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

[mummy2aiden]

HI ..My little girl Ayva was born on the 29th So shes 1 weeks today .. Breastfeeding is going great she was back to her birthweight at 4 days Her big brother is loving her, he rubs her hair, and gives her kisses. A big change from when he didn't want to come near me! Or anyone who was holding the baby. Didn't take him long .. lol .. Ummm, dunno what else to write really .. I'm looking after my 2 year old and newborn on my own. Their father isn't around and hasnt been for a while now. But surprisingly I'm not sleep deprived or anything .. yet ..

[Asparagus and Lemons]

Oh Im loving all the little baby tickers!! So cute!

cmar - Daddy's boy eh? Harlee seems to be daddys girl, if I cant settle her, dh will instantly! I just pass her over. We think it could be because he is warmer than me.. therefore more comforting? hmm.. haha puperty! Everyone keeps saying I have a 'breastfeeding glow' lol. So no bad skin for me!

Erica - Good luck with your venture! Our sleep pattern.. when it does happen, seems to be feeds at 11pm, 3 and 7am. But that is only if she has not been sleeping all day! Well done on the weight loss. I was weighed when I was in labour and was amazed that I had gone from 64kg to 97kg! A bit much I thought, but I have lost 10 of it so far, and Im staying off all things sugar which seems to be my weakness, so hopefully without much effort it will 'fall' off!

Alex - Owies! A grazed naipple! I can only imaging how painful that could be! Glad to hear its going better now though!

Sas - Would love to know how you got Lilah to sleep at night.!? We have done it a few times where Harlee only wakes every 3-4hours, but some nights I am awake for an hour feeding, she sleeps half an hour, then I feed for another hour. Needless to say I dont get much sleep when she does that!

Well Harlee is going really well. She is well above her birth weight already.. putting on 50grams a day which is apparently alot says the nurses.. But she feeds for about an hour maybe 7 times a day. everytime she cried I would feed her. I hate to hear her cry it makes me so upset
But now Ive been told to feed her for no more than 40 mins as she is 'comfort feeding' and my nipples are becoming sore. Its so hard to let her cry.. even if it is just for a moment. The nurses also tell me to keep her awake during the day more, because she does not sleep much at night. That is also basicly impossible when I dont like her crying. And Im not sure how long she should be 'awake' for.
But she is so cute. It's amazing how much love you can give to something so small.

[AngelPants]

poopie- mr c was doing the comfort feeding thing as well, i snapped when one of my nipples bled after he fed. he now has a dummy when he wants to suck but isnt really hungry (which is pretty much all the time) but when he is actually hungry he is pretty clear so there are no mix ups and hungry bubs oh and apparently they sometimes wont settle if they can smell ur milk (when ur cuddling them) cos they want to comfort feed to sleep...
dan- hope vic is home soon, need to give the paeds a gd kick up the bum.
elf- ah thats ok, join us instead!
m2a- hi! love the name ayva!!! if we'd had a girl it woulda been on our list. gd luck with the solo, i no i couldnt do it, spesh not with a 2yo as well!!! lol dont jinx urself on the sleep deprivation!!!!!!!!!
alex- yow!!!! did u try nipple shields? thats what i had to use until my nipple healed, cos i could only get 20-40ml out from expressing...
erica- not the day after.... a few HOURS after......mr c was born 12.41pm, work phoned at 3pmish...lucky it was a quick labour or mr c would still have been getting born!

*sigh* weight, i dont really want to think about it...i hate to think how much water i was carrying around!! i freaking peed a river in the 1st week but and now down from 73kg to 62kg but apparently i had a HUGE amount of amniotic fluid as well... can u believe i got stretch marks on my calves and ankles from water retention??!!

am glad to say our feeding issues seem to have resolved themselves, tho my milk seemed to drop for a couple of days when mr c was off colour, i think cos he wasnt feeding as well but my boobs are back to leaking every where thank god. oh and my milk coming in wasnt as bad aas i expected, going by what my mum and MIL were saying *phew*

ok, now a rant to to finish my post. feel free to skip these last 2 paragraphs, i need to get it off my chest lol!!
i took mr c out for his 1st trip to the shops last wk (to get more suits cos he is too tall for most of our 0000 suits...) i got the biggest telling off from some random lady for taking him out of the house when he was only 6 days old... i felt like telling her to go jump, we were in a shopping centre for christs sake!!! and ppl kept looking at me funny cos im not a big build and have a flattish tummy (thanks support pants!!) and hes a newborn so obviously its not my baby cos i should still look semi pg or fat or something?!

