Babies born~June 1st-15th 2010 #1

[Flossie]

HI everyone,

I don't get on here much with a 3 year old and a 2 week old but will try to!
Just a quick run down.
I had my 2nd daughter on 4th June by elective Caesar. Jessica was born at 12:05pm and her big sister Olivia (3 in July) is just in love with her - but is being a very naughty girl as well.
I had a C-Sect because I had a 3rd degree tear with Olivia and that was just awful.
The first 2 weeks have been a roller coaster with feeding, the same problem I had with Olivia. I expressed feed her for 3 months, tried desperately to do feed Jessica. Everything seemed to be going ok (same old cracked nipples etc). Apparently the attachment was spot on but it was still hurting me! The lactation nurse put it down to ultra ultra sensitive skin/nipples. So I am expressing all feeds, very tiring and a lot of work. BF just doesn't work for me, I was a mess for the 2nd week but since Friday I have decided to express for at least 2 months.

Other than that, Jessica seems to be a great little sleeper. She was jaundice so she may still have a bit of that in her, but we have been lucky with her sleeping routine so far, we just have to try and give her some awake time during the day - its SO hard, she usually crashes straight after the bottle.

Anyway, just wanted to come and say hi, will read some of your stories now. I will try to get on once a week but its a bit hard - I have hardly turned on my PC since being home, lucky DH is home for 1 month and has his work laptop - I don't have to leave the couch

Cheers,

[entreat]

ok, so it's in the early AM for me again! just had a good feed with Jack & am trying to get this last burp out of him. He just had a stellar sleep (about 5 hours!), but I'm hoping this feed will tide him over until 5am at the earliest. I've watch the critical bits of the Dunstan baby language dvd, and it has been really interesting. hopefully it will help in calming my nerves. I just changed him & he was making the 'Eh' sound, which is for needing a burp. So I tossed him up on my shoulder & taptaptap, out it came! He's down now & appears to be asleep.

i am feeling an almost constant anxiety that i can't seem to put a finger on. like I'm about to go on stage. i don't know how many times i cried yesterday - it seemed almost constant. mum is going to take a week off work to help me get sorted. i'm not worried about the feeding as i know he's getting more than enough. i'm mostly worried about sleep for DH & me, and why i seem to really struggle to settle Jack. But then, even with him safe & sleeping, I have this feeling in my chest like I'm holding my breath. But you're right SAK, I need more sleep. Poor DH looked as ragged as I have ever seen him, but he let me get some extra hours sleep. I'm also scoffing some homeopathic meds a girlfriend gave me & it seems to be helping.

We also went for our first walk in the pram today - I did two blocks because I was a bit sore, but DH continued for another. After he stopped crying, Jack just laid back & watched.

Welcome to Flossie & Klee!

Flossie - I have flat & sensitive nipples, which didn't help when I was feeding after the c-s & still had very low feeling in my breasts. A bit of damage sustained on the first feed! But thanks to the breast feeding homeopathic kit, tonight was my first pain free feed. Fingers crossed it continues. In the hossy, every second nurse wanted to see if I was latching him properly because of the soreness, and they all said the same thing: the latch is perfect.

SAK - no good about the mastitis. I've been using a heat pack to soften up the hard bits, and try to massage them before & during a feed. Overabundance is a massive understatement for what I'm providing! I named my left boob Mt Vesuvius, and the right one Mt St Helens ('cause she's smaller) - always a good sign when you name them after volcanoes!

Seph - top work on feeding. I find the football hold is the only way I can feed for now. Mum's trying to teach me the rest, but Mt Vesuvius just runs like a tap & Jack ends up wet & frustrated.

Missymoo - you are such an inspiration. even with the help I'm getting, I'm struggling to see past the end of the day & stay positive, but I really like reading your status updates on FB. How you are juggling those 4 boys is a mystery to me, but they are inspirational.

Ok, I'm off to bed.

[Persephone1]

Hi Ladies,

Just a quick one from me. Hi and welcome to Flossie!

Entreat, your anxiety sounds awful, I hope it eases for you, and I'm glad your Mum can take some time to help out. Feel free to talk about it here - as you know, overcoming anxiety has been a big thing for me, and I'm happy to share if you think it will help. Make sure you access all the help you can, whether it's from your Mum, the MCHN, an LC or a postnatal Doula - although not sure how much help there is in sunny Kalgoorlie!

