Babies Born February 2008

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*

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.

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 !!!).

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!

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. :hug:

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.

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.

Hi girls,

Just a quick update; went to the CHN today and Jasper has put on a very healthy 300 g in one week!! Very happy with that. Go the Motilium...

After this visit I decided to brave town and go have a coffee at my fave bakery like I used to do before DS arrived, and luckily Jasper behaved himself very well and slept until we were home. This gave me enough confidence to plan another trip in the afternoon to my work to show him off; very exciting and I am glad I did. Very tired now though, so hopefully we both will get a decent night sleep.

Jenjams - burping is going quite well. My bbs let the milk go a little bit to fast at the letdown too, and Jasper is just getting used to regulating his sucking with the flow. He still takes in some air, so after the fast flow has subsided, I sit him upright on my lap for a couple of minutes which usually produces one or two decent burps. After that I put him back on and he usually finishes that breast without any more air intake, so I skip the burping after that. By the way; congratulations on Amber's excellent growth and weight gain! It is so reassuring to see those numbers!

Sorry girls, no time for more personals. Hopefully tomorrow better. Hope everyone will have a good night!

Hi guys!

jen - woo hoo on your little girl's weight gain and enjoy the sleep!

jacki - I don't worry too much about burping, she often seems to burp on her own when I change her anyway. I am not managing to get any sleep during the day between visitors, housework and feeding/settling the little one, although I know I should try! Glad to hear the lump is nothing serious! My breast pump arrived yest and so far it is great! I just express if one boob is really full or it she only takes one, so there is no real pattern, I just do what suits me! I already have heaps stored so DH can do a feed over the weekend and I can get some sleep!

2please - we have a canon 400D too, such a fantastic camera - we have some beautiful shots.

katkins - I have posted a few pics in the gallery. I saw some of your montage - it's beautiful! I have the same issue with feeding - I have so much milk that she gulps it down and then gets wind, and we also have the issue of her falling asleep before she takes the other boob. Usually changing her halfway through the feed seems to work, but I must try the wet face washer next time I am having trouble waking her!

prama - how are you going?

Hi to everyone else :)

How much does everyone's partners help out? My DH sleeps in the spare room so he doesn't get woken up the baby so I do all the nights on my own, except on weekends. Last night was awful - she just wouldn't settle and I have no idea why. Actually, yest was awful all day, she was so unsettled and I was worried about her dehydrating in this hot weather so I fed her more frequently than usual, but now that has destroyed any routine we had going!

We started mothers group today and it was great! So good to meet other mothers in this area and to be able to talk about the pregnancy/birth with other new mothers. I also weighted Catherine and she is a little porker! She has put on about 700g since she was born! She is a little guzzler so I am not surprised.

Bun- My DP and I equally do our bits. He has got another week off from work then I will be on my own during the days which will be very scary. He took 4 weeks off from birth. He will help with nappy changes and settling during the night. In fact he is better at wrapping Amber than me and can settle her too. I wouldnt be without him.
Catherine has done well with the weight gain too. Amber is like Catherine. She will fall asleep during a feed. I have also been told to try and tickle her feet to keep her awake. It must be so tough for you for the heat you ae having at the moment. I must prefer it a little cooler.

I have an avent manual breast pump but have not used it for a week or so. The only time my breasts get really full and hard is when Amber has the great night sleeps. But she must be getting enough during the day otherwise she wouldnt have her great gains.

I hope all bubs and mums and dads have a great sleep tonight.

Boy, I've been trying to post all day! So little time...

Jacki - Ive got so little milk. I feed bub for about 40 - 45mins then give him the bottle. That takes more than an hr. The LC said everything should take an hr, i think is if you have enough milk. She told me to express after feeding for 5-10 mins but it doesnt make any difference as I get less than 5ml. I'm trying so hard to get my supply up. So really, with bf and then ff, it takes an hr and half. Then there's so little time till the next feed.
Do you feed every 3 hrs in the day and then whenever Luke wakes up at night? DS wakes up less than 4hrs at night :( I think with bf now, cos there's so little milk he woke up in 2 hrs last night. I was soooo tired, I was very bad and asked DH to give him the bottle. I just couldnt manage. I feel guilty.....

I'm also confused about when to switch boobs. The LC said if it feels floppy and there's no lumps then you can switch cos that bob's drained. But it's always floppy and there always seems to be lumps...

