Babies Born March 2008

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!!

Summer gets the hiccups too i don't think there is anything you can do, if she is due for a feed and has them i still put her on and they go away fairly quickly.

We are going through the not sleeping so well stage too and she wants lots of cuddles which i don't mind as this stage doesn't last long, before you know it they are big and i want to savour every moment with her at this age. They need us, we are their world so make the most of it ;) and remember it when they are teenagers....

You are doing well lisa, his little mouth will get bigger soon keep your chin up xoxox

Jade rest up hun, good on your DH for being there for you, not having mine here sucks but luckily Codie is a big help (most of the time hehe) plus the mad rush of getting them to school might suck but then i have a good few hours just with Summer, even though she just wants cuddles and feeds at the moment.

My tough old nipples healed really quickly but when my milk lets down it feels the same as you SJ, like a hot needle going in My mw i had throughout pg said it was from her sucking so hard, it does go after a few minutes but can still feel it, so different from any of the others, she also gets a little blister on her top lip from sucking so hard.

I am feeling pretty run down today, like i am getting a cold i really hope my body fights it off as i don't need to be sick right now.

Enjoy your day everyone xoxoxox

trina - is that like shooting pains? i get that, even after ive stopped bf-ing? lc said it was fr improper attachment

Prama it is shooting pain for me, maybe that is the let down, i dont feel anything else... Molly Jane has a blister too on the top of her lip.

Jade you poor thing, maybe it is because of the heat that ryan is so restless, i have noticed that Molly Jane has been worse these last couple of days, the heat must be affecting your lot as you have had so many straight days of heat. Usually it is cooler this time of year. Probably why he is feeding more too - Molly is feeding every 2 hours during the day and i reckon it is because of the heat change.
Hope you get some rest and ryan too

Just had a great afternoon, 3 of the girls from work came over and bought lunch with them, stayed for about 3 hours, all had cuddles and told me how beautiful Molly Jane is (as if they would say anything else?) So nice to have them over, we haven't really been bombarded with people at all which has been nice.

I havent really had much to say about Molly lately, as really i feel a bit guilty, i am getting good amounts of sleep, she is feeding well and hardly ever crys. I feel so lucky when i read the troubles that some of you are having, but also worry that my bubble is going to burst any day now and she will start having problems.

Seeing the CMHN tomorrow and getting Molly weighed etc. I am sure that she will be over the 4kg mark now...
Jo - with the adjusted age thing, does that mean that it is the adjusted age that they expect the milestomes for? is there anything else that they look at?

I ended up ringing my mum to come and help coz I suddenly got annoyed at Jazz and started crying and thought I'd better enlist some help.

Jazz fell asleep just before mum arrived and has been asleep since (12noon). I'm about to wake her for a feed coz she finished her last one at about 11am but she did have heaps this morning.

Mum said she probably wasn't getting enough because I was tense as today was my first day alone. She said being stressed would affect the milk supply so Jazz was probably more demanding because of that.

Mum was great, she walked in, I told her I wanted a nap and I asked if she could do a few dishes. All the dishes are done and she also cleaned the outside of the cupboards and rangehood.

I managed to get 2 loads of washing done as well, so I'm happier that things got done. A friend brought a meal around so all I need to do for dinner is heat it up. Now I'm going to try and wake Jazz for a feed and relax until Matt gets home (late coz he's on 6pm finishes this week).

Lucky you Danni! Everyone seems to love to help when it's your first. I don't know about trina or jade but nobody seems to offer after your first and that's when you need it the most ;).

prama I get the shooting pain after feeding. I think it's because they are damaged and any outside interference, even a cool breeze, seems to make them hurt. Patrick gets blisters on his lips as well.

I'm getting let down pains this time too. Oooh just thinking about it starts it lol (there it goes) Like like needle pains in the nipple. Didn't get it the first time.

Regarding help, the hospital we went through have this great program called Mothercarers and for up to six days after you go home a woman comes around for six hours and helps out. We didn't use it first time because we were in for five days but we came home after two days so took advantage of it this time. It has been great. The lady has done shopping, my dishes, my floors, loads of washing. Today she cleaned my bathroom and did some face painting on Miss 3! It has made things so less stressful.

