Babies Born October 2007 #4

Kim, Also... have you tried massaging your breast whilst you express? because there is milk further up in the breast and I did that when I was expressing plus I have been squeezing the side of my breast whilst Rochelle is on it and she starts showing signs of frustration... seems to keep her content a little longer. Also maybe try some of that 'Rescue Remedy' - maybe your too stressed to let down and I read here on BB that many women have success with it. If things don't improve for me over the next few days, I'll be heading to my Dr to get a script to increase my supply... Maybe if BF'ing is something you really want you could try this avenue too? Goodluck for today and I hope today is better for you. Make sure you drink, eat plenty and 'try' rest as much as your two little ones permit!

KateP - We had the same sort of night actually! Ro didn't go to sleep until 11.30 and had been up since 5pm. But she was a gem the rest of the night... :)

A question for the FF'ers - A gf yesterday was telling me about formula you can get that makes them sleep longer during the night... Is anyone using that?

Well I hope everyone has a lovely day!

Leah that is the first time I've ever heard someone say that would use my name for their child, Makes me feel better about having a unusual name :D

Thanks Amber & Ange for the compliments as well :)

Kim at least 10mls is something, means you still have milk, what kind of pump are you using?

Catherine I've never heard of the formula Maddi is on the Karicare Gold & sleep's fine at night time with it.

For the FF's how long does a can usually last you?

I try to get things going again...some how!

I use a Medela Manual pump thats got the electric attatchment.

Can on Formula lasts me about 2 weeks. Our local chemist has Karicare Gold on special this week so i just got 2 cans for Jas and 2 for Chelsea

I used the Avent Isis pump first & then i used the Medela electric one i hired.
Sometimes i found the Avent one worked better, not sure why.

Maybe try put a heat pack & massaging or having a warm shower then expressing.
How often are you trying to pump?

How much are they going for at your Chemist at the chemist warehouse i think they are usually $20-$22.

Catherine and Kim - I really admire your persistance, I think you are both doing so well. Lots of people would have given up by now and in the end if formula is what keeps your bub happy and healthy then I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
Kim, do you think a doctor or someone could help? It sounds like stress might be a factor for you - is there anyone close by that could help out with the girls every now and then?

Liliyangel - just looked at Maddi's website, she is gorgeous!! She has lots of black hair like my baby! I love little hairy babies - did Maddi have hair on his arms and shoulders? Mateo did and we cracked up laughing - he looked like a little monkey! Thankfully most of it has fallen out now! :-)

PetaChristy - It is very small things we get excited about now isn't it? :-) I'm off to get a wax today and I can't wait to feel smooth again - legs so hairy!! Am with Ange but and am steering clear of brazil, just a bit too tender down there yet!

Mateo seems to have fallen into a bit of routine which is great - basically sleeps 3-4 hours then feeds. Has a lovely, content awake time at around 10ish in the morning and then from 7 to 10ish at night is very unsettled - feeds and screams on and off for the whole time, we can't put him down or he turns into a scary, roaring monster and then finally crashes for the night. Is anyone else having a regular unsettled, screaming time every day? It doesn't actually bother me too much but it is frustrating that either of us just have to sit or walk with him the whole time and he won't stay in the sling either as he wants to be fed on and off and moved into different positions the whole time. Talk about demanding!!! :-)

Anyway, enough rambling..... sorry for the essays from me lately. You can tell I don't have many friends with babies!! :-)

Morning everyone!

Mo - I love your name too! Most of us hate our names though, I hate my full name, Patricia, only my mum calls me that!

Kim - You do what is right for you and your bub, whether that means FF or BF, don't feel bad if you have to FF, you gave it a great shot!

Boomba - My sister & DH named their bub Kara Grace. She is so cute! No word as of last night if her SIL had her bub. I hope they share the same birthday!

Kate - I hope you ended up getting some sleep last night!

