Babies Born June 2007 #4

[teepee2]

Hi all

Great to hear from you Charly. Just wondering where you got the info on signing. It sounds like a great idea.

Sarah in regards to solids, I know its really a matter of personal preference, but our paed explained that although most doctors recommend starting at 6 months because of allergies, the occurance of allergic reactions at 6 months is no less than it is at 4 months so he said that there is really no longer the necessity or benefit in waiting as they once thought - I suppose each doctor varies in opinion too like with most things. I personally probably would have waited too if Mikayla was feeding better.

[Feathertop]

Hi all, sorry have been busy ++ recently. Angus has (I think) decided to have a growth spurt, so yesterday I had to feed him at 7, 10, 12 noon, 1pm, 2.30, 4.30, 7 and 10.15!!! Two of the feeds were an hour long too!!! And he had only 3 short catnaps (longest 40 mins). He is currently sleeping which he rarely does during the day so perhaps he's using it for growing time. How many times a day are other babies feeding now?

Also out of interest, how many of us are continuing to exclusively BF? Just interested as a friend of mine is currently questioning her ability to BF (re enough milk) and thought about changing to formula.

Jen - glad to hear you'll be seeing the dr re babies weight gain. You've probably got nothing to worry about but it is reassuring to hear the experts say it too. Angus went through a bad time weight wise in the first 4 weeks and didn't get back to birth weight until 5 wks old after lots of extra BF's and waking him to feed. Now he's going along nicely - last time he was weighed he was still on the 25th percentile but his rate of gain was fine so nobody was worried. Perhaps it will be the same for you!

Oops, I hear a snork, time to go, hope you are all well and happy!

[~Debbie~]

Fi, i am probably one of the last people to give advise, but, your friend, i would encourage her to stick to bf if she feels thats where she wants to go. If she wants to do top up feeds with formula, or, replace 1 or 2 feeds with formula then tell her to make sure she expresses as well, when giving the formula, as her milk will dry up. This may increase her supply. She can try fenugreek as well. Also, try expressing after every feed. She may also feel that she doesnt have enough, where as, bubs may just be getting better at sucking, and therefore not take as long to feed. Bubs might also just be having a growth spurt, so, if she wants to continue to 100% b/f, then she has to keep at it. My biggest mistake i think in b/f, was doing the top up feed. I possibly still would of ended up with mastitis, but, maybe i might of got a little further along before i gave up.

[Celsie]

Feathertop - I'm probably at the same stage as your friend. I feel that I'm starting to struggle to keep up with BF during the day. I do give him a bottle of formula each day, which he takes 200mls, so I do worry if he's getting enough. I know he'd go back to sleep and be happy even if he was only 75% full. He's just so easy going, I know he's probably thinking, "Nah, I won't complain to mummy..." LOL

Let me know what she decides. I know I'm really feeling guilty with even thinking of switching him to formula. I know it's not a bad thing, but I just can't help feeling how I do, IYKWIM?

Celsie. xoxox

[Starfish]

I am still exclusively breastfeeding. There are days when I question my supply (I ran out of EBM last week, so had to do some extra expressing for a day or two), but overall it is working out. I think that in general breastfeeding is much easier that formula feeding (not that I've tired ff, but it sounds complicated what with having to mix exact amounts, etc), so I am going to try and keep it up as long as possible. I joined the ABA today, so will hopefully be able to call on their support if and when I need it (although I think that you can call them and get advice even if you're not a member).

[~Debbie~]

Celsie - i know how you are feeling. It was a tough decision for me to make, i felt like a complete failure as a mum. The emontional pain of making that decision to stop b/f, was as painful as the mastitis it self. It took me a while to come to terms with it. The fact that Aiden is still happy as, made no difference to his state of mind, that helped alot. Even now, i have moments of regret, and failure, but, get over it.
I give full credit to those that stick to it. I applaude you all. I intended to, i just couldnt.
Zofia - sometimes, ff is a pain, but, also, i feel alot freer in that i dont have to stress over the fact that Aiden is due for a feed right when i will be at the shops, or, at someones house. I was very self concious and hated b/feeding out and about. I feel more 'myself' and more flexable i guess.