I'm also lucky that DH has 8 weeks off work so its a really good bonding time for the family. Also good as I haven't bounced back as quick this time.

Is everyone looking forward to Easter? Its going to be a good chance to show off bubs to the family. Oh and I get all her Easter Eggs lol.

I am going to ask you about your healing from vaginal birth if that's ok.

Right, I don't know if anyone would know the answer to this one, but while I was in labour I had an epidural and because I had no feeling down there I had a cathider inserted. While I was pushing, I pushed the cathider out with the balloon still inflated. Now I've noticed that my urethra is quite sensitive and I'm always dripping. Do you think pushing an inflated balloon out may have caused some damage?

Also, (one for second, third etc time mums): How long on average does bleeding last?

And one more thing. I have a haemarroide and am also constipated from iron tablets. I'm taking metamusal 3-4 times a day but I'm still constipated which sucks and hurts. Any tips?

Sorry for all the TMI, but we've all put our bodies through similar things so I guess it's ok right?

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.... :wall: 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.

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 :)

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

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.

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

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...

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

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!!

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.

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 :wall:

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. :lol: After lengthy questioning she assures me she can't even remember it.

Shell stop feeling guilty :p. 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 :D. 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 ;)

Sorry to drop in on your thread, but i was interested to see how you're all going.

Congrats on your beautiful babies, all your pictures are gorgeous :)

As for clipping nails - two of the mums in feb buddies recommended just using an emery board and filing them... maybe some of you could give that a try.

Hope you're all enjoying your precious bundles!

shell - forgot to say 50ml is excellent... it's what bub needs.. Thats the max I get, which isnt enough at this stage.

trina - thanks for your support xoxox

Thank you girls so much for your support. You girls bring tears to my eyes you know...... Just knowing that you are also going through the same thing means so much to me so I don't feel alone. I am actually enjoying expressing milk even if it is painful. I need to get a new breastpump. It is the Pigeon Electric breast pump but I don't feel like it is powerful enough so going to go with what the LC recommended, the Diana breastpump. If it means it will be a quicker job then the investment is worth it. She said they are worth around $150 which is pretty reasonable. I just have to keep remembering it will take time to get DJ to breastfeed and for my milk to come completely through. I don't want to put him back on the breast until I can see a good amount of milk coming out in the expressing.... It helps having DH to help me, he is enjoying feeding him after I have expressed etc. I took DJ into his nursery last night and just walked around, and his eyes were just looking around the room, it was soooo sweet. I just melted.

As for the bleeding, I am bleeding fairly lightly but mind you I had a c-section so not sure if that has anything to do with it. Mine is going the brownish red colour, which normally means it is light.....and towards the end of a period.....

We haven't clipped DJ's nails yet, not yet needed.

Anyone breaking out big time??? I have broken out heaps on the chin and below the chin line as well as my shoulders. It is all hormonal, but haven't broken out this bad since first trimester.

Ok girls going to get going, and thanks again for your support. It means so much to me. We are going back to the hospital today for another weigh-in for DJ, so on my way home I will get some fenugreek tabs and aktivite (read that it helps increase milk flow) so thanks again and will let you know how the weigh-in goes. I am noticing he looks more fuller in the face so hopefully he has put on enough weight ;) I think so, feeling fairly confident about it. So much happier today.

Shell xxx

Jade - i am with you, so horny! Seriously thou i feel like i cant win, DH wouldnt come near me at the end of the pg for fear of hurting bubs, now he is too scared that he will damage the suture line AHHHHHH i was in tears the other moning, feeling very unattractive and wondering if we will ever have a sex life again!
Could be worse i suppose, he could be insensitive and demand sex, i am sure that he is missing it too, but puts me and my body first...

really tired this morning, not from Molly Jane, but from the heat, couldnt sleep well at all.

got to go, Molly Jane has decided that she would like some breakfast

Had another difficult night last night, a little over an hour sleep. This time DH had to go to work so i'm stuck home with the kids and feeling very grumpy.
I've just taken a Panadeine Forte that i had left over to help with my headache and to help relax me, not the best way to relax but it's only 1 and its pretty much my only option atm.
oh, about Easter.. heh i think i'm going to cancel it this year, if things keep going the way there are i don't think i'll be able to handle family over for too long and knowing my family they'll overstay their welcome.