SAK, bummer about the mastitis, I hope you're resting up and feeling better.

My first MCHN visit is tomorrow afternoon, and I guess I'd be excited if I actually knew what she was coming to do - apart from weighing DS, I have no idea what her job is. Plus, I feel like I'm covered with support from my Doula and my GP who are both fantastic.

I'm meeting with my old psychologist a couple of times to try and debrief the birth. I have a lot of grief to go through, particularly about the first hour after the birth, which was such a sacred thing for me, and has been lost forever because of DS's condition in the last stage of labour. I will eventually write it all down and process it. I'm grateful though that everything else is feeling much better - my attachment and love for DS is second to none, and I'm enjoying motherhood. I'd like to be able to move past the birth so that it's not affecting me like it has been.

Got to go and SLEEP. for everyone.

[Visitor8]

SAK. You poor thing I've never had mastitis but I hear it can be super painful and you feel quite crook! I hope you are feeling on top of the world very soon. Must be horrible not being able to enjoy bubs because you're not well. The lumps and pain does settle I promise. I think it was about 5 days after my milk came in that it all settled down for me. Usually within 2 weeks though. You'll find that you don't feel full at all. The let down still hurts for me but it did with Ashton for a long time. And I totally hear you on the leaks. Google "Sustainable Hemp Products" and check out their bamboo velour breast pads Lovely and soft and nice and absorbent for the leaks.
Re: routine, I don't have a strict one. We have certain things that are done same time every day, but I spend a lot of time out of the house so it's got to be flexable. But I'll do a rough run down.

Mon - Fri I'm up at 7.30am at the latest for the school run. Kids usually wake up at around 6.30-7 and watch telly until I get up, I'll get Ash up at 7.30 when I get up. Breakfast, showers, dressed and leave by 8.30.
11-2 is Ashtons nap time if we're home. If we are out he'll sleep in the pram or carrier but not usually for as long, maybe an hour. I use the first half hour of home sleep to tidy, then I'll relax. This is MY time. No matter what I use this time to relax and sleep or watch telly.
2.30 head to the school for pick up. Usually get home about 3.30-4 after everyones had snuggles with Elijah haha
Dinner is at 5.30.
Then it's the 4 B's. Bath, Brush teeth, Book for calm and Bed. Kids are in bed by 6.30.
Then I wash up, put some washing on, sweep and mop the floors and tidy up any mess I can see.
Then it's MY time again. Telly, another shower some days to wind down.

Monday is our 'whatever day'. We have no set activities for this day, so it's always different. It's open clinic at the MCHN so i've been heading there most weeks. We might also take a wander to the beach or shops. Or it might be my stay home day. One thing that always happens is I catch up on housework and washing.
Tuesday we have 'Chat and Munch' which is just a playgroup where we cook something healthy every week for lunch. Ashton loves it and I love the adult conversation.
Wednesday is a big day. We have kinda gym at 9.30-10.30, snack for half hour, Reading Together at the library at 11-12. Then we go to the park for lunch. Playgroup at the school at 1pm-2.30. School pick up. Then Jaidan has soccer practice at 4.15 till 5.15.
Thursday is 'Rock and Rhythm' for the littlies. LOVE this!
Friday is playgroup at the boys school.
Saturday Jaidan has soccer in town.
Sunday is my NOTHING day LOL

So yeah busy busy. Keeping busy is what keeps me going actually. I love the playgroups, I am a very social person so I need the adult interaction and I love taking the boys to fun things and seeing them interacting with other kids and learning new things! I recommend everyone start in a playgroup as soon as you can!! Sometimes it takes a while to find one you like, I went to a lot in Hobart before finding one I loved.

Entreat, look at a carrier hun. If you go to my page and scroll down a bit you'll find a link for "Close Carriers" on ebay, they were half price. The BEST thing I did was get a carrier. Those days when Jack just doesn't want to be put down and seems unsettled, you'll find it a God sent. I wouldn't be without it and I never leave the house without it either! Even if I take him in the pram.