AND i got kidnapped by MIL and G-maIL for lunch today... y do old ppl always insist on doing stuff like seeing if the bread is on sale, despite not needing any bread?!?!?!?! ah so frustrating! lunch turned into a 3 hour saga where i was stuck at the shops until they were ready to come home cos my car is the only one with a baby seat so we all went in my car, i ended up being late home when i had a friend coming over so my friend was stuck waiting out the front of my house until i had dropped them both home *sigh* i guess its better then them coming over to our house and clucking about how stuff is so dirty/messy (G-maIL used to be a cleaner for the local hosp and is a clean freak to the EXTREME) and offering to "fix it up for me" and how i obviously need help to keep the house clean and they are happy to do it... hello i have been sick for the whole 9 months of pg now i have a newborn, having a spotless house hasnt been and still isnt really high on my list of priorities right now!

*deep breath* wow that feels better lol hope everyone is geting SOME sleep and not having too many issues bf. xxxx

[sas85]

Erica - You sound like you have an awesome supply going - am green with envy, lucky Lachlan. Hey, most cinemas also have once a week 'babes in arms' sessions, usually on a week morning where you can take your bub in with you without having to worry about them making noise etc for the movie of the week, one of my gf's hat worked at Greater Union said they used to keep the lights on the low (previews type lighting) setting so Mums could change bubs in the cinema too if they wanted. I'm going to check my local one out but something to keep in mind if you decide you don't want to leave bubs yet.

Alex - I just cannot comment without saying - i LOVE your bub's hair!! I thought Lilah had lots of hair till I saw Chloe's little picture - it is so sooo gorgeous. I had a horribly cracked nipple with DD1 and it was such excruciating pain - even this time with perfect attachment still had the 20 seconds of toe curling pain as my nipples got used to the stretching for the first 6 days, is that the amount you could express at EACH session because WOW, I can express 10ml an hour, Oh dear.

Rumpled Elf - Tell me about the after cramps - They were as strong as contractions for me for 2 days and I don't remember them at all with DD1, I could not believe the pain, was rotating nurofen and panadol through it which is hilarious because had a natural labour/birth but drugging up for the afterpains.

MummytoA- Glad your little boy is adjusting so fast - it seems to not take them so long when they're so little. That's great you're doing so well on your own too.

Poopie - Ah yes the night-time thing. Well here is what I did that I DO recommend. Waking baby every 1.5 to 2 hrs in the day - which I did by changing nappy or giving bath (only way) then feeding, so that they are 'tanking up' through the day and more awake then. (My midwife recommends this too) As for the first night I actually got her to sleep - well I highly do NOT recommend it (because your bub is putting on a huge amount of weight so you have a great supply you don't want to mess with)- after Lilah feeding for 6 hours straight (as in cluster feeding would fall asleep on boob but not sleep for more than ten minutes before waking wanting other boob and no end in sight) I was in tears at 11pm and sent my DH to get formula, gave her one F-feed and another suck on my boob and she fell asleep for 5 hours. Needless to say my Dr put me on Motillium again after that (medication for building supply - I have stupid boobs and terrible supply issues with DD1 I won't bum this thread out with as vent in the breastfeeding thread) so the long stretch I've been getting after the one top-up bottle I give her at night of formula (though today I gave her 60ml of EBM instead (took me 2 days and 4 sessions to get it though), then she sleeps usually for another 1 or 2 blocks of 2.5 - 3 hours-ish and settles quickly (usually) after these - but she's still lso little so it changes a bit every day. But definately try the waking her for regular feeds, if you feed her soon after she's woken up properly she shouldn't stay upset IYKWIM.

Cmar - Why would you not take your bub up out - yes, you have had a baby, why be a hermit and keep your bub in a bubble inside the house, never to see fresh air, the sun, or be stimulated by another environment. Pfft to her. And my tummy was back down in a couple of days (I mean it's never totally flat because I'm not a size 8 I'm a 12) but could not tell I'd had a baby at all before a week was up and yes - everyone feels the need to comment. I DID put on weight (Read: 16kg, lost 7 first couple of weeks, looks like maybe half thus far this week as am trying to shed the remaining 8) but the weight I put on was spread around me and not at all on my tummy, so with such strong afterpains my uterus was back in my pelvis within a couple of days and wasn't big enough for my skin and abdo muscles to be too affected so at least my tummy is back even though I don't fit into any of my 10's.

