Babies Born March 2008

[prama]

Jess - Congrats!!!!
Lakshman half rolled the other day I had him on the change mat and he rolled onto his side. he's only done that once.

Trina - does gripe water work? been thinking of gettign that. How are things? When is DH coming home? It's good that your mum can come and help.

The other day, Lakshman was asleep and mum was holding him and we were both sitting on the sofa watching tv. Suddenly, we heard him hyper-ventilate. We both got panicky and when we looked at him, he had this big smile... He was laughing in his sleep! It was so funny, and cute but scary as well.

Hope you girls are having a good weekend. (tho the weekends dont mean much to me anymore, they all seem the same. Except that DH is home and that helps heaps)

[shell_120308]

Hey girls,

Sorry the photos didn't upload.... Not sure why, think they were too big, so I have just uploaded the ones taken on the mobile phone. Check them out There is only two though.

I am being discharged from hospital tomorrow, got to see the physio though in the morning because of the whole adonominal gap thingy because the midwive tested it on me when I did a sit up and could fit four fingers eeeek Breastfeeding getting better though, he still doesn't like one boob so trying out different positions. LC said it could be because he was posterior in position, and also suggested just expressing from that breast if he continues to play up on it. But my milk came in today and OMG talk about engorgement eeek I have no ide what my bra size is now, because the bras I have so don't fit anymore, way too small. Need to get some new ones.

I have to go to the dentist!!! I was eating cornflakes this morning and I think I have chipped my molar teeth arghhhh but I did clench my jaw in labour/c-section etc from the drugs, so I wouldn't be surprised if I chipped it then or something. It looks like a filling or something that is loose, but who knows. I will make an appt for later this week to find out. Just will make sure I feed DJ beforehand.

How is everyone? More births YAY congratulations Kanda

Prama - that is totally fine, it was good to see you Dr Wardena was really good and I found the anethesiast to be fantastic as well, and haven't had any problems with any of the midwives, so hopefully it will continue until I get discharged tomorrow. How are you going? How long is your mum with you? I will have Doni off work for 2 weeks and my mum moves in this weekend for about 4 weeks and will be off work for 2 weeks as well, so that will help me.


Sorry I don't have more time for personals, it is getting close to the time to give DJ another feed and my mum is arriving soon and we are meeting her downstairs. I don't think we have alot of visitors tonight which is good, wouldn't mind a quiet one tonight and plus 'So you think you can dance' is on tonight

Chat soon.
Shell xxxx

[marknjo]

Sj - Yes, the MHN told me about the Lacation consultant and gave me a brochure with the contact number. She also suggested attending the Early Weeks parenting workshop. I have missed 2 so far as I had things on, but I am going to look at booking in to do it on the 27th in Parkdale.

Kanda - Congratulations on the arrival of your baby girl Lila.

We bath Caitlin every second day. In the hospital one of the midwives told us to use a couple of drops of olive oil in the bath but i have found it makes her hair look greasy. We had been using the Johnsons naturals bath lotion but last bath I tried the Gaia shampoo and bath gel and her hair came up nice and fluffy and her skin looked great so I am going to continue to use the Gaia products.

Jess - sounds like you are going to have your hands full with Madison!

I can recommend a good book that a friend gave me, it is called "Baby Love". It is fantastic, it answers all of the little questions that you are thinking but might not want to ask as well as the bigger ones. I have found it great and has put my mind at ease many times.

I played in a hockey practice match on Saturday and I am pleased to say that my bladder did really well so it looks like I can start training at full steam! I am also starting up netball this week, it is great, just up the road from home and there is someone available at the venue to watch Caitlin while the game is on which is fantastic. I am looking forward to getting back into my sport!

We have a MHC appt on Tuesday, I am sure that Caitlin has put on a stack of weight in the last 2 weeks so will see what the scales say. She has been demand feeding every 3hrs for the last couple of days and taking 80mls each feed which is more than she is supposed to be having but with the hot weather I am not too concerned as I know she can't be dehydrated. I think she is going through a growth spurt which would explain the feeding. She is 7 weeks old today but adjusted age is 1.5 weeks, last weight in she was 2750g, hopefully this weigh in she will be over 3kgs.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and have a great week this week.

Jo.

[shell_120308]

Jo - good luck with your apt on Tuesday and well done on getting back into netball. I am hoping I will be able to exercise sooner than 8 weeks time, the doctor said between 6-8 weeks but there are other exercises I can do also walking and stretches. The midwife was talking about me wearing a girdle to get back those abdominal muscles so that will be interesting. Will find out more at the physio apt tomorrow.

