Ooh... Birth story... Yay. I looooove birth stories! Can't wait.
Can't type much, on phone with little X on my shoulder. He's funny - really loves being wrapped up. We wrapped DD of course, but if you were holding her she would go to sleep no probs. X seems to get grizzly after a feed, til you wrap him and then he's out like a light. Strange the little differences I am noticing between the two of them!
Dr T - when you say "long nap", how long are you getting?? Great that you aren't so tired today, you must be recovering, gently does it now!
How's B going at nights? LOL at the "milk bath"!! You'll get it! I'm impressed that you're trying - I didn't feel confident enough to feed lying down with DD til she was about 4wks old... Wish I had earlier... How lovely is the feeling of dozing with your little bundle snuggled in close?
Jacki - sounds like a good day was had! I sent DD to Grandma yesterday for a play and just spent time with X. It's nice, huh?
OP - B will sleep for 6-8 hours if I let him. However, because he'd not gained any weight (in fact had lost a little bit) when he was weighed on Monday the MW said during the day not to let him go for more then 3-4 hours between feeds. So I wake him after 4 hours. For the rest of the day I try to wake him to feed every 2.5 to 3 hours. He even sleeps through his exloding poos. I can strip him wash him and change him all without him waking up
At night he'll only wake once...maybe twice. He's had a couple nights where he's slept straight through (as in I fed him between 9 and 10 and he didn't wake till after 6. The first night he did that he scared me near about to death. I woke up and thought for sure he'd stopped breathing.
I'm trying not to get too use to the superlong sleeps at night in case they don't last. But I'm certainly taking advantage of them at the moment to catch up on all the sleep I wasn't getting when I was pregnant!
AFM - I got my birth story written and posted. Make sure you have lots of time before you read it and grab a drink. I got a bit carried away and it is just a TAD bit long
So interesting hearing about everyone else's bubs' sleeping and pooing habits. Travis had 11 pooie nappies in his first 36 hours - I got no sleep at all Tuesday night (2nd night out of my belly) because everytime I fed him, he'd poo, then I'd change his nappy and he'd want more food and was generally unsettled. Because there was meconium in the amniotic fluid I had to stay 2 nights in hospital, which was probably a good thing in the end because I would have freaked out over his not sleeping. The nurse even took him for an hour to try to give me some sleep but he wouldn't have it! Our first night home was better, I got him to sleep for a couple of hours twice. Last night was another no sleeper, and this night is also turning out to be. I'm typing 1-handed while feeding him. After the first 11 poos he went more than 24 hours without any and I was quietly hoping he might be one of those one a week babies, but tonight he's already had 3. At least the poo is easier to clean off now!!
Dr Tal - so jealous that B sleeps through his nappy changes, but sounds like you have your own issues with leaky nappies! When did you start using the MCNs? T's poo is probably at the point where I can consider gettin mine out. Will check out your birth story when I get a chance!
OP - impressed by your multi-tasking!! Would love some advice on how to feed while lying down if you have any, though might be very dependent on bb size and mine are only 12c in maternity bra size (i think).
Actually, anyone with details on how they co-sleep, if they do, would be gratefully received!!
Jacki, hope you had a good sleep to catch up on your lack of nana nap!
Hi to everyone else, gotta go, have a leak to clean up
Emma - We co-sleep with B occasionally. I'll usually bring him into bed with me after his 4am feed (When he has it). I just snug him up against my side with his head resting on my arm, so he's propped kinda like he would be if I was holding him and go to sleep. I figure with his head on my arm, then I know where he is and I won't roll on him. Dh does the same thing when he's sleepingwith him. I don't know if that's the 'proper' way ornot, but it's what feels comfortable for us. Plus with him that close we know the dogs won'taccidentally step on him.
I started using the MCN's basically as soon as we got home from the hospital. I don't use them all the time though (mainly because he has so many changes a day I don't have enough to keep up with him). At the moment I'm using about half and half.