After he feeds, he usually falls asleep, we just put him to sleep unless he's wide awake. then I or DH spend a little time with him. I feel so tired Ijust want to sleep but then feel guilty for not spending quality time with him.
He seems to burp ok. Yes, if he's asleep it's so hard to wake him to burp or feed.
I hold his jaw with my thumb and forefinger and slightly lift his head so that his oesophagus is straight.

Ambah - I'm using the Ameda electric one I rented from the hospital.. I'm starting to hate it!
Thanks Ambah, but I'm finding it so hard with so little milk. I wonder if it will ever increase. Should I just keep going and going? I dunno. I'm SO tired from bf-ing then bottle feeding. I so wish I get more milk :'( I dont know how long to keep trying.

Karlie - geez, some ppl! My mum wont let me take him out, except for his check-ups. We have this thing about a mnths confinement, bub and mum should rest at home for the whole month and recover. I told her Ihave to go for short walks in the evening or go crazy being stuck at home. Today, I needed to and went to get my eyebrows done. First time I've driven in 2 weeks. It was soo good being able to get behind the wheels without my preggy belly. I told my mom I need to get out even to Woollies just for a short while to break out of the routine.

Sueby - thanks.. how is everyone surviving with so little sleep??

Esme - thank you. ooh poor baby (and mum and dad), 3 hr crying stretch. hope he gets better..

Jacki - i try to get at least an hr in the day.. but that makes me more tired. i get abt 3 hrs between feeds at night, mostly less.
When do they sleep longer??

Ambah - i have a glass of water when im feeding. Bf makes me thirsty, they say it's the let down.. but still so little milk.. wahhhh


ash - hugs, i still get teary too.. it's very very tiring... the lack of sleep doesnt help. I hope the weeks go by soon and they sleep longer.

jenjams - wow, good on bub's growth spurt!!

Bun - so glad bub is putting on weight. DS is still a bit slow with his weight.. We're trying everything to get his weight up, feeding more frequently etc.

As you can already tell, I'm getting so frustrated that my milk is soo little. I dont know how long I should wait..... I'm just getting so tired.

oh - it wasnt a 20/20 match labour. i had a weird long pre-labour which i and the hossy thought was false labour. it was more like 2 day matches!

Hi everyone, its been busy in here today. Must be a good sign that we all have time (albeit very little) to have a quick break.

Bun - DH does a little bit of the work around the place but not too much. He is just so busy at work. My mum is staying with us at the moment and is such a great help. DH is in for a rude shock when she leaves.

I went to a lunch for 0 - 8 week olds at SJOG Subi today - does Murdoch offer these sessions ?? There is that one then 8 weeks to 5 months and then 5months to 12 months. It was great to hang out with ladies in the same boat today. They had volunteers looking after the bubs and just calling you into seperate room when you needed to BF. Lunch put on and 2 midwives/LC's running the session. My local 'mother group' doesn't start until 11 March so will continue with this until then.

Jen - love the photo you have attached to your ticker !

Ambah - I am really making an effort to keep drinking. Between breastfeeding and today's high of 41.5degrees I can't afford not to.

Ash - little one is coping OK with heat. I don't think they notice it as much as us. May be spending extra at the breast. We are mainly inside anyway in air con in the loungeroom so not too bad. His bedroom gets pretty warm though.

Ash - can't win can we. We have some ladies struggling with little supply and here is you with enough to feed a small nation. I am sure it will settle down soon. I remember in the hospital I was brushing my teeth and looked at the floor and both sides were leaking all over the place making such a mess. Its funny now to look back at that !

Carley - Yes the air con was fixed. There is no way I could have coped if not and definately would have moved into a hotel. DH has been banned from touching the air con again incase he breaks it again !! Also I understand how you feel when you said you get a little lonely during the day. DH is always at work and even though my mum is here I sometimes feel like I am doing all the work on my own.

Prama - I don't really have a routine as to when I feed Luke. I just feed him when he wakes and lets me know he is hungary. I would like a bit more or a routine so I can know how much time I have before he 'demands' again but it is usually somewhere between 3 and 4 hours. Glad to hear you are getting a bit of sleep at night. And remember as difficult a time you are having you are doing an amazing job !!

Luke has started to bring up a bit of milk after feeds. Is everyone experiencing this? He didn't do it at the start, seems to be a new thing. Not bothering him at all, just seems to come up, esp when I change him.