[deletedit]

I'm still in maternity jeans and very bump-y - I put on 21kg and babystuff was 8kg of that. I had my last in summer so I wore skirts, so theres no jeans in the house that fit. Lots of 8s and 10s, no 12s ... I want a support girdle thing but can't find any on ebay in a small.

My little lump keeps falling asleep when I feed him. Actually, he sleeps through most things, even his sister throwing cars over his head into a bucket. And you can MOVE him when he's asleep. DD#2 was (is) virtually impossible to get to sleep, would wake when a pin dropped and was impossible to move once she was asleep so this is all new to us He's a really good baby, she was horrible.

[BlackRose]

Hi Mummas!

Just trying to catch up on all the latest happenings while my little man gets some shut eye. No double he'll be up for his next feed in the next hour or so...

Elf - Sounds like you have a model baby! Share your secrets!! Please !!!

Sas - Yeah I heard about those "Mums and bubs" sessions at the cinema. I was thinking of going and checking it out, but my sis and I have see the previous twighlight movies together so it's become our "thing" to do... besides, I really really really want some me time, just for a couple of hours. And it will do DH good to be with Lachlan alone... will make him understand sort of what I am doing every day all day! But once I'm feeling more settled I have a girlfriend with a 3 month old who lives nearby so we might organise a movie session then. Sounds like you're having a tough time with your BF, I hope it's all settling down for you now and your supply is getting better.. have you tried the herbal suppliments - Fenugreek and Milk thistle I was reading up on... oh yeah and drink plenty of water!!

cmarfol - woohoo let it all out baby!! How annoying to have total strangers comment to you on how you shouldn't be bringing your baby out yet... *pfft* to them I say! I mean, don't bring bubba out in the dead of winter around massive crowds in the middle of swine flu season, but a simple trip to the shopping centre isn't going to do too much harm as long as they don't have too many people just randomly come up and touch or hold them right?

Poopie - I'm trying to keep Lachlan up more during the day... but when he wants to sleep he gets grizzly and just wants cuddles and then he's out like a light. But I have tried to keep the house bright and airy, normal noises of the TV, washing machine and normal talking... and I have tried to spread out his feeds in between changes, burping and tummy time and playing on the play mat. His sleeping pattern is still feed for 1 hour, sleep for 2... but I think he's going through a growth spurt or something at the moment cos he needs a 'top up feed' sometimes only an hour after feeding..

Mummy2Aiden - hello! So impressed that you are going solo with your 2 little ones. My hat is off to you. Sometimes I am so glad when DH gets home from work so I can let him deal with Lachlan for a bit so I can have a break.

AFM - Does anyone else's LO have episodes of grunting and straining and loads of farting just before they wake up? We notice for around 30 mins before he starts waking up for a feed Lachlan starts to grunt and fart like a trooper. I've been doing the tummy massage a little and pumping his little legs. Not sure if that's helping. It does sound like he's in pain but he doesn't cry at all... his poos are the normal yellow colour, quite thin... but does a good couple of solid-ish poos a day. I'm figuring its just wind... he does good burps but is a massive guts on the boob...
We had professional photos taken of Lachlan yesterday, I hope they turn out OK.
I'm still feeling a little emotional, but I think it's the lack of sleep that's killing me. Seriously, I would sell my first born son for a good 10 hours solid sleep!! hehehe I keep thinking that "this too shall pass" but maaaaaaaan sometimes I don't know if I can string sentances together I get so tired. Last night DH made me go to bed at 6:30pm! Lachlan woke at 8:30, 11:30, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30. So I guess I managed to get some sleep in blocks. I must say, I do feel alot better for it. When do they start sleeping for more than 3 hours at a time!! I'll take 5 hours any day!

Sorry, a bit of a whinge there... I'm going to make something to snack on for lunch before Lachlan wakes up... Take care mummies!!