Kieran did pretty well last night. He went 4 hours between feeds, I am hoping he will go 5 hours o'night soon. DH went back to work today and so far the house hasn't collapsed! Actually, it's been a lot calmer around here this morning! Kieran is on the floor enjoying some tummy time which is weird because Joel used to hate tummy time. My mum is coming over this morning with my sister's 2 year old son (while sis is still in hospital) so Joel will have lots of fun. I'm taking Kieran to the MCHN at 11:30am, I can't wait to find out if he is still growing well (I'm sure he is!).

catherine - jj is supposed to go for his (almost) 4 week check this afternoon, plus he's been a spewy louie so i may have to see how it all works out. will txt if we're coming round. had a carp afternoon, early evening because gigantor got a bee in his bonnet and cried for 3 hours (2-5pm). i went insane so dh took him. he regrouped for an hour and screamed another 2 hours (6-8).

he still gets a blocked nose at dawn and dusk, so it makes him feral because he can't sleep.

what is`amazing is that he turns around and sleeps 6+4 hours last night. how does that work? i scored 3 spews on me at 2am. it's good luck.

kim - hope you're feeling better. bf is a complicated road at best. you're not a failure because u gave it a red-hot go. let's see what eating, drinking and rest can do for you.

ange - i was curious about the 6-week check myself. like i haven't had enough lights shone up my cha cha lately. suppose i've got to do it.

Thanks Trish :)

Star Maddi was very hairy. Arms, back & butt crack lol it's all pretty much gone now thank goodness & thanks for the compilments about Maddi, Mateo is adorable :D

Star - Yep, Kieran was pretty hairy too! It must be a thing with bubs with a good head of hair. Joel had no hair until he turned two so I was really surprised how much hair Kieran had when he came out! Sounds like you are going through the evening "arsenic hour". Joel was a shocker too, we had to take turns eating and take turns carrying him, shifting him into a million different positions trying to appease him. So far Kieran doesn't do that, but that doesn't mean he won't start doing it soon!

Please tell me it gets better. Day from hell yesterday. I was so looking forward to my guests coming around, but in the end it turned out to be all too much for me and for L. L slept about 3 hours in the morning and only grabbed an hour or less at a time in the afternoon and evening. At about 8pm he was screaming so hard we loaded him into the car and what do you know the sod went to sleep. Driving aimlessly around the city just to make sure it lasted. But no he woke up when we were getting him out of the car :( Anyway, the boob did the trick, but by this time it was close to 10pm.

He woke up at just before 2am and I have not had a good sleep since then. I did manage to put him down just before 8.30am, so he has been down for about an hour. Please (begs to God), can I get another couple of hours. DH is also still in bed, so am using this time to express. Seriously thinking about making up some formula as well. L has only had it once and apparently it knocked him out.

I use the Avent ISIS IQ. Pretty happy with it so far, only use it once or twice a day so not a heavy user. Someone told me that manual pumping gets a better output than electric. Does anyone have any experience that this is the case?

Star - we also have a regular unsettled time.. usually between about 8.30 and 11.30... DH is the only one that can really settle her... I think the smell of my milk makes her more frustrated.. Mateos behaviour during his unsettled time sounds exactly the same as Tahlias

Last night she finally settled at around 11.30, then slept till 3.30 and woke for a feed, and then slept till 7.30. Then fell asleep again after her 7.30 feed... she is due to wake up any minute!

For the Vic girls - I'd also be interested in a catch up

jj is being incredibly difficult this week. only wants to sleep on me during the day. sleeps fine at night. not so practical for me...

my beautiful little boy is an angel. its brag time sorry ladies:)
for the last week his night sleeps have started between 9.30 and 10.30pm and have lasted from the 1st night 4 hrs, 5 hrs, 6 hrs, 6 hrs 10hrs, 7 hrs, and last night 8 hrs, what a little champion, i just make sure he has a big feed when i put him down but i just couldnt ask for anything more. he is so lovely:) and there is new pics on my facebook at this address for anyone who wants a looksy
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about the logan meetup, i just cant wait, it will be so nice to see all of you guys!!:)

We just had 2 week (at 3 weeks...lol) CHN check up. Feel even worse now. Jasmine has something wrong with one of her hips....its getting rechecked next week...and if not good news she will be checked at 6 weeks, again if not good then she has to go for ultrasounds. On top of that she has only gained 120grams in a week and nurse is bit concerned about that *falied mum again*. I have to increase her milk to 125-135ml now. MUST be woke every 4 hours at the max to be fed even thru the night, so have to set an alarm.

