him for him to go back to sleep which only gives him an hours sleep (and me an hours break) before his next feed. Does anyone else have this trouble? Is it just a stage?

[katkins]

hi girls,
I am by no means an expert on Bf'ing. This is the first time I have had success. And I'm having problems atm too. Bry attatches and the let down is so strong, he gets a full feed worth in 5 mins. He has to gulp to keep up with the flow and he's swallowing air so he's then in pain for ages afterwards. I have been told to express off 50mls before attatching him to each breast. That will mean he's getting the hindmilk which flows slower and is lower in lactose (lactose ferments and causes lots of wind which adds to his pain). So my feeding is going to take longer, but will hopefully mean less time trying to burp and settle. Last night it took us 3 hrs of him screaming in pain due to wind both ends. Poor bubs.
Also, try feeding bubs, burping and changing nappy in the middle of feeds when he/she needs to wake up again, then other boob. Opening the nappy is usually enough to wake up bub. If not, a damp face cloth rubbed over their hair works well.
Storm brewing, beter go.
Hope that helps someone..... As I said, I'm by no means an expert and am having small probs myself.
I hope everything settles for everyone *hugs*

[2 please]

Jackie & Sue, I bought a new cannon camera 400 D. With Tara I took around 2 photos a week so I could see the changes in her over the year. It was one of the best things I have done. I had a look yesterday and found the photo which was at the same time as Jake. Gee they look simular. In one year I filled 1 photo album.

Has anyone had any problems with baby laying his head to one side more than the other? Jakes head is a little flatter to one side than the other. I find everytime I moves his head to the otherside hes sneeks it back the other way while im not looking.

[Jacki]

Morning ladies (more like afternoon for most of you over East !) Hope last night wasn't too trying for you all.

We didn't have too bad a night once Luke settled.

Amber - we seem to be having the same issue as you with Bub's unsettled period being between around 9.00 and midnight !!! Usually DH is on that shift and lets me sleep

Sue - I like the look of those BF tops. I have been trying to get one for ages but shops seem to always be sold out. I think KMart also stock them so will have to keep trying. I have a Loveable one that I use - but the entire front folds down exposing one breast. I use this for night times.

Karlie - We have been trying to take photos but somehow time just disappears and another day over. Will have to make more of a conscious effort to make sure we take regular photos. Im sure this time will pass so quickly and we will forget everything.

Kerrie - thanks for the advice re BF - I just can't figure out if I am doing the right thing or not. Maybe I am letting DS stay on too long and letting him use me as a dummy. He doesn't seem to be a slow feeder and I certainly have plenty of milk.

How is everyone doing with burping bubs. I have read not to persevere too long trying to get up wind as sometimes they simply don't need to. I try and get one after first breast and not too worried after offering second side..... what's everyones approach ???

Also, how much sleep is anyone managing to get through the day - if any ?

Hot day in Perth today - 39 degrees and now signs of it cooling down. We need another cyclone up north to cool things down (sorry Minky !!!).

[Ambah]

Just a quick one from me!

Re BF tops - Target are having a clearance sale on last seasons clothes atm, and yesterday I picked up a BF top for only $8! Its really quite nice too. I had to browse many racks of messy clothes to find it though...

2 please (are you Karlie?, sorry, trying to work out names!) - thats awful about the woman touching Jakes leg... how intrusive!
Eva is also preferring to lay her head to one side, although I haven't noticed it being any flatter on that side (yet!)

Jacki - with burping, I generally only try for a minute or two. I usually find that Eva will burp later on, when being moved/changing positions etc. Luckily wind doesn't seem to be causing her too much distress atm.

Kerrie - thanks for the tips! Esp regarding the lactose, I didn't know that!

Sue - hope you have a better night tonight hon..

Esme - hope your CHN appt goes well!

General question - how are you all going with your fluid intake when BF? I am really worried that I am not drinking enough, and may be dehydrating myself, although my supply is ok... I don't feel excessively thirsty, but I always seems to have a mild headache, and feel that I am barely drinking enough to cover the milk I am making... I should really put more effort in I think, or I will regret it!

Anyway, better make it into the shower today whilst I can!

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Okay, i think i have decided personals in this thread is going to be one heck of a task! There's so many of us!

Jen - Woohoo on the long sleeps! That sounds excellent, although a little unfortunate for your bbs. Hopefully she keeps it up and they can get used to it too.

