Babies born~April 16th-30th 2010 #1

[~kellie~]

hello ladies!

Majella - I'm also finding it hard with my toddler, she is getting a little jealous, and has been a bit rough at times. I've found that she wants to help out with Lewis, so when she does we really make a big deal about how she is the best big sister and the best helper, but its very hard! I cant leave them alone for a second! I'm dreading next week when DH is back at work cause we will be stuck at home as I cant drive

tan - way to go on the weight gain! Sounds like you've got an excellent supply to me, no need for you to feel the mummy guilts at all! I wouldnt listen to the CHN about overfeeding, just keep doing what your doing... dont they say breastfed bubs cant be overfed?

maranui - on the feeding to sleep thing, I think at this age its quite a hard thing not to do. I know with Lewis sometimes he doesnt have any awake time after his feed, he goes straight back to sleepy land. I'm also trying to stick with the feed play sleep thing, as my DD got used to feeding to sleep and it was a hard habit to break later on, but it is very hard at this age!

Kirley - glad to hear that the feeding is going well again, its definitely hard work so good on you for sticking with it. When it feels a bit hard, just remember it does get easier and easier the older they get! I also know what you mean about little boys, I think Lewis has been through about 3 sets of clothes today!

Phoenix - welcome! Looking forward to hearing all about your little bundle!

AFM - had my first nurse visit yesterday, and Lewis is now 60 grams above his birth weight which she was quite pleased about. have to get him checked again next Friday so it will be interesting to see how he goes

Question for all the B/fing mummas - how long is each feed taking? Sometimes he'll only drink for about 10 minutes and then not want any more? He must be getting enough though, cause he'll usually last at least 3 hours till his next feed?

[lilmisshavachat]

Hi Ladies..

Mind if I join too.. My little boy Ethan Boh was born the 18th April.. I had been stalking your bellie buddies group but hadn"t posted as Ethan was an IVF baby and we hung out in the LTTTC & AC thread... I wished I had joined in at the end.. I find I am needing something to do as i"m expressing and the bottle feeding with a top up of fomula when I need to as we are still trying to get my milk in fully.. Ethan was 4.89kg, 56cms long with a HC of 36cms.. We had a drug free birth of 12h 45mins but need ventouse at the end which left me with a 3rd degree tear.. I wasn"t stitched properly and lost 3.5 litres of blood and ended up in the ICU... We are going ok now but just really want him to start taking the breast to feed... I would love the extra sleep.. Well pumping is done better keep moving...

[~kellie~]

welcome lilmisshavachat! and congrats on the arrival of Ethan! Of course you can join in, the more the merrier! Glad to hear you are on the mend and good luck with the b/fing!

[Kirley64]

Hi Ladies..

Mind if I join too.. My little boy Ethan Boh was born the 18th April.. I had been stalking your bellie buddies group but hadn"t posted as Ethan was an IVF baby and we hung out in the LTTTC & AC thread... I wished I had joined in at the end.. I find I am needing something to do as i"m expressing and the bottle feeding with a top up of fomula when I need to as we are still trying to get my milk in fully.. Ethan was 4.89kg, 56cms long with a HC of 36cms.. We had a drug free birth of 12h 45mins but need ventouse at the end which left me with a 3rd degree tear.. I wasn"t stitched properly and lost 3.5 litres of blood and ended up in the ICU... We are going ok now but just really want him to start taking the breast to feed... I would love the extra sleep.. Well pumping is done better keep moving...

hi and welcome
wow on your bubba!!! i'm amazed at what some of you ladies have done!!!

cant stay long, i want a nap!! but will is doing great. feeding longer today and not every 2 hours which is great!!
so why is it bad to feed them to sleep??
yeh i know the point him south, lol its when i take his nappy off and wiping his butt thats he pees north! lol
i also didnt think you could over feed on bf?!!
As for the 10min feeding thing.... yesterday i was wondering why bub was drinking for 15mins and then fall asleep (was waking up two hours later for more), i had to express this morning and figured out that i could now express 60ml in 10mins from one boobie so that explains why; he was getting full... prehaps thats the same for you?? {think Kellie asked}

[~kellie~]

yeh i know the point him south, lol its when i take his nappy off and wiping his butt thats he pees north! lol

I am exactly the same!!!!

on the feeding to sleep thing, it depends on who you talk too on whether its bad or not. With my DD, we fell into the pattern, and although it never really worried me, it was hard if someone else had to put her to bed if we were going out or something like that. Also, there were many times when she'd be feeding and fall asleep, and as soon as I moved her to her cot she would wake.