Jas is now 4kg, 54cm. I thought her weight gain was great but nurse thinks otherwise.

Im starting to doubt myself as a mum and this whole BF thing...so i guess ill be joinging the full time FF real soon. Gee...if i cant get my kid to gain weight with EBM and formula then i am better off just FF. Least i know she is then getting the food and i dont have to worry bout wat my body is doing wrong for her growth.

Last ngiht Jas fed at 9pm..went to sleep at 11pm and never woke til 7am. I guess thats the last of long sleeps now i have to wake :(

Saffi when i was using manual pump i couldnt get anything out!!!

if it's any consolation kim, i'm starting to get really jack of bf. we didn't have any problems or supply issues with feeding, i just get nothing from it and i'm starting to get really frustrated with it.

some mums get this euphoria and happy joy joys, i don't feel anything about it. he asks, i feed. it is a trapped feeling. there are definitely benefits to FF as well, so don't sweat it.

today i'm tempted to switch over to FF myself.

Hi girls,
I am using a manual pump to express. I make sure that i can relax enough and look at toby and imagine i am feeding him and away the milk flows. Hot face washers can help and massage the breast while expressing as well. Even a photo of bub can help,, as weird as all htat sounds. Make sure that you eat and drink enough during the day and have a rest when you can. I breastfed both the girls as much as I could and hopefully will with Toby.
Hope you all hae a 'productive' day,
Love Bec

Hey Kim

We have the exact same problem here. In hospital, we were told Chels has clicky hips (apparantly it is quite common). We had to take her for an ultra sound on them last Wednesday (she was an angel for it!). Was supposed to get the results from my Dr yesterday, but the xrays got sent to the wrong place, so have to wait until next Wednesday! Grrrr! Was not happy, I have been worrying all week, now I have to worry for a whole nother week too!!
She did say while we were getting the ultra sound, that her left leg is fine, but her right leg, definately is not completely in the socket. Just have to find out from my Dr how serioous that is, and what we can do to help it! My friends little boy had it at birth too, and he had to wear a hip brace for 12 weeks! I am hoping and praying that it is not that bad!!!! Hoping it is just a matter of keeping an eye on it! **Fingers Crossed**. Find out next Wednesday anyway! :(

Oh good luck Becky....When i seen the nurse looking over her right hip over and over again...i could see somethign was wrong by looking at her face. She kept saying Jasmines creases were different (on her legs) but they lined up. I guess just have to wait and see.

Friend i went to school with was a breech bub and she was in braces for months and months too when she was born. But all fine now :D


ETA: Just remembered you asking the cost of the formula Mo from the chemist... it was $19.99 so no cheaper then wat ur paying. I did get Chelsea's Gold toddler Gold milk for $14.95 though!! The normal Karicare from birth (not Gold) was $14.95 too

Thanks Kim - I really hope everything is ok with Jas too!Im just so annoyed cause I thought I would have some answers yesterday, but now have to wait another week! Grrrr!

So sorry to read that some of you gals are feeling low....please don't be too hard on yourselves this mothering business is damn hard. I had a huge meltdown last week but feeling better this week.

Please don't feel bad abt the BF caper I didn't even manage 2 days and the FFing ain't so bad - Maddi and I have great bonding moments when she is feeding...........staring into each other's eyes, she holds my hand and I can see exactly how much she has.....


Kim - hope there is nothing to worry abt with Jas' hip, did she say what her concerns were? You are a fantastic mum too, try not too stress and we are all here for you as well

Mo - our tin lasts abt 2 weeks, Maddi has 5-6 feeds a day and has 120ml each feed.