Erica xx

[mummy2aiden]

cmarfol: that night I had the worst sleep! lol .. we didnt get to sleep till 1:20am .. But every other nights been good .. Every 3-4 hours .. Once or twice its been closer to 5 .. I couldn't imagine how hard the night feeds would be bottle feeding, I find it hard enough trying to get her to latch on with my eyes still adjusting to being open, let alone measuring powder and stuff .. lol ..

sas85: I went out already, just a walk to the post office, and then to my grandmas for lunch .. She was much nicer this time .. Last time when I dropped in on the way home from the hospital, she had a few 'not very nice' comments .. eg "Ohh chinese" & "How can you call that cute" .. yup, talkng about Ayva. When Aiden was a newborn he was a "little jap baby" .. They are half vietnamese .. But my genes were dominant .. lol .. And this time I gained 20kg .. but i gain/lose really easy .. I went on a diet last year and I ate 1300 cals a day, which was what I was supposed to be eating so not a diet really .. And i lost 10kg in a month .. Without really doing any excercise .. I just really love food .. lol ..


Erica1980: Its not easy thats for sure .. But its all worth it My dad helps. He had Aiden the night I was in hospital (first time lol) and he does stuff like mows the lawn and he got my groceries last week. And did my washing last week too .. I'm really close with my dad I love him lots My mums 8 hours away, down on the south coast ..

And with the farting, thats why little miss was awake till 1:20am (from 8:30) .. everytime I put her dwn she'd wake up, so i tried the belly rub and the legs and she did 3 of the biggest farts i'd ever heard out of a newborn .. lol .. then she slept for 4 hours .. I burp her after but I guess some still stays in there .. So now I know how she is when she has wind. Its hard deciphering everything at first ..

[deletedit]

Elf - Sounds like you have a model baby! Share your secrets!! Please !!!

Luck of the draw. His big sister was horrible to live with. My partner was so stressed we'd get another one like her, so this new baby is a pleasant surprise

Personally I think that anyone who sternly tells you that routines are all you need to settle ANY baby were just blessed with good babies that you can get into a routine to start with. These people were placed on this earth to make us feel inadequate. If you get a bad one, virtually NOTHING will get them back to sanity.

My partner is getting sleep deprivation though. He's normally a bad sleeper and wakes easily, so he normally goes to bed very late and gets up very late, but I'm co-sleeping (its cold) in our bedroom and he has the lounge with the cat, just until the baby is sleeping a bit longer at night. So at 7:15 every morning, our toddler barges in on him and DEMANDS he get up/dressed/turn on ABC/make her breakfast. She'd normally leave him sleep in until 11am .. poor thing

[*Infinity*]

Hi all

Sorry not much time for personals but just wanted to pop in and say hello and see how you're all going. Life is crazy busy for us right now but I'm pleased to say that DD is going so well in NICU. She regained her birthweight over the last few days which is a great milestone, so we're really happy. And everything else is going well, she just has a whole lot of growing to do LOL!

I feel like I spend half my days with my breast pump expressing for her but I know how important it is so makes it all worthwhile. I'm tired but managing somehow, I don't think the adrenalin has worn off.

Take care xox enjoy having your bubbas home in your arms.....I miss my baby girl so much.

[Leigh26]

Hi Girls,

Do you mind if I join this group too? I had my 3rd baby via c/s on the 23rd of June. Her name is Lexie. She was born at 35 wks and 6 days so technically she isn't due until the 22nd of July. We have two other girls as well, our eldest is 5yrs and our middle girl is 20 mths.

So far things are going well. Lexie is quite a good baby (thank god)! I'm breast feeding and because she was born early I am trying to stick to a 3 hrly feeding schedule which is quite hard because sometimes she is too tired and not interested in feeding. I have to wake her every 3 hrs but I find if I let her wake on her own she wakes around the 4 hrly mark and has a much better feed.

We have her sleeping in our room in the bassinet but I find I'm not getting much sleep with her in there. I am a really light sleeper and like your bub Erica, she has episodes of grunting, straining and farting (all while still asleep) for about 30 - 60 mins before waking up. I keep thinking I should put her in her own room to sleep each night just to see if it helps me sleep but I know that I will just worry about her being in there.

Sorry for the lack of personals but I am going to go for a shower while I have a spare 5 mins.

I look forward to getting to know you all!