On the other hand, it was a sure fire way to get her to sleep when we were out, and there is nothing better than having a snuggly sleepy cuddle while feeding!

So this time I am going to try and stick to the feed play sleep thing, but if it doesnt work I'll happily go back to feeding to sleep!

At the end of the day, do what feels right to you!

[BabyWrangler]

Hello Ladies!
Congrats to all of you on the birth of your bubbies!

My name is Shelley, my Daughter Kaylee arrived 19 days early, on April 21st, the day before my birthday!

I hope you don't mind me joining the group! I was in the same Belly Buddies group as Phoenix.

I look forward to getting to know you all!

[Kirley64]

Hi Baby Wrangler. Congrats on your Daughter

Ahh Kellie thanks for that. I had never heard it.... and i like the fact he falls asleep after cuz in the 1am and 4am feeds it means i can go straight back to sleep. He kind of alternates though between staying awake and falling asleep.

I have another breast feeding question mummies..... so since i've been expressing i do both boobies for 20-30mins.... now that William is feeding off me..... he seems to take only one side - then be full (or asleep). Is it better to drain each side each feed... or do 10minutes each side (for example) to even them up so they dont feel like they are going to explode!!

[maranui]

Hi everyone

Welcome to the newbies. Delighted to have you join as long as you dont mind a couple of interlopers - some of us had our bubs a tad early but dont want to leave the group after 9 months!

Wow, what a difference a week makes. Louie is now not feeding to sleep after his daytime feeds, but is after his night. PERFECT!

Settling him takes on a variety of shapes. Rocking, singing, just putting him in the cradle and walking away. Lots of sucking in the evening (our finger or his). I'm trying to mix it up so we dont have a single crutch (multiple is better!) lol! Also making DH do some of the settling too - so its not all mummy. Our night time feeds are really special though - just me and the little man and straight off to sleep. Resisting the overwelming desire to give him a dummy (something I thought I would never do but contemplate every evening when the crying is a bit much).

His neck lifting is average, but he is a man that likes to roll. The healthcare nurse says its unusual but then she saw it. Who wants to lay money on an active wee man who crawls early! Well, he will if he gets his head sorted. We also had grabbing this morning which was lovely. Sadly - no smiles yet - well not without wind that is

Kirley 64 - on the boob thing. As you guys know L had a lefty leaning tendency. I found out its because my flow is super super super fast on the right boob (and only super fast on the left). So in the morning feeds (when my flow is strongest) I use a nipple shield to start him off, then break his feed (mid suck) and whip it off. Also, sometimes start him on the left, then switch him to the right mid suck. It seems to work for us now. Sue Cox was really happy for me to use the shields as a bridging measure esp as I seem to have plenty of milk. Which I think is a result of the regular expressing I did when he was a wee bub. I still seem to be able to whip 50 mls off in 10 minutes on the swing pump. As for feed timings. Sometimes he takes 40mins (20min each), sometimes he takes 10. I have no idea why.

Anyway - he wakes. Boobs are tingling. Better run.

Love to you all.xxxx

[Tan2705]

Maranui what a well trained lad you have there - good boy Louie! I too am steering clear of the dreaded dummy as at 22 months big bro still has one for night sleeps Early crawler - YIKES been there done that hoping this one will stay put for alot longer!

Kirley I don't profess to know everything about BFing but I do think I read that you should let them fully drain one breast at a time for a couple of reasons: 1) so they get the fatty hind milk 2) so you don't end up with blocked ducts which can lead to mastitis - someone correct me if I am wrong. I don't think it is uncommon for BFing mummies to have lopsided chesticles - I normally have one that looks like a helium balloon an hour before a party has started and the other looks like that balloon a week after the party has finished! Expection is when he does his big overnight sleep and than I look like Pam Anderson HAHA

Kellie best advice for us all I think

At the end of the day, do what feels right to you!

