Babies Born ~ December 2014

If you can manage a decent sleep over night you are better able to manage during the day with an unsettled baby. Good idea keeping bub away from potential germs. My 3yr old doesn't go to playgroup but does to preschool. I'm looking forward to that returning and school.

DS occasionally takes a dummy. Not always but sometimes he does. He gave me very deliberate smile today when my mum was holding him. He did it twice. So adorable. My girls were all a little older.

TT40 I get the 1.5hr drive been nothing. Living rural all my life and out of town we have to travel to go anywhere. Until I started maternity leave it was a 50km drive to work. I would prefer to do that in 30mins however then take 30mins to drive 5kms :)

Yep mildez, my commute to work is 1hr 15mins. But it is that at 100km/hr on open road, would choose that anyday over 1hr stuck in traffic. I use to live in Sydney and my 15km commute use to take 45mins on a good day, was hell

Back in hospital :( bubs has been off his food, and with the hot weather, has been very lethargic. High temp. So will be 48 hours to rule out the risk of infection.

My grandparents live in Dubbo. Hoping to visit them sometime before bubs is crawling. I grew up "only" 8 hours from there, so I also understand the distances thing.

DS needs a hip ultrasound too. No risk factors that I know of, just sounds a little clicky.

Hubby has been back at work for three weeks. Miss him terribly, keep telling him he should retire soon. Mum is home, too, missing her as well. Then had Dad stay for a week.

We had milk spots break out at 2.5 weeks. Best thing I found was coconut oil, cleared it up pretty quickly.

Mildez - thanks for the encouragement. Even in hospital (a "baby friendly" hospital at that) I had a nurse ask me "Why don't you just give up?" I didn't know it would be this much struggle, but I'm glad we didn't. Things are slowly improving, he is definitely preferring the breast. If only I could double my milk!

Rosey - that's perfectly understandable putting him on his side if it eases things for him. I've put bub on his tummy to stop him wiggling in his sleep so much. Has the midwife or dr given any indication why he is so unsettled?

Part 2 - long comments are a pain to type on the phone

Peakaboo - jealous of your routine! Our little man spent 9 nights in special care, too, but the routine didnt stick too long. Are you breast or bottle feeding?

TT40 - how are you going with bonding with bubs? Your birth story made it sound like you'd found it a bit hard.

Mildez - your comment about your midwife thinking you had low supply caught my attention. How are things going now? What does she suggest to help the supply? Obviously he is getting enough if he is gaining weight, it's just the cluster feeds that are inconvenient. I'm curious to learn what is suggested for this, as this could be me second (or third) time around.

Home from hospital.

I joked that it was like having a holiday in ur favourite hotel. Baby friendly, no housework, great room service, and free!

Staying in paediatric is much easier than the special care nursery. Single room for both of us, left to our own devices. Only thing we couldn't do was co-sleep. I was worried they would try to put him on a schedule, which he doesn't respond well to at all, but we really could just do our own thing. Nurses told me off for letting him sleep 8 hours overnight, he usually sleeps 6, he had been unwell and had hardly slept the day before, I knew he was fine so wasn't waking him! If only I had got 8 hours tho...

Everything is fine with DS. All tests came back negative, so we were able to stop the antibiotics. Since then tho he has been a bit unsettled, lots of dirty nappies. Hard to say if its antibiotics or formula doing that to him.

Just when I decided to start cloth nappies, too!

How is everyone else doing?

TD ~ so good to hear your lil man is ok. Hopefully the nappies settle down for you. Yea my bonding with bub has been a struggle, but the last few days have been an improvement. We are getting there =)

M ~ how was your trip?

TT - sorry it has taken a while. Is she smiling now?

Turtledove glad to hear your DS is all good. I'm sorry he's got an upset tummy. My boy suffers with bad wind pains, I'm considering using a probiotic, maybe that's a consideration for you too? To counteract the antibiotics.

Turtledove I am sorry to hear you were back in hospital with your DS. Glad to hear your home again and he is doing well. How is the feeding going? Is he needing more formula or have you been able to increase your supply? The LC I saw I believer thought my supply was low because the amount DS was feeding. And feeding for a long feed each time not just a top up. He usually feeds for 30mins at least and will demand a feed every 2-3hrs. He doesn't tend to go more then 2hours during the day sometimes only 1-1.5hrs although he does go longer over night fortunately. When we give him a bottle of EBM (its usually only 20-30mls) he scoffs it within 20secs. Like his starving. I struggle to express as a part of my pump is missing so I only hand express. Its a medela so a good one and right now I am struggling financially due to my unexpected dental expense so I can just whip out and buy things anymore :( DS is 4weeks tomorrow. He is starting to look much chubbier although still in 0000 clothing with probably a few weeks left before needing the next size up. He hasn't been weighed for 2 weeks now and wont until he is immunised in another 2.5weeks. We are still struggling with lactose overload. He poo's explosive water poo's around 15plus times within 24hrs poor darling. The frequent feeding is not helping.

TT we had a lovely time in Coota. DH friends were lovely people and our kids got along really well which was lovely. We are heading back to pick up some stuff in a few months when I can afford it. Glad to hear the last few days has been better with your DD. I am sure I would definitely struggle too with an unexpected c/s. Its a lot to get your head around and not what most of us would choose if we get an option.