Another sucky day.. :(
I dont know what to do.. some days seem a real struggle and then i feel so guilty.
Lakshman threw up all his milk...
Im so tired that i try to catch some sleep in between and then i feel guilty that i dont give him much play time.
How much play time do you girls do? I have him on my tummy, for some tummy time and some times on the play mat. The nurse at the settling class said you have to give them play time.. i dont have the energy, sometimes, i feel like a horrid mother.. im in tears now..

Sorry to crash your thread girls.. Just a message for Prama - yr inbox is full.

Just wanted to send you a super huge cyber hug honey. xxoo

Prama I remember feeling like this with my first. Everyone tells you what you should do but remember do what you have to do to get through the day. Your little man probably didn't throw all his milk up, sometimes it just looks that way.

Regarding play time and tummy time, you can give him tummy time just by putting him on your chest. He will try and lift his head up which is what you want him to practice. When he is awake every minute is playtime. It's all new to him and I'm sure he's having a ball! Patrick only goes on his playmate when he is awake and content to lay there and play. Some days this doesn't happen coz he wants to feed sleep and grow!

Remember a happy mummy is more important than a happy CHN.;)

how many hours a day should baby play when they're this young? i can't remember from my other two.
I want him to play obviously but i dont want him overtired either...

I don't know. I just let Patrick play until he gets cranky.

I am sorry to hear that some of you are having such a hard time settling your little ones, Jake is such and angel - he rarely fusses and only if very hungry. I've been so blessed as he's sleeping well, the only problems we are having is BF but I am seeing the child health nurse tomorrow and we will see what she says about it all but the idea of expressing my milk is growing on me as it's very conveniant for anyone to be able to feed him for me.

My stitches are starting to come out now and the area seems to be healing well, I've booked a GP's appointment though to make sure all is well and to have Jake's first health check :redface:

(((((hugs))))) to everyone who's having so many dramas :cry:

thanks teachmum, you made me feel better.
It's hard to know how much play time to give at this age. He's too young to grab stuff and listen the different noises. maybe it's too early for him to feel textures and stuff. I squeak the different toys and he seems to turn his head.

I guess apart from talking to him and cuddling him at this stage it's quite limited.

lisa - glad all is good with you!! you deserve it after all that you went thru.

Yay for the weather change coming through!!!

Re the play time, i read to Molly Jane after a feed in the morning and from what i can understand, when they are awake, it is time for interaction, that is cuddles, a bit on the bouncer and also loads of talking or any other form of play that you can think of or combine with what you are doing. I dont think that it necessarily has to be structured and shouldnt keep them awake if they are tired. If i am cooking, i bring the bouncer into the kitchen and tell Molly Jane what i am doing...
I read a pamplet when i was in hossy re settling and they were saying that it should be sleep, feed, play... that way bubs is not relying on the feed to get them to sleep all the time. I try and stick to that, but sometimes she just falls asLeep straight away and there is no waking her! (at night time it is feed, change, feed back to bed - or a quick cuddle first, no talking or playing)
I too have been lucky and Molly Jane is really settled and have not had a problem getting enough sleep.