Especially when every Tom, **** and Harry want to tell you what to do...

BabyWrangler & lilmisshavachat WOW lmhac you out did me on the big baby stakes! I think DS kinda stretched the exit passage for me - thank gawd - hope you are recovering well!

AFM we had our first horror night last night were A just didn't want to sleep - in all truthfullness it wasn't that bad but because we had been having a dream run it certainly took it's toll! We had dinner at my parents with some long lost family friends and it was a very late night. A just didn't want to settle there and as my mother kept telling me I am just getting my own back because as a bub I did the exact same thing to her. Guess we will have to become homebodies or stick to a cerfew *SIGH* bye bye social life Not much else to report.. oh except DS's furniture will finally be turning up on Tuesday after 3 months - apparently that is the gestation period for children's bedroom furniture I b*tched and moaned about the lack of communication between the store and myself and got free delivery, mattress protectors and 2 quilts (it's a combo bunk) YAY for me!! So finally Coop will get his big boy room!!

Hi to anyone I missed x

[~Phoenix~]

Good evening ladies

Thanks for the lovely welcome, I have to go back & read and catch up on everyone and everything.

Congrats to everyone on their precious little bundles.

Baby Wrangler - Welcome lovie, yay someone I know lol. Looks like we might have one more May girl in here too.

My little pink bundle, Alycia Anne was induced 10 days early (it's her DD today) and after a labour of 5hrs 9mins she arrived, with vontouse help, safe & sound weighing 3.16kgs, length 48cms & head circumference 35cms. We had a few issues with BF but once she finally worked out what they are for, she is a right little b**by monster.

Well little miss is starting to stir...

[Ayapi]

welcome to all the new mummy's, the more the merrier!

I hope you are all well and your little bundle of joys are all behaving themselves. For those first time mums and wanting to have a routine from now a nurse told me when I had my DD1 that it doesn't happen for the first 3 months of their lives as they pretty much tell us what they need and want. After that we can get them into a routine of sleep, eat and play.

Amelia is starting to become a lot more alert these days which is lovely but her awake time is normally after her last feed 8 or 9pm and stays awake for 2 hours. But she is normally a very good sleeper (at least for now ) My scar is healing well and I have only a small amount of pain when I do too much. Tomorrow my DH is going back to work and I am on my own with a baby & toddler as my MIL also went home on Friday morning back to Auckland.

regarding toddlers we are also having some small testing of the boundries with DD1. It is a little hard but I'm sure it's cause she has been the only one for nearly 2 years and now there is another little baby taking up all of mummy's time. I do try to involve her with Amelia but kids being kids they just don't do as you like. But she does love and adore her little sister and all she wants to do is cuddle and kiss her and touch her all the time

Well not much else going on better go and have a shower, I'll be back a little later on.

Ciao

[~Phoenix~]

Morning ladies

Think I was a very lucky mummy last night & I got a 6 hour stretch overnight between feeds, not getting too excited as I figure it's probably a once off as she was awake for an hour or so before that feed just looking around and taking in the world.

I have a question on BF - how long do your littlies feed for, I'm lucky to get 15-20mins on a really really good feed, average is about 10mins. I have no problems with supply, quite the opposite and she always settles and sleeps well. It's just that the midwives all told me to try and get 20-25mins out of one side and than about 5mins out of the other......it just doesn't happen.

Maranui - I've got a roller too, she seems to favour her right side especially when I'm trying to change pooey nappies lol.....didn't think I'd have to worry about that for a few more weeks.

Tan - we haven't really ventured out at night yet, only to mums for dinner a couple of times but we've usually made it home in time for a feed so not much of a disruption to her, at least with winter babies the cold, yucky weathe is a good enough excuse to stay home and hibernate.

kirley - little girls can catch you unawares at nappy time too A is a power pooer and has caught us out a few times lol.

A big hello to everyone else, gonna run and have a shower while all is nice and quiet

[BabyWrangler]

Good Afternoon Ladies (sorry, I've been a bit slack in the posting area, I've read everything though!)