[Charlyfrog]

Feathertop & Celsie - Firstly, it could help to take a multi vitamin like elevit or blackmores pg & bf gold (I take this one and I do notice when I have skipped a couple of days mainly in being lethargic etc) and in one of the parenting books I have, I read that it is possible to test whether there is a milk supply problem and ideas to help increase the supply.
Apart from lots of external forces ie are you too busy? apparently if you are on the pill? are you drinking enough? Are you eating well? (not dieting too soon??) To see whether there is a low milk supply you can try adding an extra feed or two and you should notice after a few days to a week an increase in supply. Once your milk seems to be more sufficient and it works for you and baby, you can drop a feed or two again.

The book also talks about a 4 day test where after each bf you can offer anywhere between 20 to 60mls of formula (on top of the bf) and then express your milk for around 10mins per side. You are supposed to keep track of how much extra you are producing and if this added stimulation doesn't increase your supply and you've exhausted everything else then it could indicate an insufficient milk supply. Or your milk supply increases because of the pumping, which will become apparent by either milk expressed or bubby not wanting the extra formula after the bf. (apparently an electric pump is more effective at this time than a manual)

Imo, if you are at all concerned re: milk production it may not hurt to chat to a lactation consultant who can work with you through this and therefore give you all the info you need and so make the best decision for both you and bubby, whether that be persevering with bf or changing to formula.

Of course I'd encourage you to persevere as some things can be worked out however, I wouldn't discount formula if it meant the sanity and good health of both baby and mummy coz if mummy isn't happy, then neither is the rest of the family and it just isn't worth it! My friend had to give up bf and really struggled with it as well but oh my goodness! She is so much more relaxed now and her bubby is happy and healthy and all is well in her world. Imo (again! ) to change to formula for the sake of baby and mummy is actually being a fabulous mummy and putting baby first..............not being a failure at all!!!!! OKeedokee Debbie??? xx

I really hth some!!

Teepee2 - I actually got the signing info in the back of a parenting book I have. There were probably about 10 or so simple signs but you can get books etc with more in depth signs for bubs. I googled "baby sign language" and found a whole heap of great websites and handy tools for implementing baby signing. It really is so much fun to do!! HTH

I do have a question tho re: bf........in my previous post I mentioned that around a week ago I dropped a feed so went down to 4. That lasted around 4/5 days and I felt that DD needed that extra feed coz her nights were getting unsettled and particularly in the arvy, she was quite restless. However, when I first dropped the 5th feed, she became less chucky, now she is chucky again...what do I do?? Push her through to 4 hourly?? Feed her and wear baby vomit?? She isn't wasting away but today for example, after having her feed and her sitting up for ages, she did the hugest chuck (all over my sister!! LOL!!) .... I really am at a loss as to how many feeds I should give her. I'll post this in the bf thread as well but any thoughts?????

Wow! 2 big posts in one day - that's a miracle!! Guess I better go hang with the hubby now that kiddies are in bed, LOL!!(ooh! I can hear tim tams....mmmmm!)

Take care gorgeous lovlies!
Mwa!

[Peach]

Feathertop: I am exclusively B/Fing Mackenzie, but am haiving a lump removed from my breast next week so I might only be able to feed on one side .. so I am guessing that wont be enough so will have to supp feed with formula.

[Michelle71]

Jen - your milk supply will adjust with Mackenzie's needs - even if it is on one side only. One of my friends had the left breast stop producing milk but she continued to feed exclusively on the right. Women who have ad mastectomys can also do the same. Me - I have had attachment issues and sore / cracked nipples and there have been times when I have only fed on the left side for 2-3 feeds in a row (and expressed the other side) and the supply has kept up fine.

Breasts are amazing things. We often feel like there isn't enough milk (you can check out my posts in the breastfeeding forums ) and I have been on medication to increase supply and antibiotics for a dose of mastitis in the middle due to the poor attachment. I was worried there wasn't enough milk because I could only express 30mls per side and that was taking nearly an hour. After a feeding frenzy due to growth spurt I could get 60mls in about 15-20 minutes so I know I have increased volume production. But Oscar is still feeding for the same amount of time - sometimes less, because his sucking action is more efficient. I can see the suction working on the breast tissue now where I couldn't before.