Sounds like we are all slowly slowly adjusting to life with out new babies...
Dr T - great birth story. Loved it. Thanks again for sharing all that with us - will say it again, you are an amazing woman. My DH commented that he had no idea I was that strong - I bet your DH is thinking the same thing
Which MCNs are you using? Maybe its a boy thing - we're using Tots Bots fitted with PUL covers and although we have had one poosplosion leak, I don't think any nappy on earth would have contained that one! The huggies we used for a bit when we first came home from hosp were useless - we had heaps of leaks. Must be a boy thing - we used the same MCNs with my DD and I don't think we had any leaks at all!
We're in them full time but I'm finding the washing a bit stressful - I think we're going to end up washing nappies every day, DD's one day and DS's the next. At least that way we keep the two sizes separate... easier to sort out...
6-8hrs - yeah I guess that is a bit long!! Little baby only has little tummy, I'm surprised his tummy lets him sleep that long Definitely take advantage of the long stretches at night while they last!
Emma - he will settle down! You're doing a great job! Are you getting lots of support during the day? Can someone take T for a bit so you can rest during the day, to prepare for the nights? I found that worked best with DD when I was completely exhausted and she was up all night. As far as the poos go, I think at this stage they still poo fairly regularly, but once you get into a regular BF routine (if you do) and things settle a bit, he might be one of those once a week pooing babies. There is hope yet!
X does the exact same thing though - I feed him one side, change nappy, then generally without fail while we are feeding the second side he'll do a big squishy poo. Its like he holds it in til he's in a nice clean nappy and then lets rip We are going through so many nappies - so glad we're in cloth.
As for feeding lying down, it doesn't really matter what size you are - my sister went up to about what you are and she taught me how to do it! She has a pretty sweet deal, as an aside - when my nephew wakes for feeds, she sends my BIL up to get him from his cot in his room, BIL gives him to my sister who feeds one side, BIL changes his nappy at the end of the bed, back to sis, then BIL takes him back to bed. My sis just lies there dozing through it all. Can't see my DH going for that one somehow!!!
Anyway, basically I lie X on the bed, on his back, with his head roughly where I think my BB will be (getting better at judging it...), then I scootch in beside him on my side, with the arm that is closest to the mattress sort of tucked up under my pillow and with the other arm I sort of roll X onto his side into me... and then I have to shuffle him up or down a little bit so he is lined up properly with BB.
The important thing is to still get the chin to breast attachment thing going on... I was a bit lazy the first night and got a little graze on one nipple and a crack on the other. I find I have to squish my nipple a bit to get him to attach properly but once he is on, I close my eyes and doze...
This morning I fed him at about 3am and he wouldn't go back into the cradle so he came back into bed with us, I'd done my PJ top up but he kept trying to attach, so I just undid it and let him suck, when I woke up at 6am he was still attached
I always put X on the outside of the bed, so I am between him and my DH. DH is too heavy a sleeper to risk having him roll onto X if X were in between us. I was putting a pillow next to him but I confess I have not been doing that recently... the pillow would just fall off and he's always tucked right into me so he's not going anywhere. Hope some of that helps...
AFM: we had a bit of an unsettled night last night which continued today - lots of long stretches of wakefulness (like 2hrs) followed by short sleeps and more being awake. He's asleep now, has been since about 8pm, so I'm now waiting for him to wake up before going to bed. Would have gone to bed at 8pm but we hadn't had dinner...
He made the most noise today that he has in just about ever. I think maybe gas/wind pains? He'd let out these real squawks of pain and go all rigid, then relax. Poor little bub. Happened a few times...
Aside from that, he is generally happy to just be, when he is awake I mean. Doesn't seem to like being left alone while he's awake, but if you're holding him he will quite happily watch the world without crying or anything. So that's pretty good. We did have a time today when neither him nor DD would go to sleep and DH and I were getting pretty snippy with each other. Thankfully they finally got to sleep and DH had a little nap on the couch... or else things would have gotten nasty.
