I've been reading this thread (and the baby buddies thread) but haven't had the time and energy to post.
Quick summary - Liam Jack was born after a fairly traumatic induction on December 2nd (he just turned 4 weeks old, which I can't believe!), 8 pound 15 ounces, 51.5cm.
I had some major issues recovering from the birth - complete loss of appetite and almost constant nausea, amongst other symptoms, which worsened when my milk came in. I got super engorged, which was extremely painful, and to make things worse, Liam had a lot of problems with feeding at first, so it wasn't easily relieved. We eventually got him feeding him in hospital with the use of a nipple shield.
The first few weeks back at home were really difficult for me. I was severely sleep deprived, still suffering from nausea and a lack of appetite and just generally a wreck. Liam still wasn't feeding well, and was fussing about 95% of the time he was awake and not sleeping well at night at all.
Things came to a head and, after several visits to the GP, I was diagnosed with postnatal depression and started on antidepressants and a very low dose of a sleeping pill (for the record, I've suffered from depression for a good many years and came off antidepressants to get pregnant). Liam was also tentatively diagnosed with silent reflux and started on medication.
As I type now, things are much improved. Liam's far more settled, and generally sleeps much better at night, waking every 2-3 hours to feed and generally settling down quickly afterwards. He doesn't always sleep well during the day, but he spends far less time fussing now while awake. He's also feeding much better now - he rejected the nipple shields a few weeks ago, and latches on without too much fuss now. Him feeding properly makes everything a lot easier. Our next challenge is to get him to accept a bottle of expressed milk from time to time from DH, which he's so far rejected.
I'm doing a lot better, too. Getting a bit of decent sleep makes a huge difference to everything. The antidepressants are starting to kick in, and everything feels far more manageable. DH has been home for the last few weeks, too, which has been a huge help.
And now I've written a short novel Hope you're all doing well and enjoying your little ones.
Hi Rose - it's lovely to hear from you, I wondered where you've been. I'm sorry to hear you've had a hard time, I didn't realise it was so tough for you, sounds like you've been through the ringer a bit the last few weeks but very glad to hear you're feeling much better. What caused the nausea do they know? Bad enough having it in the first trimester, let alone after bubs is born huh! You sound like you've got things under control now so you'll start to enjoy being a mum more and more. Don't worry, we all struggle with having a new baby, it certainly would help if they came with instructions huh! I'm only just getting used to the sleep deprivation now after 4.5 weeks, in fact, oddly enough I feel more exhausted/tired at the 6.00 am mark now so have been getting DH to do a FF bottle feed unless I've got expressed milk but we've been out and about so much lately I haven't had much time to express much! I hate using formula even though it shouldn't matter but I've found I'm less stressed using it because it helps so much, Amelia can't go hungry and if she does she won't settle so it's best for all of us at times. I don't have to use it a lot but I have no issue doing so now, I'm past the whole issue of it not being good.......it's only because it's drummed into us to BF. I was formula fed and I think I'm fine.....although some would argue. LOL.
Anyway, hope everyone has as fabulous New Year's! It's DH's birthday so we're just going to his parents for an early dinner. We'll be in bed well before midnight sadly, have to get our couple of hours in before Amelia wakes for her 1.30 am ish feed!
Hi Rose Great to hear from you again! I'm sorry you've had such a hard time was the nausea related to the depression or to your milk coming in? Or do they not know??... Geez nosey aren't I
Very good to hear things are picking up for you now, like Alison said it's hard enough with a new baby without having to deal with the added stress of nausea, not feeding properly and then depression on top!
You know we're here for you if you ever need to have a big vent or just need some support
Alison Aahhh...you were formula fed...that explains a lot!...LOL Just kidding
Happy B'day to DH!
AndiE We were told that whooping cough is about in Canberra too and they offered the vax to me in hospital. So I guess it's pretty standard at the moment.
Hi BS Glad you found the thread.
Took Harry for a weigh today and he's over his birth weight now woohoo!
Hope everyone has a great new year
And all the best for a fantastic 2010
I didn't make midnight but was up at 1.30 am feeding, does that count? hee hee
We had a quiet night, dinner at the in-laws for DH's birthday and came home about 10.30 pm. I did lose my nipple shield at their house though so not happy, managed to feed ok through the night without it but Amelia definitely feeds better with them cause she's used to them now, woops. Will have to go see if I can find another one, assuming the chemists sell them.....I got my other one in the hospital!
Hi Willow - hee hee, yeah maybe that explains why I'm so mad Great news re Harry's weight, good job! I jumped on the scales at home yesterday (scary) and then again with Amelia in my arms to get an idea of her weight and it's telling me she's put on 1 kg in 2 weeks, does that sound right? I've got mothers group next week so will weigh her properly then hee hee.
Hope you all had lovely New Years! Can't believe we have to now say our babies were born "last year"!
