Babies Born March 2008

[shell_120308]

I am finally home but what an ordeal to get home I was in tears early hours of this morning after I had DJ weighed, because he lost 13% of his original birth weight and the midwives told me that wasn't a good thing and we need to increase his feeds but of course I just felt like a bad mother for not giving him enough. I think the stress didn't help my milk supply or him wanting to breastfeed because he just wasn't attaching or suckling. Spoke with the lactation consultant and she said to express as much as I could and give him that and then we could top up with formula. At this stage, they didn't even know if I coud go home. My paediatrician is Dr Ginsberg and as soon as he saw DJ he said he has the perfect colouring and looks very healthy, so what if he has lost a little weight, he will gain that weight back. So, he gave me the all clear to head home on the proviso I gave DJ 60ml of milk, and that could be either all breastmilk (expressed since having problems breastfeeding) or half and half breast milk and topped up with formula. But he did say if you only get 55ml etc don't worry about the additional 5ml. They said the milk supply problems I am having could be due to the c-section which is extremely common. I am absolutely exhausted after each expressing of breastmilk and feel like I have run a marathon. So, the routine is at home that I express as much as I can feed that to DJ and see if there is any need for forumla. Then, Doni takes over and looks after him while I go for a sleep. His 4pm feed I managed to express 55ml from my breasts so I didn't bother with a top-up with formula.

I am just soooooo exhausted, but at least it is working, I am feeling less puffy in the face, so I must be doing something right.

We are going to try putting DJ back on the breast once my milk fully comes back in. So, my question to you girls was that herb 'fengugreek' (excuse spelling) where did you buy it from? A health food shop, chemist or specialist grocery store? I am going to get some tomorrow. I am taking 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil as well to hope that it will help.

I just got to a stage where I wanted to do something for myself today instead of feeling like a dairy cow.... I am sorry I haven't posted any personals.

So, that is it from me just now..... I will post more when I have time later in between expressing milk.....so hopefully will respond to some personals then.

Prama - my separation was between 3-4cm and I saw the physio today and she agreed on the girdle but gave me a piece of stretchy fabric I can put under my clothes for when my belly feels really heavy and back is sore. It does help though. And yeah she gave me some great exercises to do so hopefully I will start to see a difference there, especially in just overall being comfortable....

SJ - I am not as concerned about getting my body back into tip top shape anymore, it will happen in its good time. I agree on the breastfeeding, after I have expressed milk I feel like I have run a marathon, and feel so exhausted. And hubby said my face looks really gaunt so something must be working.

[Sammiejane]

Shell you poor thing, hope it settles for you soon... its not easy, i found that the first 7-10 days i was totally exhaused at the end of the day, now i have more energy and get more enjoyment! Good thing that you have your DH around, wish mine could take time off.

Danni - pushing the balloon out if it was inflated properly could do damage... when it is inserted 10 mls of sterile water is put in to keep it in the bladder. We have had patinets that have ripped theirs out at times, pelvic floor exercises should help, but if it gets worse mention it to your child and mat nurse when you see them next or your Dr. You could also speak to a continence nurse if it is a concern to you.
Although i had a c/section, i am still very lightly bleeding - apparently we (c sects) bleed less than VB's thou.
Oh and i am constipated a bit too, getting better now thou, think it was due to the BF and hot weather, have now uped my water intake and am drinking 4L/day of water, plus a couple of cups of tea in the am and that seems to have helped.
HTH

[all girls]

Danni I bled for 4-6 weeks after the birth with the other girls but this time it has already stopped only very tiny amount of brownish discharge every couple of days hardly noticeable. I was pretty constipated for the first few days only needed one lot of metamucil if you are having 3-4 lots per day you would have to drink HEAPS of water otherwise it will make it worse as it thickens. It can be hard as you don't want to push after VB as it hurts. If the H hurt definately get some cream as they can stop you going aswell.

Glad you are home Shell, feels much better to be home in your own bed. DJ will put on weight so don't worry too much it will all come together.