DH working tomorrow Got family coming round so hopefully they can amuse DD for a bit...
How is everyone feeling physically, now that we are a week or so post-natal? I'm still struggling with digestion... I get really gassy/windy and am struggling to be, ahem, regular, if you get my drift. Might need some more natural fibre...
Hope everyone is going well... I'm off to bed... maybe...
Thanks OP for your detailed response! It was quite reassuring on many levels. Your sister sure has a sweet deal with her DH. I was hoping Austin would be able to get a full night's sleep so he is full of energy to look after me and the house during the day, but after the bad nights I decided yesterday (with a little persuasion from the midwife) that I'd wake him up if I was having troubles settling DS. But then Last night was a good one, much like our first night home from hospital - I got 2 2-hour stints of sleep because Travis actually went to sleep without a fuss at his 2am feed! He was a bit grizzly after his 5am feed, so I put him in bed with me and after a while he went to sleep, but then I couldn't sleep because I was too sore. So I got up and made a pancake batter for DH for when he gets up (he has been doing all the cooking and made pancake batter yesterday and only got one pancake because his sister and family turned up), and made myself poached eggs. My first ever attempt at poached eggs, and they were perfect!!! Am so proud of myself, have acquired another life skill
But right now, I'm starting to get tired. Might go wake up Austin (it's 7.30 and he got to sleep through after all!) and tell him to change the sheets (they are getting smelly because he sweats a lot) and keep an eye on bub so I can go to bed for a while...
Dr Tal - thanks for your response too . Must remember to read your birth story next time!
Hi to Jacki, mitf, Salad, Starbright and O&G!
Last edited by EmmaJane; July 18th, 2010 at 07:44 AM.
: got smiley thing wrong
Dr Tal.. I read your birth story, but i wasnt able to reply then, what an amazing story, you did sooooooo well to do what you did and bring your little man here with no c section!!! Well done!!! And ****, i would have biatch slapped that awful MW, what a cow!!!!!!! Good on your DH for sticking up for you - i cant beleive that she treated you like that- why do people stay in jobs like that if they are that awful and bitter?????
EJ... I feed laying down too if i am in bed with just DD... but sadly most of the time its me DH, DS and DD!! So there just isnt the room to have her next to me!! So for me co-sleeping with the full bed is usually me sitting up in bed holding DD falling asleep!! Not very comfy!! On the odd day that DS stays in his bed and when DH gets up for work i get a few hours where there is room to lay down with her- and i enjoy that!! If i manage to stay awake when feeding i have been trying to actually make a point of putting DD in her bassinette (which is right beside the bed) just so i can lay down and get some decent rest.
op... I am noticing differences between DS and DD too-- Not just the poo thing, but also DD will be happy if she is full and wrapped to be laid down and she will go to sleep on her own- something DS NEVER EVER DID!! I am hoping its something she keeps up!!!
AFU.....We are settling in well here too! DD had her first day and night of being unsettled the other day she was feeding alot and not sleeping much! (OP sounds very much like how X was too) I think it may have been a little growth spurt coz she is filling out her little suits a bit better now!! Only bad thing is i think we have thrush of the mouth (DD) and the nipple (me)- I had it with DS and i am getting that same tingly yucky feeling when i get a let down (both sides hurt for about 30 seconds, not the nipple so much as the whole boobie) and DD is grunting like Shane used to. I really hope it isnt thrush- but i think it might be- i have my MCHN appt next week but i might head to the chemist and check out the stuff i used for Shane and check that its not too early to start using it for DD coz i would rather get onto it sooner than later!