Is my milk strong enough and do I have enough are the universal concerns of all breastfeeding mummies (especially us new ones) and the best indicator is are they weeing and pooing, are they settled after a feed and are they putting on weight. BF bubs also tend to feed every 2-4 hours - unfortunately my little man also feeds every 2 hours with FF too. Found this out when I had to supplement while trying to get his weight up and trying to increase my supply. It is hard work but I am almost fully BF still - we do have the odd FF due to me lacking serious sleep but it is mostly boob.

My biggest concern is when I go back to work because I am one of those people who find they don't get much with expressing. I think I should start now in preparation for January

[mel_thekiwimum]

Fi - i am in the same boat - feeding jackson at 6:30, 9, 11, 1, 3, 5, 8, 9:30 for the last couple of days - its exhausting, and I am trying to express as well so me and DH can gave a night out on Friday and I think I'm like you Michelle, I'm going back to work in January and think I'll have to start stocking the freezer now

I am still exclusively bf'ing but there have been so many times when I've thought about giving up, usually when I'm totally shattered or have had to spend an hour in a parents room feeding jackson rather than shopping with my mum or friends

TMI ahead!!
I've gone back on the mini pill and I wonder if this has affected my supply
i still have some elevit tablets left so will start taking them again

big hugs to everyone i think all of us are great mummies because we love our babies and only want them to be happy and healthy

Mel

[Feathertop]

Phew Charly, you are a mine of info!!! I'll print out your suggestions and pass them on to my friend if she's still struggling when we catch up tomorrrow. I know her daughter tends to feed not just frequently, but for long periods still eg 1 hr each feed, and still seems hungry when taken off. I think that combination is what is making her worry about her bf.

Charly, 4 feeds a day sounds a little on the low side to me (but what would I know!!!) - have you had a response in the bf forum about this? Angus has always been a chucky boy, today I have been covered in it 5 times already and not just little amounts either. It doesn't seem to relate though to how many times he is fed, he's just a reflux boy. I am usually feeding Angus 6 times a day (generally 3 hrly from when he wakes up) and sometimes more depending on what he's up to. He's a speed feeder though - gets through one side in the morning in 5 mins then I spend 10 trying to convince him to have the other side! He did today, and then threw it all up spectacularly all over me! Oh well.

Am feeling kinda blah today, feel just like some grotty saggy smelly taken for granted old barfed on milking machine. Was ****ed off with my husband yesterday as he said he'd do some things and they didn't get done. The most annoying was that I wanted him to look after Angus for about an hour yesterday arvo so I could finish pre-preparing dinner so that I wasn't clattering around in the kitchen while he was in his teleconference meeting from 6-7.30. Anyway, it all kinda fell in a heap and the last straw was that when he put Angus in his rocker in our room just before 6, he didn't strap him in, and so 5 mins later when I go in he's worked his way half out - not very safe, and he was really uncomfortable.

I really want my husband to spend longer stretches of time looking after our son when he is not at work - he did a fantastic job at this on Sunday and I really praised him for that, but it needs to be more often. And 15 mins playing with him before putting him in the rocker and going off to the computer isn't enough.

Rant over!

[Charlyfrog]

Your friend sounds like mine who did recently go to formula - with her first bubby, she would nurse for an hour too and it took a while to figure out that she was barely giving 50mls or something like that! She tried again with second bubby but caught on quicker to her bf issues which was good for baby's health sake. So even tho she struggled with not being able to bf, she and her family (and baby!) are so much happier and thriving now with formula feeds. Thinking of your friend and sending her hugs!

A couple or responses re: 4 feeds, mostly from the angle that it might be too soon.......it's really tricky to work out how much DD is getting when all she wants to do is share her already partially digested portion with me!
At our last check up I was told I could possibly be over feeding her.....?? And it was around that time we went from 6 to 5 feeds. She is doing an average weight gain of 250gms per week!!! Guts!! So she is not wasting away! DD#1 went to 4 feeds at 5 months and stayed 'chunky butt'

.......you'd think I'd have it worked out the second time round wouldn't you?!?! Not to worry!