Prama, i think that you are doing a brilliant job, you have had so many hurdles that you have had to get over, you are not a horrid mummy, you are a great one as you are continually thinking of what to do and making sure that your beautiful boy gets all that he needs

Mum and Dad have just left, Dad and i went and got some mulch and he did all the garden beds, mowed the lawns and walked the dog... Mum did hung out and then brought in all the washing, took me shopping, to the CMHN for our 2 week visit and helped me wash the dog. I am so lucky to have them. I have declared that Tuesday is now Grandparent day, and i will visit them or they can visit us each tuesday.
Dad now has a new name, he wanted to be called 'Pop' but was talking to Molly Jane and called himself 'Tic Tock Pop' as he has an artificial valve in his heart and when his heat beats it sounds funny and 'tick'... so dad is now Tic Tock!!! :lol:

Health Visit went well, Molly Jane has put on 125g (now a whopping 4.08kg - she will be out of all her clothes so quickly), she is also 2.5cm longer and her Head Circ is 1cm larger. All other health checks were great and the 'explosive poo' is her way of getting rid of excess BM so all is good :)

Easter we are braving it and going away, not sure if you remember (the girls from the old group) but we go away ever Easter and Cup weekend with several other families (my parents and sister go too) waterskiing,motorbike riding (the boys) and 4WDing etc... anyway, we have decided to go as we dont want DSS to miss out on his Easter holiday... its going to be a chanllange, but i have so much support (i think the thing that i am most worried about is having enough nappies - still on the cloths!)
I am looking forward to showing her off as the other families havent seen her as we will be going away so soon together...

Jade - dont worry about taking the P/Forte, it is only one, and you have to rest. Is there anyone that could come and help you a bit or is there a day that both the boys are in playgroup etc that you could get a bit of you time?

Sorry for the long novel - im very talkative today (must be all that adult interaction i had!:D

Prama :hugs: As the others have said, you need to look after yourself and at this stage Lakshman would be getting all of the playtime he needs just while he is awakw and feeding. It is only in the last couple of days that Caitlin has started to interact with her playmat and that is purely looking at herself in the mirror and smiling. She prefers tummy time laying on my chest than to laying on the playmat and her neck development does not seem to be affected at all.

We had our "4 week" visit to the M&CHC today (kind of funny seeing as though she is 7 weeks old). We had a great fortnight, she put on 430g and is now 3180g (7lb), her head is 35cm and her length is 49cm. I knew she had gotten bigger as some of her clothes now don't fit her which is exciting! She is even wearing some 0000's now - although they are a little baggy but if she keeps packing on the weight like she has she will be caught up in no time. Based on her corrected age she is on the 25th percentile curve for her head, 50th percentile curve for her length and 25th percentile for her weight so she is still a little small but definitely better than she was.

SJ - Your post popped up after I posted. Have a good weekend away - at least this time you will be able to ski - that is if your Ceaser wound will let you.

Thanks so much girls..
I;m sorry for constantly whinging. I feel incompetent sometimes.

SJ - enjoy your time. It's so wonderful to have your parents there..

Jo - yaayy for Caitlin doing so well. well done to all of you!! im so happy..

I think im going express for a day or so instead of directly bf-ing. the shooting pains are getting more frequent and painful. maybe giving it a rest might heal it better.

hope all of you are doing ok. xoxo

Nope no skiing this time - i was so looking forward to having a ski again... bloody ceaser, i am still really angry about it all - after a lot of reflection, i am pretty sure that i was pushed into it due to the time, sure her heart rate was decelerating a bit, but i think that the picture was painted worse as my OB didnt want to be called back at midnight when i was likely to deliver. I am so angry and feel like i was cheated out of a normal birth... anyway enough of that, Molly Jane is healthy and happy, but i dont feel like i gave birth - more like she just arrived and was handed to me. Hard to explain and i am getting better, looking back, given the information that we were given, we made the right decision, but we were not told the whole story and blah - you dont all need to hear this... Sorry

Prama - you are not incompetent... whinge away, thats what we are here for. Have you got anything to rub onto your nipples? the lanisoh is really fantastic and my nipples are feeling better (still sting on attachement, but better)

Jo - Glad Caitlin is doing so well, it must be such a relief for you. I cant believe that it is 7 weeks. has it flown for you? these last 2 weeks have been a wonderful and magical blur for me!