[Asparagus and Lemons]

Rump - Carnation Milk? As in the tinned stuff!? Goodness!

My boobies arent the greatest either sas, After the boob infection, I still have alot of pain in one side when Harlee is feeding. Its horrible, I have been tempted to just feed off one side but I know I would be worse off. Although I do have a large supply of milk, so I feel for you in that aspect.

As for the blues, I am getting better, I have realised its not just the new baby thing that is getting me down. Its dh (and his family) He does not help anymore, unless I beg him because he says he 'works' and cant do anything. I dont get that. He still expects me to make dinner for him and do all the housework for him. He gets home from work and plays with the dog and plays in the shed before he decides to come inside and say hello to his family. EVERY weekend for a while now he has been spending with his friends going motorbike riding and visiting them at their house. During the week he has 2 or 3 'boys nights' Last saturday I managed to get the vaccuuming done, I moped, tidyed the whole house, cleaned all surfaces, washed the sheets, rearranged the lounge to fit Harlees cot in better and did 2 more loads of washing while Harlee slept. Then Harlee had a moment and one of my friends came over in the arvo to help out. Harlee was screaming when dh came home and he had the guts to get pooed off at me in front of my friend because I didnt put wood in the fire(it was still going though!) AND I did not take out the rubbish. My friend felt very awkward. I then asked dh if he could grab the washing off the line and he made lots of thumping and made a big fuss about it. When my friend left, I was in tears.. again. Dh had gone out again to find firewood.. not that we need any.. so I was alone again. But the MIL tells me he needs a break from the Havock in our household. He needs 'his' time. She also told me yesturday that its a 'good idea' if when we have guests over I should lock myself in my bedroom to feed Harlee.
Oh and we were about to get an early night on thursday.. I got Harlee to sleep at 7.30pm, dh was in the shower, and I turned off the lights and was about to put Harlee down when IN BARGE THE INLAWS.. 'oh are you going to have an early night? how nice.' Then they fuss around rubbing Harlee's head and wake her up. They hang around for an hour and a half and Harlee doesnt get to sleep till 10.30. Nevermind them saying they would never enter if the lights are off.. Or who cares about calling first!
And dh refuses to turn off his phone.. quite often while we are sleeping OFF goes his phone and wakes everybody up. He has the most loudest, frustratingest ringtone you could imagine. I want to hit him really hard with something really hard.
So really Harlee is the least of my worries at the moment.
..complain much?

Also I have been demand feeding.. rather than routining it, Harlee has her own way of doing things, but feeding every 2 hours.. is that normal? It seems like a lot to me!! Sometimes she tries to get a feed an hour after a feed too! The last 2 days she has not had any awake time either.. Im starting to worry.. maybe a growth spurt? She's so quiet and I have nothing to do during the night but.. sleep?

cmar - Harlee has a burping problem too, sometimes I will be burping her up to her next feed, and quite often she'll wake 10 mins after I put her to sleep because she has wind. Its a real pain because its usually when I have *just* gotten into bed. I have been told to give her a few drops of camomile or gripe water before I feed her but I've not yet attempted it. I'm not prepared to put anything other than a boobie in her mouth just yet. Another way to get rid of wind out the other end is to massage the belly downwards, and then hold the feet and gently push the knees into the belly, Harlee will usually do a good poop and fart after Ive done that a few times. And we'll def be around at christmas time!!

Dansta - OOOoo the poosplosions! Harlee has done 3 (YES 3!!) TODAY!! They are messy messy messy.. and the poo often sticks to her bum and legs so I've ended up getting a bowl of water and washing her from head to toe. icky.

Has anybodys bubs been experincing the sneeze/farts? I reakon its a crack up! So lady like too.. hiding her farts with a cough or a sneeze. hehehe..

[Bad Mummy]

Poopie - yup, 2 hourly feeds is pretty normal. I'm sorry things aren't that great for you at home, sometimes family/partners have really high expectations and really don't understand what your life is really like.