Catherine - the formula i think you asked abt is called Novalac Sweet Dreams i haven't used it but I'm using Novalac Reflux and it comes with a little brouchure abt their products and it says it promotes a restful sleep but the temperature is the key........not sure what that means.....but so far I like the Reflux one if that helps.

Not sure who asked abt the Sydney meetup, but there is one happening on Monday at Parramatta that Claire has arranged. Hopefully if she comes online soon she could fill you in with more info or perhaps we could arrange another meetup.

So far things are going alright here with the new formula - Maddi has no problem drinking and it does seem to have lessened the amt of spews. We still have 'witching' hour here from around 8pm - 10.30 but once asleep she goes till abt 3.30/4pm - which isn't so bad.

Question Time

Has anyone's babies eyes started to change colour? I think Maddi's are changing from blue to dark brown.

I have another question - Do you think its true what they say, how you forget about labour when you have your bub?
I think its true, you do forget (except you Ninja...... :) )
I mean, of course I remember how painful and everything it was, but you do tend to forget the intensity of it all. I already find myself going, "yeah I could do that again." What do you think?

I said :That was easy...can do that again'....after Chelsea....after Jasmine im like 'Man never again'...LOL....i remember much more this time round

*hugs* kim! - sounds a bit like us in the feeding department, for about a week I was b/feeding, topping up with EBM & formula, yet she still wasn't gaining, plus feeding so often 'cause the poor little chicken was so dam hungry! I was stressing, she was fretting and DH was stressed = entire family in a bad mood :( Switching to FF 100% wasn't one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but the best one!! And as Ursula said, we still have wonderful bonding moments and she knows who her mummy is!! I have seen her face light up when she has seen me when a 'stranger' is holding her...

Viv - I always thought I would be a milking machine, but turned out I wasn't and honestly I am enjoying FF. I get bonding time with Kaylee and it's FAB! And she knows her mummy - see comments to Kim above... BUT if I need a break I can get DH or my mum to feed her! And that break is a blessing believe me.

We having 'witching' several hours most evenings - but after that Kaylee is sleeping a lot better and for longer. Last night she slept for 6-hours horray!!
6-week check this arvo, will let you know how it goes!!

Kim - I would be happy with 120g...as long as she is happy and making enough wet nappies. Sometimes the MCHN get a bit caught up in the graphs and stats YK? Eliza always only put on 100-200g each fortnight when she was going to the clininc and my MCHN never mentioned anything was wrong. Some bubbas are just smaller YK :) Hope Jasmine's hip is OK. We would love to see you here in Dec!!

Viv - I am sorry you are feeling down about BF. Not sure what to say, can you speak to your local ABA or your Middy?

Re: Labour memory, you do forget - its natures way of getting us to have more than one LOL!

Amara's unsettled time is also like other bubbas here about 8pm to midnight. LAst night another MASSIVE spew all over me and surrounds. Then a bath, feed and I did manage to get her in bed by about 11.30pm without massive screamings which was a bonus. DH is starting to get jack of not having time in the evenings, he needs to work or just relax......sigh as if I don't???????? This too shall pass, this too shall pass................

Thanks Kim & Ursula, A can last Maddi about 9 days.

Kim your not a failure, you gave b/f your best shot & that's all you could do.
Hope everything is ok with Jasmine's hip.

Becky i agree, i feel i could do again maybe not the pushing part..
Good luck with the ultrasound results.

Ursula, i think Maddi's are starting to change, looks like she'll have brown eyes but still have my fingers crossed she'll get my green eyes.

Saffi when i used the manual pump sometimes i got more milk.

Maddi had her 8 week check up today, She's now 4.7kg & 56cms long. The nurse was happy with her progress we don't see her again till 13th of dec.

Would all the Vic girls be interested in meet-up this year or early next year?

Those ladies coming to the Brisbane/GC meet up when it happens and your bubs are still in the newborn huggies nappies if you want a cheap box for $30, I have one sitting here!! Rhys is already in the Infant size.

Mo i think early new yr would be good meet up time for us Vic's!!

The end of the yr always gets so hectic

Leah..see what we can arrange for visiting ya!