Phoenix: Hello lovely!!! BFing, I have no supply issues either, in fact, I feed Little Lady between 4 and 6 times a day AND I express in between times (I'd explode otherwise!), and I currently have around 3litres of EBM in the freezer!
Kaylee usually takes around 30 mins to feed, but that includes about 3 burp breaks, and probably only around 20 mins on the breast sucking (10-15 of that really good sucking)

Tan: We had a shocker night the one before last (and slightly last night), Kaylee had a wind issue...not exactly sure what it was, but she was very uncomfy, and since we had to re-configure the layout of the house, and her room is next to DS's, I ended up sleeping on the floor so I could get to her quickly....usually she grizzles and grunts a bit before she ramps up to screaming banshee, but that night she went from asleep to hysterical banshee in 0 seconds flat (from 3:30 til 7:30am!)
Last night she was bright eyed and bushy tailed from about 10pm til 11pm!

In regard to dummies, we have them in our house...DS had one from being in hospital as he has had reflux (and still gets it), and the dummy sucking helped to keep everything down in his tummy and reduce pain.
We noticed (before the MW's did) that Kaylee also had reflux (from day 2) in hospital, and as a result, she also has a dummy. She likes to suck on her fingers (but doesn't have the aim to get them in every time!), but, its easier to throw a dummy in the bin when they are older, than it is to chop fingers off

Maranui: Reading your post about dummies, you mention your little one crying in the evening....do you have "arsenic hour" in your house in the evenings? (lots of crying, hard to settle little one etc?).
A little suggestion (and some background about me first so I don't sound like a know it all mum, as I don't mean to!).
I have spent the last 10 years working in child care (in the under 12 months age group), and i have completed 3 tertiary degrees relating to early childhood, along with countless in services regarding sleep, settling etc....so....a suggestion, in case you haven't tried this yet!
Arsenic hour (though frankly, it lasts longer than an hour!) is very common, and can often be a result of bubs either being "past it" in regard to tiredness, or can also be a result of bubs body feeling over stimulated.
You could try either bunging in an extra little sleep at around that time, or, just sit (if you have time), in a dimly lit room with no real noise to speak of (telly off etc) to allow bubs to wind down a little...

I hope I havent come across as rude or telling you how to raise bubs, just something I've seen work very well in the past with families I've worked with!

to everyone I've missed!!!

[maranui]

Hi Baby wrangler

Thanks for your advice. I wondered whether it was the arsenic hour(s), but some nights he is a cherub so I think its more wind and reflux related.

I feel bad today as have surcumbed to the dummy. Stupid of me I know, but its another of those stupid "rules" that I made for myself before I faced the reality of motherhood. He has had a super unsettled day - wind I think - and just would not settle and was chewing his cot blanket and anything that would pass him mouth. Also have feed about every 1.5 hours....

Anyway - for those experienced with the dummy, what is your advice:

Dummy selection - Sue Cox said big and cheap is best - can anyone recommend a brand?

Do you leave them in as they sleep, or only to settle? Do they wake up more often because they fall out?

Any nipple confusion problems?

Arrggghhh. What a day!

[Kirley64]

Hi ladies, typing one handed so excuse typos!!

Will had a really unsettled night last night. awake every 2.5hrs for food and has wind pains in between. not much sleep 4 me or him. been like that all today as well. guna cut out milk the next few days to c if it makes a difference... i will miss my morning cereal n cuppa!!

as for feed lengths, it varies. if he stays awake its about 20-30mins every 3 hours. although if he falls asleep after 10mins he wakes up constantly over next hr so i cant tell how long. although tonight he drank half hour one side, then 10mins later wanted more, so i gave him other side as well hoping hes just a fatty not lack of supply.

BW - 3 lires of ebm!! wow, if you express though wont that keep ur supply at that level??

as for dummy, i find he sucks it properly like he should on boobie, better than he does on boobie he doesnt like it unless hes desperate, usually spits it out shortly. i dont always give it to him to sleep, hes usually pretty good. if i do though he spits it out within 10mins of being asleep!
neway dead arm.... gota get ready for my long night

[~kellie~]

hi everyone

Kirley - in regards to your b/fing question - I agree with what Tan said about the fatty hind milk, and thats what I do. Lewis usually feeds for about 10 - 15 minutes and then is completely happy, but if he isn't, I sometimes then offer the 2nd side and he'll probably only suck for about 5 minutes.