Sending you hugs Feathertop My DH also works from home alot as well as his 'off sight' work place...........it's trying to find that balance sometimes between, yes you have to work and you are doing this for your family but what is a wad load of money if when you look around, your kids don't feel connected to you??? It's a tricky thing to negotiate sometimes and it can really do my head in Other times, I feel like we've nailed it and lifes a peach!!! But you are such a lovely wifey for praising him up for Sunday, good on you!! Blokes like to feel like heroes don't they??

Am thinking of you lovely and rant away!!!!

BBL!
Mwa!!

[Charlyfrog]

Morning!

Well woah! What a night! DD is being a real turkey with her arvy feeds and she was a nut case last night - really stressed me out (my flustering bumblingness came out in an emergency post to Barb in the bf probs & support forum!!) It's all to do with how many feeds DD should have vs what she wants I guess........the 5th feed seems to be a negotiable in her world, just wish she'd keep me informed with her swaying love/hate for that particular feed - such a chick, what with all the mind changes!! ANd of all the nights to play up too - infront of the IL's...........coz they are experts on everything! LOL!! I ended up tackling the feed in DD's bedroom, cross legged on the floor with dim light.....still wasn't anti-stimulated enough for her...........social bug!!!

So am feeling slightly wrecked but DH has just presented me with a cuppa so am going to take a deep breath and let it all hang out .... ewwwwwwwwwww! (can't too much with electricians around today.....shame! LOL!!)

BBL later lovlies! Hope you are well with your little gorgeous bubbies!

Oh Babybella! I just wanted you to know that am thinking of you and hope the surgery goes well for you next week - am wishing you a really speedy recovery. xx

Mwa!!

[Peach]

Mackenzie will not sleep in her own cot at all! I am trying to wean her out of our bed ... but to no avail .. she loves out bed! I have been thinking about how many feeds she has in a day .. but I purly demand feed her I have no clue how many times she feeds .. sometimes it will be 3 in a day if she has long sleeps (about once every 3 days) and sometimes it feels like shes feeding evey 20 minutes! I'll have t try and wrte down when she feeds so i have some idea..
She has been biting me aswell lately .. does anyones elses baby do this??? How can I stop her!

Feathertop: I wanted my DH to spend more time with our DD too, Kenzie was starting to throw tantees when I wasn't home (out shopping for only 30 minutes) I said he needed to spend more time and now he is making more of an effort and she seems more bonded with him alos which is nice.

Michelle: Thank yo so much for advice regarding the breastfeeding on one side. It had really put my mind at rest because DH is really against FF because I am a milk fountiain, he got annoyed at me for not expressing earlier .. but time just got away and now i only have 6 days left.. but better late than never!Sometimes DH's can be a bit insensitive can't they?

Hugs to all the mums and bubbas!

Jen

[Michelle71]

You're welcome Jen. I have found breastfeeding a real challenge but the support I have found on BB has been wonderful. It is nice to be able to give something back. Thankfully my DH knows better than to be insensitive due to the difficulties we have had. Good luck with the procedure

[Charlyfrog]

Oh so cute! DD#1 was so funny so had to share!

Was laying on the rug with DD#1 & #2 and tyring to coax #2 to roll over - she does in her cot but not on the floor. Anyways, there I am encouraging DD#2 to roll over to mummy and DD#1 pipes up, "I can help her mummy!" then bends over behind DD#2 and puts her hands under her and attempts to push her over!! Then when that didn't work she went to stradle DD#2 to see if she could manoeuvre her that way!!!! Oh my goodness! What a laugh!!

[Celsie]

Aww... Charly. That's too cute!

Needed to tell you guys about my little man. He had his four month vaccinations today. He screamed like I've never heard before. It must have really really hurt him. I felt so bad.

He's having 6 hourly pain relief, but still sat there groaning for an hour this afternoon...

They weighed and measure him. He's put on 180 grams in six days and grown another 1 1/2cms. I thought he was getting heavier!!!

Anyway, DH is trying to get him to sleep without much success, so I'd better go.

Celsie. xoxox

[Michelle71]

Celsie - my little man had his immunisations on Tuesday and he has been screaming intermittently since. Uncontrollably so It wasn't the needles as such but since then it has been horrible. I hope it starts to settle soon. He's only just gone to sleep after almost 3 hours of settling.

Nice weight gain though!!