Kim/Becky- my niece now 4 had clicky hips when she was a bub and like becky's friend wore a cast/splint for a period of time. It was fixed thru this process and 4 years on you wouldn't know she had a problem. The cast was a bit awkward and she looked a bit odd - but it fixed her hip so was worth it in the end. I know it is not something that you need atm, but at least if it does turn out to be a problem it has been picked up now and not months or years down the track. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you both.

Viv - I'm starting to question bf too. I have actually just finished giving him formula in the hope he sleeps more than an hour. He spends so long at my boob, but I think it is mainly comfort sucking and only gets the foremilk which doesn't knock him out like the hind milk. I am also thinking that I will express more often so get the hind milk into him that way. I really want to keep with the bf but won't be too upset if it doesn't take. He only put on 150gr last week and after what Kim has been told am now concerned he is not getting enough! Agree with Lizzy's comments about nurses and stats and graphs!

Kim - keep your chin up. You are doing the best you can which from here is looks pretty impressive, given you are juggling 2 babies. I am barely coping with one!

L only slept an hour last time, so hopefully with the formula I can get more than an hour out of him. Think I will try to get some zzzs myself.

That's what i was thinking Kim, that way we can arrange a day/time we can all meet-up.
I know we live pretty close Kim but where does everyone else live?
Ange i know you live around frankston.

amelia, if you havent opened the box you should be able to take it to where you bought it and swap it for the bigger size(which in the box is the crawler 6-11kgs) and just buy the littler packs of infant until he is in crawlers:) i think lachie is almost out of my huggies newborn and i will do the same cos i have a random spare box.

Kaylee's 6-week check = all GOOD :)!!
weight = 4.65kg
length = 55cm
head circ. = 38.5cm
She is spot on the average line for weight & height for girls her age, & just above the line for head circ.

misskate - I can't remember where I got them from!! I have already returned 2 boxes to get the infant packs. I think it is the one I got as one of my presents from my baby shower.

just take it back to anywhere:) all have same barcode noone would know.
ps how many boxes did you get geez

Hello Octo-mums and Octo-bubs! :D

Sorry I've been MIA...life has been incredibly hectic for the last couple of weeks and I haven't had a minute to get on the computer until now.

We took India away on her first mini-holiday, 3 days up the north coast...bliss for all of us! She travelled brilliantly and lurrrved being in the great outdoors...obviously takes after her Ma and Pa ;)

We also had my Dad and brother come up from Melbourne to stay for about 10 days. They are infatuated with India and she was lapping up all the attention.

She is still putting on weight like a champion and has grown about 6cms in 4 weeks :o She's sleeping for 6+4 hours almost every night which is wonderful - doesn't sleep for more than a few hours during the day though so my hands are always full! She's been smiling and cooing for a couple of weeks - makes my heart melt every time :heartbeat:

Anthony and I are loving being parents. India always has us in stitches...it's amazing how such a little person who doesn't speak and poos her pants 10 times a day can be so damn funny :lol:

And we're even back to DTD like rabbits! :redface: Geez, it was a long 4 weeks... LMAO

Great to see that everyone is doing well. I've got a lot of gossip to catch up on and plenty of Octo-bub photos to gawk at, so I'm off. I hope to be around more often and will attempt some personals soon!

mo - i can't believe maddi is 8 weeks already. where did all the time go???

i went to the gp today to see if we could get jj's cold sorted. got some baby drops and the little guy is sleeping... :confetti: the doc seemed to think his sleep deprivation from waking up when his little snout gets blocked is what's wearing me out and making me resent feeding so much.

i have decided he's probably right. i'm still going to get a pump and start stock piling at least. i would like john to be able to feed him when it's necessary. so at least then mummy can go to the hairdressers or something...

catherine - that dr you suggested is fuggin awesome. worth every penny of that $58. he took as long as we needed and was very thorough. i feel 100% better just having confirmed my suspicions re: james with him. i told him you referred me. even john liked him, and that's a big ask, given both our dad's were doctors in their day, and he's a fussy hen about things like that.