My other big issue at the moment is DS and his sleeping!!! He is being a shocker at nap/bed time and its really getting to me. He has been a shocker forever, but has his great days and his bad days, and he is having more and more bad days!!! I have to sit with him for up to an hour and half some nights til he goes to sleep, and he isnt crying or anything, just generally mucking around and being obnoxious!!! (gets that from his dad! ) I try more stories, less stories, being strict, yelling, being nice, singing, stroking, NOT singing, not stroking, nothing seems to work. I have even stormed out of his room a few times and shut the door behind me but that just starts him screaming so that doesnt help all that much. And it hurts my belly when i have to keep laying him down time and time again!! I just wish i had a magic wand that i could wave and he would just be a good boy and go to sleep!! I think its my lack of decent sleep that has my patience level down to zip, and its not a good combo!!!! DH will put him to bed occassionally, but not enough!! Just had to vent that one!! Sorry!!
Abit of gross TMI... but how is everyone going bleeding wise?? I went really light for a bit- but it has gotten heavy again the last few days i know it can go on for weeks, but i cant remember it being this heavy. I guess its no heavier than a heavy period, its just been so long since i even had those!!! (thank you bfeeding )
Well DS wants some undivided attention while DD is sleeping, so i better go, big happy hugs to everyone!!!
sorry i have been MIA... toddler + newborn = CRAZY TIME!!!!!!!
DD is going great, she has her unsettled moments (usually between 4am and 8am) growing lots!!! And doing some noice poo explosions!!
We celebrated DS's 2nd Birthday - it was a quiet one with my cousin and her DH, loads of pressies!!! We had our first little holiday adventure- we drove up to Nelson Bay (about 6 hours) DD was fantastic- slept in two big blocks with a break inbetween for a big feed!! She also adjusted really well being away from home for two days!!
I am off to enjoy a bit of quiet time while both kids are sleeping!!! Take care everyone!! I am reading posts when i get the chance! Just never manage to post anything!!!
Babies born~July 1st-15th 2010 #1
Travis had 11 pooie nappies in his first 36 hours - I got no sleep at all Tuesday night (2nd night out of my belly) because everytime I fed him, he'd poo, then I'd change his nappy and he'd want more food and was generally unsettled. Because there was meconium in the amniotic fluid I had to stay 2 nights in hospital, which was probably a good thing in the end because I would have freaked out over his not sleeping. The nurse even took him for an hour to try to give me some sleep but he wouldn't have it! Our first night home was better, I got him to sleep for a couple of hours twice. Last night was another no sleeper, and this night is also turning out to be. I'm typing 1-handed while feeding him. After the first 11 poos he went more than 24 hours without any and I was quietly hoping he might be one of those one a week babies, but tonight he's already had 3. At least the poo is easier to clean off now!! 
Got family coming round so hopefully they can amuse DD for a bit...
regular, if you get my drift. Might need some more natural fibre...
Your sister sure has a sweet deal with her DH. I was hoping Austin would be able to get a full night's sleep so he is full of energy to look after me and the house during the day, but after the bad nights I decided yesterday (with a little persuasion from the midwife) that I'd wake him up if I was having troubles settling DS. But then Last night was a good one, much like our first night home from hospital - I got 2 2-hour stints of sleep because Travis actually went to sleep without a fuss at his 2am feed! He was a bit grizzly after his 5am feed, so I put him in bed with me and after a while he went to sleep, but then I couldn't sleep because I was too sore. So I got up and made a pancake batter for DH for when he gets up (he has been doing all the cooking and made pancake batter yesterday and only got one pancake because his sister and family turned up), and made myself poached eggs. My first ever attempt at poached eggs, and they were perfect!!! Am so proud of myself, have acquired another life skill 
thanks for your response too . 
) I try more stories, less stories, being strict, yelling, being nice, singing, stroking, NOT singing, not stroking, nothing seems to work. I have even stormed out of his room a few times and shut the door behind me but that just starts him screaming so that doesnt help all that much. And it hurts my belly when i have to keep laying him down time and time again!! I just wish i had a magic wand that i could wave and he would just be a good boy and go to sleep!! I think its my lack of decent sleep that has my patience level down to zip, and its not a good combo!!!! DH will put him to bed occassionally, but not enough!! Just had to vent that one!! Sorry!!
Bookmarks