I have been going really well with my breastfeeding lately, DJ is just stubborn on one breast and tonight he was just not doing his thing..... arghhhh I still managed to give him 15 mins on each side, but feel bad that it wasn't enough so going to increase the amount I give him later tonight...... Does everyone have a good day with breastfeeding and a bad day??? Was also considering expressing some in case he doesn't take as much again later.....

I am so looking forward to going home tomorrow and will be making an apt with dentist tomorrow about my tooth, my mum seems to think I did something while I was in labour...... It is now rubbing on my gums so tomorrow it is going to kill me.

[Lisaqg]

Hi Everyone,

Not really much time to post as we have been out 4x4 driving all day and I'm pretty tired

I have had horrendous problems BF little Jake as he has a small mouth, I have nipples that are completely flat and I have large breasts too....the little fellow can't get a large enough hold on the nipple and areola and so therefore is clamped on the nipple only even though he has "good" attachment according to the Lactation consultant. Everything is picture perfect and he is doing it all right he just can't get enough as he's only on the nipple area and wears himself out trying to feed (he could only manage 5 minutes minimum) and therefore doesn't get enough milk and then is lethargic and fussy. Soooooooo after trying for a few days and getting massive cracks, raw nipples and bruising I have switched to expressing all my milk into the closer to nature bottles for him. This has resulted in a much happier baby who is getting fatter by the day, my nipples are slowly healing but even expressing hurts! The little man is polishing off nearly 80ml of milk every feed....I feel like I am a failure because even though he's on perfectly he can't get enough milk. I have a few questions about the whole expressing and feeding by bottle:

1. Can I express and bottle feed without my milk drying up? I read somewhere that if you express into bottles only without BF your milk will dry up...seems a little weird but any way....

2. Am I failure for quitting and feeding him breast milk through the bottle instead?

3. Will it hurt him in any way?

I plan to do this as long as I can as I don't want to formula feed him...

Cheers
Lisa

[prama]

Shell - saw the pix you uploaded.. hehe really nice pix of Doni and DJ.
I'm ok.. some days are good w bf when nipples arent so sore and other days are not so good. It will help heaps with Doni with you and mum.. It makes such a big difference. My mum goes back on the 30th, so it will be hard on my own during the day. I find I'm doing more and more baby talk to Lakshman, thank god for BB, at least it's virtual adult company. It will keep me sane when my mum goes back and I have no adults to talk to!
Re the girdle, the physio therapist told us not to wear it very long, she didnt seem keen on it. She said that the muscles will get weak cos you wont be working them when you wear a girdle. Maybe check with her what she thinks. I have ab muscle separation too, 4.5cm. Last week I went to my physio and it was down to 1.5cm so the exercises do help.
I so cant wait to get back to yoga and swimming. Im going to check out the post natal yoga classes at Hills Yoga and Concord and see which one I like.

Jo - thanks for the tip on Gaia. I went to their website and you can get free samples if you send a Stamped Self Addressed envelope.
Good luck for Tuesday! I'm hoping Caitlin goes above 3kgs!! xoxox

Lisa - quickly, as Lakshman's grizzly.

1. You milk wont dry up but it wont increase if you express only, from what I've told

2. YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE!!!! Whatever you choose you are not! I';ve had some issues as well, I;m bfing and topping up with formula, and I did feel like a failure as my milk isnt increasing. I'm on Motilium and herbs and expressing but it isnt working. I know, I have my moments when I feel like a failure but Im starting to accept that thats the way it is.
Using the bottle is ok. It's still early stages, attachment will get better when bub's a little bigger. The LCs can help at different stages.

3. It wont hurt him, he's getting all your milk.

There's a thread with BF issues, you could post there. There's a LC that answers questions on that thread.
You could ask your LC about using nipple shields, they can help to draw out your nipples. I have bad sore, cracked nipples and have been using it. At least I can bf now. It does reduce the amt of milk bub can suck compared to without. But for at least it helps me bf.

Hope that helps hun..xoxoxoxo

[teachmum]

Lisa don't buy into the whole thing about beinga failure if you can't bf. You are obviously doing what is best for YOUR baby and YOU. IMO if you can maintain your milk supply Jake will become stronger and be able to feed for longer. Look on the bright side, if you need to leave him for a period of time at least you know he will take a bottle.