I got some fenugreek tabs to try, its only been 3 days and i think my milk has increased, hard to tell.

Off for booby call be back later

[danniellabella]

Thanks SJ. I'll try and remember to mention all that the my midwife. I think she's gonna call/visit tomorrow (I hope).

Another thing: Jazz needs her nails clipped but I'm really scared about doing it coz I don't want to cut her fingers. Actually, I might try now while she's sleeping and still, if that doesn't work, looking for tips.

Nup, too nervos to cut them myself. I'll just put up with the scratches for a couple more days and ask someone (eg: midwife) for help.

[Sammiejane]

I bought nail clippers last week, but they are still in the packet as i am worried too!!!
Thought i would get DH to help when Molly Jane is asleep

[prama]

teachmum thanks. i get shooting pains anytime, not just after a feed. oh well, what else is new.

shell - im thinking of you. im so exhausted today, i felt so faint so i'll just post a short message. I havent had a rest all day.
im taking fenugreek tablets by nature's sunshine.. i got it at a health food shop.
Lakshman was also below the 10% weight loss and I felt it was all my fault. they kept saying cos he didnt know how to latch etc. that didnt make me feel any better. he's jsut a tiny baby, how can it be his fault.
I'll write more for you later..

I got nail clippers but they were too broad. I just a nail file but it made his nails rougher.. i dunno what to do.

I\time for need. Im so tired, I could drop.. some days im so over bf-ing.. it's been taking me an hr each time all day, and i'm so damn sore. He drinks his formula in 5 mins. sometimes i get into a selfish mode and think maybe i should put him on it...

[all girls]

Cutting their nails is pretty scary at first, make sure the skin at the back of the nail isn't attached still, try running the corner of the nail clippers along the back of the nail and if they are still attached just file them down until they detach. Thats what i have done, the first time is the worst then next time it is easier. Some of the baby clippers come with a little nail file but if you have a bigger one that should be fine. I asked my MW what the best way to do it as i was so nervous and she said after a bath sometimes you can peel them off but that was just as scary for me. After a feed is good when they are in that "drunk" mode.

Prama that sounds pretty exhausting of course you are gonna have days where you want to give up don't feel bad. Do what's right for you both you know you have all our support whatever you decide.

I am going to have to put Summer in a cot this week, she is starting to move around too much and is rolling off the basinette mattress or down to the end. Her feet are close to the end of the mattress too which tells me she has grown a fair bit this week, we are off to a mothers group tomorrow so will weigh her and see, a bit nervous about mothers groups have had some bad one's in the past so hopefully there will be some nice people in this one.

I am off to bed as all is quiet and i have hurt my back, might have to go to the chiro tomorrow.

Sorry for the novel had a quiet few minutes so rambled away

Happy sleeps for you all xoxoxox

[slimjadey]

I've never used nail clippers on my kids when they were babies for the same reason i'm always scared that i'll cut too far. I always just tore the nail off they're pretty soft and usually come away easy. I've also read in books that you can bite them off.

I think you're right SJ, it could be the heat. for the past few nights he's been wearing a short sleeved body suit and been wrapped in a large cotton wrap. we've had the air con on but it doesn't make it that cold as its only evaporative and our room is a bit hotter then the other rooms aswell because its further away from the main unit bit.
Tonight so far he seems quite content sleeping but it could also be because he's exhausted from being awake all night & day and we've been trying to wake him up a bit in the afternoon to help him readjust his sleeping pattern back to night.
I also bought a rocker today so far he seems to enjoy it and falls asleep ok in it.
Gonna think about putting him in a cot over the next week too, i'm over co-sleeping, its not that i dont enjoy it i'm just starting to sleep deeper now that sleep deprivation is kicking in and so i'm getting less comfortable with the safety of it and i sleep better when he's not there which is essential for my sanity at this present time since i'm not getting any sleep.

You're right about the heat being a reason for him feeding more too, he'd be much thirstier and needing more fluid.

Been downloading some movies for late at night when he's not sleeping to help keep me sane hehe.