We've been having a few really difficult days lately. Abi's become really clingy and wont let us put her down, she wants to nurse almost constantly--sometimes all I do is change sides. I'm ending up in tears most evenings because she wont stop crying. I don't really know what to do with her or if it's a problem with me, milk wise :|

[Dansta]

poopie: tell your DH to get his bum into gear. his job is (we'll guessume lol) 9am-5pm. yours is 24/7 he can give you some slack. as for your IL's they rock up whip your boob out and leave it out! dont like it FARK off. i've done it before to my family LOL. your house your rules. you want to have your boobie out to "dry it" after a feed DO IT! dont feel you need to be a prude like your MIL. pfft to her. she can deal with it. as for the 2hr feeds yeep normal. growth spert. from memory they happen at 2,4,6 and 12 weeks i think. so enjoy LOL

BadM: could be a growth spert and wanting more milk. vic is like that too some times.

AFM: just found out my cousins who are expecting twins will have their little girls earth side within a week seeing as twin A is having cord flow issues. i'm in a spin for them. better go and see if i can hunt down some clothes for my cousin to wear while in hospital...

[deletedit]

LOL yes, tinned milk. Those were the days.

Poopie - your life sounds awful at the moment. I couldn't live like that. Does he even know what he is like?

Has anybodys bubs been experincing the sneeze/farts? I reakon its a crack up! So lady like too.. hiding her farts with a cough or a sneeze. hehehe..

I have a boy. He waits for quiet patches in the TV or gaps in conversation and does amazing ripper extended loud farts that make my lap vibrate. Hmmmmmmm.

[AngelPants]

poopie- i would give him a gd kick up the bum. my trick is to just do nothing at all and say sorry, ive had my hands full, how much have u done? or pull the sexist card....

on 2nd thoughts i will gladly come and kick him for u

[sas85]

Wow Poopie - Would I be right in guessing your DH doesn't have many friends who are Fathers yet, it just sounds like he has absolutely NO idea how time consuming it is looking after a baby BUT on the other hand if he needs soooo much ME time, then he must know it's totally, totally hectic work - so which is it? I would be bringing up the unreasonableness and contradiction of piling on the expectations of being a stepford wife with the meticulous house (and it sounds like you did super well too) as if it's breezy having a baby and you just sit around all day playing with her like a doll, or it being so stressful for him to even be present while you deal with the hecticness of looking after bub that he has to have time out - seems like he needs someone he respects to sit down and talk to him about it as it sounds really overwhelming for you chicky.Dopn't suppose its possible for you to leave DH with Harlee, a list of chores, and some EBM while you have some me time to show him what is really involved with looking after bub and house.
Boob infections are nasty, I had really bad cracked nipple with DD1 led to mastitis and it was awful, I hope yours finally clears up once and for all soon.
2 Hourly feeds - totally normal, totally healthy, 8-12 feeds minimum for most breastfed babies at this age in a day.

Dansya - We're so tough on ourselves, even the things beyond our control bubs being born sick isn't something you can do anything about, but fwiw my mum had two born sick with infections in SCN really ill, and then I was born and was fine and healthy it was no reflection on her mothering or ability to birth a bub that she happenned to have two sick ones, just coincidence I have seen lactation consultant plus MHCN's plus got advice from Barb Glare on here with both girls plus my GP - I have awesome attachment, a beautiful feeder and no issues at the start of our breastfeeding relationship like I did with DD1 but the same massive supply issue - I'm just one of those 1% but it breaks my heart and I'm terrified I'm going to have to comp so much more once I come down off the motillium (I just can't stay on it long term again, I can't hack the headaches and not that I care now or even intend on trying soon but it totally, totally kills my libido, and ends up costing me about as much as formula anyway, more so if I take it with fenugreek )

Elf: Thanks, you are no doubt right. Carnation Milk shudder, yes, that is why it says on the tin now it is not an adequate milk food for under 2's because they used to use it a lot back then, eeeep!

BM - You're doing better than me, I can't hack what I call 'the constant feed attempt" Where I've been drained dry and am switching back and forth between boobs but bub is getting more and more worked up and no swallowing is happening. What are bubs nappies like, are you getting the prescribed wet and dirty nappies? If you are it is probably just the 6 weekish growth spurt happenning with bub working to get your milk up, if you are worried about wet nappies, take bub for a weigh and to you MHCN which will let you know if it could be a legitimate milk issue or if its just bubs fussy period.

So - everyone: Other than you skinny-minny me's - how much weight does everyone have to lose still? I have 8-10kg to be back to pre DD1&2's weight, about 5 to get back into my pants comfortably, and am too damn tired to excercise Woe.