Also expressing........ it I was expressing and gathering enough for a feed that DH can do, how much (in mls) do you give bubs in one feed ??? Or should I just start expressing a little and offering it at a feed to see how he goes with jsut a bit and then the rest of the feed on the breast?? Confusing! May need to ring LC at hospital for some advice

Jacki - yes, DS has been bringing up some milk as well. the other he did a projectile but we think cos DH accidently put on a no.2 nipple on the bottle.
Do you get a lot of milk when you express?

I have a couple of Qs.

- What laundry detergent do you girls use? Do you always wash bub's clothes separately?

- is it ok not to wear a bra to bed at night. I havent got leaky boobs.

Hi Everyone! :)

Prama, we use Amolin Liquid and yes we wash bubs clothes seperatly!

Jacki, oh that lunch sounds devine, chatting with other mums whilst bubs are being looked after! There is nothing like that at all up here!! Hey there is a cyclone brewing off the Kimberley coast.lol..so there you go, you just might get some cooler weather!! :p

Carley, once my mum goes back to Perth, I know that I will be in the same boat as you, lonely after dropping DD off at school etc.

Bun, my DH is rarely home, he is out driving a truck as I speak..lol...normally he isnt but they have had a few dramas, so he hasnt seen Noah awake in two days..DD is missing him too :( Wow, 700g that Catherine has put on! Thats awesome!!

Esme, gosh Jasper has had a great weight gain too!!! Very nice!! Lovely to hear that your visit to the bakery was a success!!! I havent braved the shops yet with Noah. We are still waiting for our pram to arrive!! Hopefully by the weekend!

Jen, Amber sounds like she is doing so well!!! Gotta love a bub that likes to sleep at night!!!

Ash, I cant get over how well your bb's are doing with the bf and being so full!! You are so lucky!! Some days it feels like I have nothing!!

Ambah, fluid intake here is good I think..lol..we live in a very hot area, so I am used to guzzling water like its going out of fashion, I have a big glass full before and after a feed. Wow, 180ml expessing, thats awesome, I am lucky to get 60ml!!

Katkins, thanks for the bf tips!!! :)

2please, Noah favours his right side, he sleeps better on that side for some reason, will have to start weaning him onto the left so his head dosent look to odd..lol.. I would have freaked if I had seen a sniffing lady touch Noah! How rude of her, I dont get how people think its thier right to touch newborns when they feel like it!!

Sueby, glad to hear that the bb's have settled down, I am hearing you on the not feeling so full at night time!!

I hope I havent missed anyone!!!

All is well here, except in between 5.30- 9.30pm where Noah has his restless period...lol...talk about one frazzled mumma during that time!!!! I am feeling sorry for DD at the moment as I havent been giving her my 100%, I am trying though, hopefully I'll get it all together soon!!! Still bf'ing, which isnt going too bad, will definatly hang in there for as long as I can!!

Okay better go, time for sleep!! (if I am quick..lol)

Take care!!

Good morning everyone, hopefully everyone had a half decent night sleep... Will try to do personals today if Jasper will let me. He is asleep in the bassinet next to me, but is stirring at the moment...

Jenjams - I find it difficult to keep Jasper awake during his feeds; to start with he only drank for about 5 minutes at a time that has now improved to about 10 - 15 minutes and actually emptying one breast, but when I try to offer him the next breast, he just falls asleep and there is no waking him up. Even cold, wet washers don't work!! But, judging by his weight gain he must be getting enough, so I am not too worried.

Jacki - Jasper usually brings up some milk after a feed too; I've read in the ABA book that they do that when their stomach is too full, so I don't think it is anything to be worried about. That lunch you had sounds great! We've mothergroup starting next week provided there are enough participants (we live in a small country town).

Carley - How did you go at the MCHN appointment?

Prama - we use OMO sensitive, bubs stuff mostly separate. The last couple of nights I've slept without bra; no leakages except when feeding and so much more comfortable. I hear you on the need to get out of the house. As soon as DP is home, I get outside to feed the dogs, have a chat with my horse and a walk around the garden. Even those 5 minutes make you feel so much better!

Minky - Those restless periods are sometimes difficult to cope with, aren't they? Yesterday I put Jasper down on a towel on the couch so that he could look out of the window; that kept him quiet for a little while. Jaspers active period is from about 5 till about 9, which is lucky because DP gets to spent some time with his son when he is awake (and not just changing nappies and settling).