Jacki - great to hear the good news about your lump! Good on you for braving the public BF - it may not have happened but you've taken the first step. I don't think i'll ever get that far, my bbs are too big for a tiny lil bubba's head to hide, LOL! As for sleep, i could be getting two lots of 2.5 hrs but i find it really difficult to fall asleep knowing there's things i *could* be doing as well. So i normally get a good two or three hour sleep after DF leaves for work and then stay up the rest of the day. I've only been home three days though so who knows how long it will last.

Carley - I absolutely adore your DS name. It's so unique, i love it!

Kelly - it's good to hear that your supply is getting better - sorry can't help you with your questions, but i do hope Reuben's feeding gets better for your soon.

Ambah - sounds like you're doing a fantastic job persevering with the breastfeeding!! The sidecar cot sounds like a good idea. I've got Alex in a bassinet next to the bed, which works well, but i'm still a little bit sore getting up and down and it sits a lot higher than the bed does... i might even try that with our cot.

Karlie - OMG i would have been furious!!! Where do some people get off thinking that it's ok to just touch other people's babies and children? And especially if she's sick - i bet she'd have been horrified were it her child. i swear some people just don't think! I hope you and your family start to feel better soon.

Sue & Esme - thanks for your congratulations.

Katkins - Thanks I know it'll take a while to settle down, and that all the changes are good i just like to have a whinge, lol! Also, thanks for sharing your BF advice, will have to sticky note it somewhere for a bit further down the track!

Prama - how are things going for you hun? You are doing such a fantastic job - i bet you will feel so good when things start improving!!!

Well in the hope i haven't missed anyone, i'll do a quick update... and by quick, im sorry i talk a lot!
Alexander has been pretty good at home so far. I'm going a bit batty with his irritable time / cluster feeds because it starts around 4:30am. I think i don't mind it so much, i'm getting more upset by it because it means DF is not getting much sleep & doesn't have the opportunity to steal a nap during the day, so i kind of feel guilty. I am slowly convincing myself that it's ok - my body's recovering from nine months worth of 'weird' and labour was hard work. And i need to be rested so that we he crashes i can do it alone.
Haven't so far had any issues with breastfeeding as such. Did have a blister on my right nipple, which was making me a bit teary when he fed, but enough air when not feeding and fixing his attachment has helped and it's mostly healed up.
With regards to supply: My left breast seems to think it's a tap. It's getting to the point i think i'm going to have to feed him solely on that side and just express enough off the right to be comfortable. I have been completely soaking through three breastpads during a feed on the right side, and then ill soak through another two (at the least) in between feeds - even if he has fed off the left side. I've gotten to the point where im going to chop up a few maternity pads because the breastpads just aren't doing the job! It's also making him lazy when he's on the left breast because he really doesn't have to suck.
He has also taken to the bottle pretty well - at the moment i'm not worried about expressing reducing my supply so i guess the bonus of being so leaky is that i'll get a good store for when it all regulates a little better - and then DF will be able to do some feeds for me.
Baby Blues, haha, i'm the weepiest little thing when DF gets home from work at night. But i think we're going ok!

Sorry for long rambles... hoping everyone is feeling well and semi-rested today.

[jenjams]

We went to the maternal health nurse today. Amber has put on 190 grams in a week. She has grown 2.5cm since birth and her head is 2cm bigger. Not bad for a 2 week old. Seeing as she is healthy I can keep letting her sleep for as long as she wants during the night. Just makes my bb's harder. I am wearing 2 breast pads during the night and they have not leaked for a bit. I still must be getting decent milk supply though.

Ash- Sounds like you are doing great. My first few days home from hospital were bad. I got the baby blues a bit and was worried about everything. Slowly things are getting better.

Ambah- I am trying to drink a lot of water but it seems to have dropped off a bit. When I first got home from hospital, my apptite was non existant. It is now getting better. I am still trying to drink though.

Jacki- I am not sleeping during the day but that is because I am getting decent enough sleep at night... That could change at the drop of the hat though. How are you coping with the heat? How does the little one cope with the heat?

Esme- How did the appointment go? How is the constant burping going?

Karlie- How rude of some people to disregard yours and Jakes health. They should stay away from newborns if they are sick.


Hello to everyone else I missed and hope you are having a great day.