I've had some concerns about DS development. Just hope its my anxiety talking and nothing serious. Apart from that I can tell his putting on weight. He is feeding well and mostly easy to settle although has a witch hour around 7-10pm. I think its mostly because that's my busy time with the other kids, cooking, animals etc and he picks up on that. I need to get a sling for him as the one I have is not suitable for his size. Anyone know a good affordable sling for a little baby?

Mildez - just a quick reply. I wouldn't get a sling as I found they give you a sore back and don't leave you hands free. Try a hug-a-bub, elki baby wrap, ergo wrap, happy baby wrap...

Will look at those slings thanks Rosey.

I currently have mastitis :(

How is everyone? How are your December babes?

How's your DS feeding. My boy feeds frequently also, but I think it's because he's a big boy. I find it so hard to know why they do things though. Have your concerns eased regarding your DS's development?

DS grunts and groans all night long. Wakes every hour lately too and is often unhappy between midnight and 4am, unhappy to be put down. My MW said that the grunting is normal and as for not being able to be put down he probably just wants to be held. Got tips for feeding to reduce it flowing back up and reducing wind. I'm so tired. My DD has been acting up a bit too, hitting me :( so unlike her. I just don't have the time for her like I use too. These early weeks are hard.

Rosey - yes, we have been giving him a probiotic since he was in hospital the first time & given antibiotics. Hard to tell if it is helping, but at least the nappies have settled down. Have you tried a probiotic yet?

Mildez - is it unusual for a baby to want to feed that often? When was your DH born? Breastfeeding is such a complicated dance, but so worthwhile. Sorry to hear about your mastitis. How is that going?
I didn't have much success with a moby wrap. I felt like his head wasn't supported, and always needed one hand to hold him. He didnt like his head squished to the side. We now have a Manduca, which we love! It has a built in newborn insert, much cooler than the ergo. It cost me $150 from bellas little ones. If that is still out of budget, you could look into woven wraps, and perhaps even make your own.

We having to supplement more with formula :( I thought we were getting close to 50:50, but turns out he wasn't getting enough, which is why we ended up in hospital. He has been fighting the bottle, only drinking 30mL at a time, so I assumed he wasn't hungry. Sleep, repeat 30 mins - hour later. Then he'd get too hungry to sleep, too tired to feed. And cry if I wasn't rocking him. A friend in NZ gifted me with a Skype consult with her lactation consultant, which was amazing. She showed us how he was wearing out from each feed, especially breastfeeding, and didnt have the energy to continue. So now we have a plan to ensure he is getting what he needs, facilitates breastfeeding, and boosts my supply. Feeling much more confident, wish I had spoken to her weeks ago!

Heard some sad news the other day. Acquaintances of my mums had their second little girl a few days after our DH was born (early Dec). She died from cot death on the weekend.

My heart cries for them. Makes me want to snuggle my little boy so much more, and be thankful for every fussy session and struggle.

I haven't tried a probiotic yet turtledove, must get to a health food store. I really am not very productive lately. What one are you using if I may ask?

Is a Manduca similar to an ergo? I have an ergo but not the newborn insert, found I couldn't use it till Bubs is older previously. The ergo is hot, I agree. I hope your plan goes just how you want it too. Awesome to hear your feeling more confident!

That is very tragic news. Was the baby sick or anything? That's so scary, I worry about that of a night given the weird noises he makes. Yes it does give a nice reminder to cherish even the hard times.

Well I'm here trying to get DS down again for the 50th time today. He's barely slept bar a cat nap here and there. Much like last night.

Rosey - it's called "BabyBiotic" from the health shop. Cost $40, but should last ages (months) as you only use a tiny bit at a time. It's a powder, we mix it in his bottles twice a day.

You must be so exhausted if he still isn't sleeping. It would be hard to feel productive if he is only catnapping. Are you exclusively breastfeeding?

Yes, the Manduca is similar to the ergo. Google "Manduca vs ergo" and you'll see why I picked it over the ergo.

As far as I know the baby wasn't sick. They live in a remote, very hot part of Australia, so not sure if that caused anything. I can't even imagine it :(

Turtledove can I assume you mean when was my DS (darling son) born not DH (husband)? DS is 1month today. DH was born in 81 :)
Yes I think its not uncommon for bubs to frequently BF although its definitely a lot of comfort feeding more then I am starving feeding. I am just starting to get over mastitis which I have had many times in the past. The frequent feeding is definitely a contributing factor. That's so incredibly sad about the little baby that passed away. In my line of work I have known many many babies to die from SIDS. The vast majority of those there have been contributing factors although it can definitely happen to anyone. I am certainly paranoid about it which is why I have a monitor on my bub.

Ah yes, I meant DS. Sorry!

Maybe I should just speak English rather than tech speak :)

Hehe turtledove. Just wanted to make sure it was my son you were asking the age of not my husband hehe. Happy to tell you how old he is. How is your son going? I gather he is smiling and starting to chat now? My son has cracked a few smiles but its a pretty rare moment. His also starting to make some different noises now.