i'm happy for him to be the baby's doctor, not sure if i'm down with having him as mine... yanno, that male doctor thing. *shivers*

Viv- Glad James is getting some rest so his sleep deprived mumma can catch some zzzzz's too, or at least have 5 min to herself! I don't "love" BF either. Don't get me wrong i love the fact i am able to feed her, but i don't feel all warm and fuzzy about it, and sometimes its a PITA. i feel like all i do is sit on the couch with my boobs hanging out asking for someone to bring me a glass of water. I guess the main reasons i persist are related to the fact i am lazy. boobs are easy and transportable and i don't have to sterilize them! But horses for courses.

Great to hear all is well with you and India Belle.

Peta- noice measurements, slightly larger than av head, gonna be smart!

Mo- I could do before chrissy if others were keen. Our business plans in Tassie have fallen through, poo to them! :( Not sure when we are heading off from here or where we are headed to. But if i'm around after chrissy love to catch up then too.

Can't remember what else....

Had OB checkup today. Mostly asked how everything was going, if i was coping, how she was feeding, is she putting on weight, am i doing PVE's, have i had intercourse, talked about contraception etc.
i asked a few qn's. he thinks i likely fractured coccyx, (have previosly as a teenager) it's not unheard of with child birth, will heal with time.
Asked how my stitches were, i said fine, all gone. So no internal, no more looking up hoohar, amen to that.
He checked my tummy, poked around, said i had impressive muscles for someone who had just given birth! Noice. :P
Checked BP.................. NORMAL yipee to that.
Asked if i would do it all again! Ha.

Oh one other thing we talked about, i seem to have the feeling i need to pee when bladder is not full. Kind of like when you get a UTI. He said Bladder and uterus can get irritated when BF'ing, due to low eastrogen levels. Will resolve when BF stops.

Unsettled time is about over. 5-9pm ish. Every night for a while now. Wants to be held, wants boob, doesn't want boob, sucks a bit, squarks, sucks some more, squarks more. I bath her and she falls asleep between 9-10 for the night. DH has her as i type and watch that dance show. :)

Im good to meet up before Xmaz (as long as its after 6th Dec) im good for Tues, Weds and Thurs only tho....or weekends :)

Feeling really down and so upset. Mum called earlier to tell me our dog of 14 years had to be put down tonight. he had been coughing frothy stuff, dad raced him to the vet, poor thing couldnt breathe, and no matter what he was given never responded to drugs. Vet said dad could pay thousands but only expected him to live another 2 weeks maximum. Poor Bundy..RIP puppy :(:(

Oh poor you Kim. Losing a pet is devestating! My dog is 12 too, and pretty sick so Im dreading the time when he has to be put down too. Hugs. :(

I love FF too! Breast feeding has never been for me! My DS was FF from the beginning, and he is thriving! Never been sick either (oh sorry, he had a cold about 6 months ago - LOL) Thats it!
And so far, Chels is growing like a little trooper too! I find there are many opportunitied to bond, without needing to BF! Trust me you guys who are switching, its not the end of the world!!! :)

Kim - so sorry to hear abt your puppy. I'm sending you lots of good vibe wishes to help you feel better.





On a selfish note......................................I have one thing to say............................ARRGHHH!!!!!!

Maddison was awake from 7pm - 12.30am last night - for the first time ever I had NO idea what was wrong, thankfully once asleep she slept to 6.44am had a bottle and is back to sleep.

Must dash - got to take James to school..

Ange glad your appointment went well, Hope your coccyx heals soon.

Viv i have no idea where the time went, Maddi goes for her 2 month vacinations next week.
Glad you found a great baby doctor.

Kim sorry to hear about your dog, we had to get our little dog out down just afer Maddi arrived, he had this huge lump on his side, he couldn't walk right & was in pain.
Would of cost thousands to fix him :(

Belle good to see you around again.

Peta Kaylee is almost catching up to Maddi with all of her stats. Glad the appointment went well.

As for the meet-up i'm fine for when ever you gals want to do it, i have no life lol.