Tan - glad to hear Coopers furniture is finally on the way, and that you got some freebies!

Ayapi - how did your 1st day by yourself go? Are you still on pain medication for your c-section? I'm just having the occasional panadol and volataren now, but a few days back I was religiously having them every 4 hours.

Phoenix - I can only dream about a 6 hour stretch! I bet you felt like a new woman this morning! Hope it continues tonight for you! In regards to your b/fing question, I too have a quick feeder. As long as she is settling well and sleeping well and putting on weight, I'd say that what you are doing is fine. if she is waking for another feed too quickly then maybe you should be feeding longer, but if she isn't then I'd think the quick feeds are fine. She might just be a very efficient drainer

maranui - I'm not experienced with dummies, as DD hated them, but I know when they say 'big and cheap', the Happy Baby brand is usually what they mean. I picked up a packet of 3 from coles the other day for $5. I've given it to Lewis once so far, and he liked it, but the next time I tried he wanted nothing to do with it. I also worry about nipple confusion problems if I were to use them too

AFM - had my 1st day by myself with the 2 kidlets today. Was going out of mind by the time DH got home, so we went for a walk to the park to get me out of the house and to burn some energy for DD. She is in child care tomorrow, so it will be just me and DS, so should be a quiet day.
For those of you who had c-sections, how long are you waiting to drive?

anyway, gotta go and do the dishes before DS wakes

talk tomorrow

[BabyWrangler]

Hi Ladies!

Just quickly on the dummy issue.
We use MAM or Avent, mostly MAM because they are shaped better to prevent them covering the nose.
The teats on them are also a flatish oval shape, quite similar to how my nipple looks when it pops out of Kaylee's mouth!
I have never had any nipple confusion issues with my children, that said, I imagine the big bulbous round ones would definately be an issue!
The MAM and Avent ones are more expensive, but I think that they are definately worth it!

Also with the expressing, yes, it is a catch 22, if I express, my supply remains high, however, if I don't I either get REALLY sore, or leak EVERYWHERE...OR the milk comes out way too fast for Kaylee (same when I was BFing DS), and causes even more issues with wind etc!

[Tan2705]

Oh god bless giggle n hoot and dirtgirl for letting me type without mr 22 month pounding the keyboard!!


Babywrangler I have quite the supply of EBM too not that it is any good to me as at moment Archie is so not interested in 2nd hand milk - DS1 however keeps eating frozen cubes and has pinched a bottle out of the fridge HAHA but same reasons for pumping I will either explode, flood the house or drown Archie when he feeds! We have one dummy left for DS1 - it is purely a comfort thing for him (no reflux or such) and considered getting rid of it several times but he is a strong willed chap, with bub arrival I didn't want to push to many changes on him at once! Not sure how to go about it now - we did the chop the end for one and he still sucked on the darn thing *sigh*

Kellie well done on surviving day 1 home alone. DF went back to work the day after I got home from hospital and by 5pm I was ready to pull my hair out! It gets easier but than again I can drive - that would truely drive me batty having no wheels! My cousins wife was driving again 2 weeks after her c-section much to everyones objections.

Kirley I know I already said this on FB so I am repeating myself but get yourself to a chemist and buy some Infants Friend - it was truely a saviour for when Coop had wind - TOUCHWOOD Archie has escaped it thus far! Hope you got some rest!

Maranui whatever works for you and Louis is what is best! So don't beat yourself up about surrendering to the dummy! My children were never going to be placed in front of the tv so I could get things done and yet I now praise the lord for ABC for Kids which has been on since we arrived home from hospital!

Phoenix 6 hours did you get another 6 last night? No such thing as winter up here in far north Queensland - it's just hot and not so hot - still have the aircons on at night!

Ayapi good to hear you are healing well! Have to agree with the no routine till the magic three month mark! How did your first solo day go?

Two good nights in a row here: A has done 2 x 5+4+4 Day time is abit different but I think that is a result of us being out and about too much! Oh I seem to have the copy and past down pat now with my missing letter