Hi Alison Amelia could have put on 1kg in 2 weeks that would be a good gain! Hope you can get a hold of another nipple shield, or your other one could turn up.
I haven't weighed myself yet I should do that.
I missed midnight too but Harry woke at 12.20 so I only just missed it
I just posted this in our old thread but thought I should probably start using this one now. So, here it is again!
Happy New Year girls! What did everyone get up to??
I have to be really quick but wanted to log in and say I'm thinking of you all.
BS and everyone else who is facing the wind dilemma - we were recommended Infant's Friend, a natural liquid formula that you give them before feeds. It's our godsend! Honestly, it has made him sleep better because he was waking at night in pain. BS, I'm not sure if you'll be able to get it over there but it's similar to gripe water, but tastes nice so they love it.
I'll try and get online later to catch up on everyone's news.
So strange moving! When are we all doing it?
ATM - doing really well now. I was in such a fog earlier and felt quite dreadful over Christmas. Now we've used the Infant's Friend he sleeps so much better which really helps DH and I and our energy levels.
OMG, I have to mention this. After BS said she gives Eva tummy time we started doing it. And guess what? Last week, at three weeks, he started to roll from his tummy to his back. I didn't think anyone would believe me so I just had my parents and DH witness it and he did it twice for us. I really have to watch him now because I was cooking the other day with him on the mat on the floor and he started to scream - he had rolled UNDER our coffee table.
Anyway, I hope you're all doing well and can't wait to hear about your news.
willow - Oh I'm definitely going to be careful who I take my baby to if I do decide to try chiro. I think I'll give her and me more time to settle down though. I keep reminding myself that she's only a month old. Thanks for the info. Yay for Harry finally gaining weight
Rose - I'm sorry you've had a hard time , but I'm glad things are improving for you and Liam.
Alison - Happy b'day to DH for yesterday. I hope that nipple shield turns up. If not, most pharmacies sell them.
Carmey - Glad Jack is sleeping better now that he's got some help for the wind. I had to laugh that he managed to roll under the coffee table. Well done Jack!
AFM - Amelia is sleeping better at night now - only waking up for feeds and settling right back down afterwards. But we're still having issues from 7pm onwards. She just won't settle, gets over tired and then justs cries and cries. I don't think anything is wrong but nothing I do helps and I pretty much have to wait it out. She'll have a feed around 11pm and then settles after that. I was on antidepressants throughout pregnancy and wonder if she's going through withdrawal, even though I'm BFing.
Hi all, Im new to Belly Belly and am curious if others out there are experiencing the same as myself. Lily was born on the 2nd December, my due date was the 17th Dec. I had a natural labour - 4 hours and 35minutes and am breastfeeding only. The last 2-3 weeks Lily has been quite unsettled, normally around 7.00 am- 10.00 am and from 6:00 pm -11:00 pm. During the day she's normally okay, as long as we're at home and she's in her cot. To settle her I rock her or dance around the house, which can be quite tiring. Last week my husband suggested we put the hair dryer on and it seemed to settle her, but the last few days it hasn't worked. We thought it might be wind and have tried infacol and gripe water, she doesn't seem to like either and neither work. I am breastfeeding only and dont think my milk is low asI have plenty of it and she has been and she is latching on well. During the night she will sleep approx 2-4 hours. Feeds inbetween take approx 20 minutes, normally during the night its feed and sleep and we have had no issues. Friends have suggested I give her the dummy but she doesn't seem to like it as she spits it out and gets even more frustrated.
Hope you're all doing well and enjoying your little ones.
I'm sorry to hear you've had a hard time, I didn't realise it was so tough for you, sounds like you've been through the ringer a bit the last few weeks but very glad to hear you're feeling much better. What caused the nausea do they know? Bad enough having it in the first trimester, let alone after bubs is born huh! You sound like you've got things under control now so you'll start to enjoy being a mum more and more. Don't worry, we all struggle with having a new baby, it certainly would help if they came with instructions huh! I'm only just getting used to the sleep deprivation now after 4.5 weeks, in fact, oddly enough I feel more exhausted/tired at the 6.00 am mark now so have been getting DH to do a FF bottle feed unless I've got expressed milk but we've been out and about so much lately I haven't had much time to express much! I hate using formula even though it shouldn't matter but I've found I'm less stressed using it because it helps so much, Amelia can't go hungry and if she does she won't settle so it's best for all of us at times. I don't have to use it a lot but I have no issue doing so now, I'm past the whole issue of it not being good.......it's only because it's drummed into us to BF. I was formula fed and I think I'm fine.....although some would argue. LOL.
Just kidding
Great news re Harry's weight, good job! I jumped on the scales at home yesterday (scary) and then again with Amelia in my arms to get an idea of her weight and it's telling me she's put on 1 kg in 2 weeks, does that sound right? I've got mothers group next week so will weigh her properly then hee hee. 
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