I've got sore, grazed nipples and find that the Lanisoh ointment really helps them heal. I ran out yesterday and noticed that my nipples started getting worse. Might go to a bf group on thurs but I hate all the different advise on how to bf. Sometimes the little buggers just won't follow the rules.

I usually only give Patrick one breast per feed because otherwise he doesn't empty it and I end up engorged. If he's super hungry he'll take the second boob but not for as long. I remember when I had my DD I worried about giving both but now I just go with my gut feeling. It suits me and bub to feed like this so that's what I'm doing. Trust your instincts.

I must say I'm enjoying having the large age gap. It's like having a new baby but knowing what to do. My two older ones have been a great help. DD just loves dressing him and soothing him. I had to leave Patrick at home and go and chase our cows back to our paddock (long story). DD managed to deal with a dirty nappy that leaked through to his clothes and a grizzly baby. I was so proud.

Off to bed before the boy wakes.

[Lisaqg]

We tried again last night to get him onto the breast and he had all the classic signs of breast refusal....he's had them from day one really, he takes the nipple has one or two sucks and then spits it out. I am going to give the nipple sheilds a go and if they don't work for him then I will just keep expressing for him (I have an electric breast pump so it's pretty handy!!!).

I have plenty of milk and let down very easily (ie if I think of feeding it runs out by itself LOL). My milk came in on day two and is well and truly established now so breasts are nice and soft.

I have been using the lanisoh cream which has helped almost heal one nipple but not the other as it was more damaged.

So far we have tried all the suggestions except the sheilds which are next...all to no avail. The Lactation Consultant is one of the BF australia ones and is pretty useless really but due to us being in a remote area I can't get to another.

All the midwives have agreed he attaches well, it's just that he can't get his mouth open wide enough to take enough of the Areola in and hence the damage to the nipple

[Sammiejane]

Hi guys,

JO - i might try and book into the same one and then we could meet up - was thinking that i should get along to one of those sessions.

SHELL - be careful doing exercise too quickly with the scar, walking must only be slow and you should aim to be walking for 30 mins at the end of 4-6 weeks... i know that this seems ages away, but you dont want to tear the sutures that are underneath. you should have about 3-5 layers of suturing and if you tear any of these it can end up in you having to go for more surgery to fix it up. not sure if you are keen for a VBAC but if you do too much too early you can hamper your chances of that too.
Dont worry too much about the weight, at day 7 i lost most of the fluid i was carrying and i have already dropped over 10kg. I LOVE BF!!!! In hossy i felt huge, but it will soon come off as long as what you are eating is good for you and bubs.'

LISA - you are not a failure at all and dont let anyone tell you that you are.
Do what you have too - DH and i were talking about the pain of BF (sometimes it feels like a hot pin being stuck in my nipples when she attaches) and we decided that we are better to see a LC early so that i dont end up dreading feeding becasue of the pain.

Danni - Molly Jane gets the hiccups too - 3-6 times a day, not sure what to do, apparently letting them suck helps, so i try her on my finger as i dont want her feeding early or when she doesnt need a feed.
Re the cuddles - i have read that young babies tell you what they need and dont learn selfish or attention seeking behaviour until they are older... Molly Jane needs cuddles at different times, usually late at night before being ut back to bed, the other thing that i read is that at this young agae, if you let them cry too long they learn it and tend to cry longer as they grow up... i will see if i can find the qte when i come back

Got to go BBL

[slimjadey]

I don't have time for personals again i'm really sorry guys. I have to get back to sleep.
I don't remember either of my other two being this difficult sleeping and feeding. Its only happened within the past few days/week, Ryan is not sleeping, i don't believe he has wind, he seems to be relatively comfortable, i'm changing his nappy almost every hour and feeding him every 1-2 hours (my other two fed every 4 hours) and he just wont sleep, the only way i can get him to drift off is to stick him over my shoulder but the second i put him down he starts to stir and wake up again. Dunno what to do... DH took the day off work today because i'd only had an hour sleep last night and couldn't deal with all 3 kids during the day on that, plus my scar was beginning to hurt after all the rocking i did overnight. i might even go and buy an electric swing or something if its gonna make him sleep.
This wouldn't be a problem if it just wasn't for the other kids!!!!

oh about expressing with pump.. i haven't read anything about supply issues but its what i did with Shane and my supply dried up, i was only bottle feeding. And you are definately NOT a failure!!