I was really constipated for prolly just over a week from pain killers and iron tablets until a few days ago i started feeling sick and getting tummy pains and had the runs which was probably my body getting rid of what was left in there from being so constipated. I've been eating absolute s*** aswell, when i have the chance to eat its usually not much and most days it's been take-away because i'm just too exhausted to cook.

Danni, thats so awsome that you can get your mum to come and help. And she helps in all the right ways too. Some people come over with the intention to help but all they do is keep you awake for even longer when all you want to do is sleep.

I'm still bleeding fairly lightly and its been 2 & 1/2 weeks....speaking of which i've been so busy i actually have to keep reminding myself i had abdominal surgery 2 & 1/2 weeks ago.
Has anyone else been really horny? lol i dunno what it is but since getting him out of me i've suddenly got my sex drive back, pity i can't do anything about it tho.... oh, speaking of which, has anyone heard of the Mirena system? it's a new kind of contraception that i've never heard of before, the midwife gave me a pamphlet on it it sounds good in theory. its a plastic thing they stick inside your uterus. They reckon it lessens your periods too and can stop them altogether over time, and doesn't have the same side effects as the pill because it slowly releases progestogen directly into your uterus so it bypasses your liver and it lasts 5 years.

anywho, thats it for me for now. Fingers crossed Ryan sleeps ok tonight....
Fingers crossed for the rest of you too!!

[marknjo]

Lisa - Don't feel like a failure, I am doing exactly the same thing and I am a much more relaxed mum because of it. So far my milk has not dropped off apart from some days where I have not drank enough but it picks back up as soon as I get better hydrated. The Fenugreek Capsules also help.

Danni - re constipation. I was backed up after Caitlin's birth also due to roids. I also was taking metamucil but I also got some Coloxyl from the pharmacy. A small amount passes to the breast milk but not enough to worry bubs so long as you follow the instructions. It didn't seem to effect Caitlin and they certainly helped get things moving. Do you have cream for the roids? I got Proctosedyl which is the pharmacy version of what the prescribe for you in hospital and it worked well to make them go down.

Shell - hang in there, do you have an electric breast pump or are you using a manual one? I highly recommend the investment in an electric one that is 2 stage that you can adjust the intensity on. I got my fenugreek from the local health food store (they didn't have it at the pharmacy).

Had a couple of great days with Caitlin, she is getting more alert during her awake time and we are able to get her to smile when we are playing with her and she seems to be interacting with us a lot more than she had been. Also we have a soft giraffe on the change table and when we are changing her she looks over at it and grins at it, it is so cute!

SJ - re the adjusted age thing, yes the milestones are based on the adjusted age as are the percentile charts. At the last visit to the M&CHC I was told that it will be a couple of more visit before they can tell me where she is on the percentile chart as she had not yet made it to her due date but hopefully we can get a better idea tomorrow as she was due nearly 2 weeks ago. I haven't booked into the early days class yet but am going to ring in the morning. It would be nice to meet you if you do decide to go also.

Mark is feeding Caitlin as I type so got to go and express!

Sleep well everyone.

[teachmum]

Danni I drink prune juice and find that helps keep me regular. I was badly constipated with my first and had hroids. Got creme from the pharamacy and Nulax which is a mixed fruit laxative. I bled for 6 weeks with my first, 3 weeks with my second and at almost 2 weeks I'm only bleeding when I feed so hopefully it will stop soon.

Jade I can't even think about sex with these sensitive nipples

When I cut my DD nails for the first time I actually cut her finger but she hasn't haboured any ill feelings about it. After lengthy questioning she assures me she can't even remember it.

Shell stop feeling guilty . Your doing a great job. Some babies loose more weight than others, some babies grow faster than others. Learning to parent is only done through on the job training. It doesn't matter how much you read because your little DJ is a unique human being and will do things his way . He will soon have you trained coz you know us adults are slow learners .

It will be interesting to read about all our issues in a few months time and see how many of them are resolved with time and practice