SJ - yup, been using lanisoh.

sorry about not being able to ski.. hopefully you'll be able to do it again in a couple of mths.
i know, it sux that our delivery didnt go the way we planned. i am upset that i was a bit out of it, i had sleeping pills when i first went at 4pm and with the gas, i wasnt a 100%, plus that it was 2 weeks early and i wanted more time.
It's so annoying that doctors/hospitals do it at their convenience and suggest ceaser to make things easier for them. and we have to live with our disappointment.
i wanted to deliver on all 4s but lakshman's heart rate kept dropping so i was seated, propped up.
time to express, gladys the cow is busy now.

Great news girls, we went to see the lactation consultant and she weighed DJ and he has put on 250gm overnight, so now weighing 3.3kg. His original birth weight was 3.5kg then he dropped down to 3.05kg so I was over the moon when I saw the result :dance: :dance: I told her I expressed breast milk 9 times in 24 hours and she said that was way too much and to cut it back and to feed him 6 times in 24 hours or let him demand feed. I wasn't sure how much breast milk he was getting so that is why I was expressing. But another bit of great news, we headed to the shops and he was searching around for my boobs and then sucked them dry!!!! :dance: I was so happy that my milk is finally coming through. The LC also gave me script for molitin (excuse spelling) so started taking that this afternoon and in his feed tonight, I sprayed him on his chin haha so they have already kicked in. Yipeeeeeee DJ is a bit unsettled tonight though, keeps wanting the breast, and I have given him so much, so we tried a dummy and talk about a duck to water, he loved it and it settled him down immediately.

Since DJ is settled I have time for some personals kehehehe

SJ - I haven't felt like it yet only because I was so tired from expressing all of that milk. I always thought you had to wait 6 weeks after the birth even if it was a c-section??? I have a bit of thrush and what feels like a UTI arghhh so I am thinking I will hold off from it for a few weeks. We have both been so busy with DJ we haven't even contemplated sex yet.

Jade - sorry to hear you had a terrible night, I hope you get a good night tonight so you can catch-up on some sleep.

Prama - don't beat yourself up, you are the best mum and I agree with SJ, you are always looking at what you can do to make sure he gets what he needs, so don't feel upset. DJ has thrown up his milk a few times and I am like, you know how long it took for your mummy to express that milk haha As for playtime, we were told to give him DJ 5-10 mins tummy time. He doesn't enjoy it for that long, but trying to do it everyday. Going to start reading to him as well, when I put him down for a sleep.

Lisa - yeah expressing is great providing you have a good pump. I was originally using Pigeon but it was soooooo sore to express, so I bought the Avent Electric Breast pump and it pumps it out much quicker and painfree. I am going to Babies Galore at some stage this week to get those ice-cube trays to freeze the breast milk for emergencies.

SJ - that is sooooo good that your health visit went well and Molly Jane is putting on weight as well. It feels great to see them putting on weight :) And what a nice idea to go away for the easter weekend. We have my mum and brother moving in temporarily (for a few weeks) so it will be a bit chaotic for a few days but going to a bbq on Easter Monday which will be good and mum offered to look after DJ if we wanted to go out for dinner or something.

Jo - wow that is a fantastic weight gain for Caitlin, you must be soooo over the moon. I know I was when DJ was weighed today.

Question - has anyone gotten thrush or a UTI? I spoke to my mum about it and she said that can happen, she got thrush and a UTI after the birth of me as well. Mine is more of a burning sensation when I pee though....

Sorry if I missed anyone.....

Big hugs to all
Shell xxx

Shell - I have the Avent one too, an electric one......Love it!!!!

Shell - your urethra will be a bit irritated from the catheter and it will feel a bit weird to wee for a while, also the filling and then empting of the bladder is a weird sensation as we have not been able to do it for a while due to pressure of being pg. HOWEVER having a catheter increases the risk of a UTI as it is introducing a 'foreign body' to the area... try cranberry juice. if it is just a burning senstaion, it may well be trauma and will settle although it still feels a bit weird to wee for me and i am 2 weeks down the track... if your frequency of going to the toilet increases and you are only doing a tiny bit, it may be a UTI and you may need antis.
Also try using a baby wipe or something similar after going to the toilet to help clean/freshen and relieve the area.

HTH :)