Bun - my DP is very handy at changing nappies, even in the middle of the night. After that the feeding and settling is up to me. DP usually does the evening shift; he keeps Jasper in the loungeroom until he goes to bed (10 -11 o'clock) so I can have a good start to the night by going to bed around 8.30 and having a few hours deep uninterupted sleep.

Katkins - thanks for that good advise on expressing the first bit of milk and feeding the rich hindmilk! Jasper is a bit colicky too, so might try that.

2please - Jasper always has his head to the right, doesn't matter if I put him on his left, he'll turn his head back the other way. The only thing that helps is if I put him during his awake time on the couch on his left with a rolled up towel behind him.

Ash - Hear you on the baby blues; last week I cried my eyes out about the smallest things! This week seems slightly better, but still more emotional than usual. Sleep deprivation doesn't help either...

Ambah - I have to keep an eye on my fluid intake too. I usually do not get thirsty until I am dehydrated, so I've got to make sure I keep drinking.

I think that that is it for the personals for now; hi to everyone else. So many people in this group; have to do a daily check to be able to keep up! We had another unsettled night last night, up with vomiting (or threatening too, but swallowing back) and wind/colick. Lucky only from 3 onwards, so I did get the chance to snatch some sleep earlier on in the night. He is soundly asleep at the moment, giving me a chance to get this posted. Might go and retire to the couch for a bit. Wish everyone a good day!

Esther

Prama - I have't expressed yet but wanted to start so have no idea how much I will get. I don't have anything to store milk in - will try to get to shops today

Minky -hope the cyclone goes no where near you in PH but would really welcome a day not in the 30s !!!

Esme - my DH takes a similar shift in the evening and depending on feeding times (which are still pretty variable) I try to get a sleep in before the next feed.

Luke's unsettled period is still pretty random. 2 nights ago it was 9 - midnight but last night he slept though that entire period and slept pretty well at night. Loves to keep me guessing !

Goodmorning (almost afternoon, lol) everyone!

Hope your nights were relatively okay and none too exhausting.
Alex was good last night, the most sleep we've had at night so far so i can't complain. He fed at 11pm, 2am, 5am, 9am and apart from his hour and a half of wakeful time between 10:30 and midnight he was up and back to sleep within forty minutes on both of our night feeds. So i'm feeling pretty good today! :dance: Was a bit unsettled with wind, but he'll have a short squeal and he's straight off back to sleep.

Jacki - If i thought it would help i'd donate my milk to my mum! LOL - she's having trouble with the twins (9wks now) and her supply at the moment and she's jealous that i've got it easy. I found a great reference for how much to be feeding/expressing for how many days old baby is but i can't find it again - will keep looking and post if i find it.
Apparently Alex should be taking about 70ml per feed atm, and ive been able to express about 100ml (from one breast). He too, is sometimes bringing up milk after feeds. Midwife that visited yesterday said it's just due to the changes in your supply etc and because often he won't recognise when he is full. So just overfeeding - unless it is causing him pain it shouldn't be too much to worry about.

Prama - I'm, well, will be using LUX flakes to wash baby's things. I don't like how strong detergent smells and the LUX flakes are fantastic. I am also washing all his things separately.
As for not wearing a bra - i have no idea. You could maybe ask Barb??

Minky - I complained so much about my leaky bb's during pregnancy because they started at sixteen weeks... next time i'll know at least it's a good thing and that it's helping me for later... Hope yours picks up soon!!!
It must be hard trying to keep up with two in general, let alone making sure your DD is not feeling deprives of your attention. I hope it gets easier for you soon. How is she enjoying her little brother?

Esme - Depending on how much i've slept before i get woken for a feed depends on how sulky i am. If im in say the middle of a sleep cycle i'll cry my way through a feed. And i'm sitting there going but i'm happy and then i'll cry some more because i'm crying in the first place!

With storing breast milk, can you freeze just standard bottles??
I ended up with about 25 bottles that i just won't use and thought i could use some of them???

Goodmorning to everyone else!

Quick one else I wont have a chance

I find Lux Flakes make the clothes looking dull.
I prefer sleeping w/o a bra as im not leaking at the mo but not sure if it will cause problems.

be back later