I juggle because I have to. I have no choice. I have 4 little men who rely on me for everything, and I have bad days just like you all will too

Flossie welcome I loved the 3 year age gap!! It was great because Chase was old enough to do a lot of things on his own, he was out of nappies, and quite independent, so it wasn't too much of a handful having Ashton come along

Sarah, your MCHN will talk to you about lots of things hun Safe sleeping, breastfeeding, what is normal and whats not. It's great if you can build a relationship with her, because she'll be in your life for the next 5 years until Archie goes to school. Helen is my MCHN and she is just wonderful!! In the past i've had moments where I've just wanted to go and talk to someone and get things off my chest, so I've booked an appointment with her, gone in and chatted about (Ashton at the time) behaviour, his dad being a jerk, and it's nice that she's listened and boosted me up when I needed it. I love stopping in to see her, I always leave feeling like I am doing a great job. She always says I am doing a wonderful job on my own and it's always what I need to hear from her.

From me, well I was having attachment issues with Elijah. I mean he was attaching and feeding but it was uncomfortable for me, and he was making this clicking noise and pulling off the nipple. So today I went to see Helen and she showed me some tips on feeding a newborn and getting the right position and the problem was solved!! So quick and such a small thing I was doing wrong. It's weird because I fed Ashton until he was almost 14 months but it's so different feeding a newborn compared to a toddler and I'd forgotten how!! She did say to me that Elijah is also learning so I need to teach him, which is so true! Problem solved though and today all his feeds have been pain free and clicking free Thank Goodness because I was thinking of getting nipple shields and didn't want to go down that path unless I had to! Oh and he is now 4.3kg!!

xo

(P.S. If you blog I'd love it if you popped by mine and left a link to yours I need more blogs to read!!)

[Visitor8]

LMAO sorry that is an epic post!

[smamfa]

Hi everyone, can I hang in here and chat to you, there is no-one in my thread yet... can't believe i officially missed this thread by 2 days. And can't believe that Zach arrived pretty much exactly on his due date - I had the 16th as my dd, but my Ob had the 17th, and as it was I went into labour on the 16 and delivered early on the 17th - very unlike anyone in this family to be so prompt

Am totally in love with baby Zachary, he is sooo cute! Has been unsettled during the night so am feeling pretty wiped out right now, but even so, fundamentally more relaxed than with my first, at least so far!

Entreat hun I really feel for you, I think I was a bit strung out the first time around - every night I would wake up looking for the baby, so that even when the baby was safe and sleeping in his cot I would be waking myself up and being a freak!! (and I did this for months :-/ ) Sleep dep becomes a bit of a vicious cycle, the less sleep you get the more worried you get about it and the harder it is to sleep. Make a little rule for yourself that when bubba is asleep you put him down and then lie down yourself, whether or not you sleep.

Well I didn't get the faster-and-easier 2nd birth I'm sure I was promised! I preferred my first birth experience to this one... I had an epidural that didn't work, and a vacuum extraction, but all's good that ends well I guess. They had to take Z down to the neonatal unit shortly after he was born, so he and dh were gone for more than an hour and a half and I was left there by myself thinking 'where is my baby?' But I had fallen in love with him the instant they lifted him out onto my chest, so held a little picture of him in my mind while he was gone. I got to give him a little suckle before they left too so that was good.

dh is calling me to mind ds in the bath so i will bbl

xx all you clever mummas

[Persephone1]

Hi Ladies,

Am trying to get in a post between feeds, which are pretty haphazard at the moment. Have had an interesting 24 hours.

Smamfa, and welcome to Zachary. Please hang around here as long as you like!

DS is feeding well, although he definately prefers the left breast, and to be honest it's easier to attach him on that side, so I prefer it too. It's a bit annoying trying to feed him on the RHS in public, when he won't latch on, but we'll get there. I also managed to feed him lying down last night, which is only the third time, so going to keep practising that.

Last night DS fed on both boobs for ages - feeding, burping, feeding, for about an hour. I burped him at the end, then lay him down on the bed. He got the hiccups as per usual, but 5 minutes later vomited the ENTIRE feed all over the bed. I was so distraught - I'd been feeding him for so long, and there it was spread all over the bedsheet. He didn't show any sign of distress about vomiting, but was pretty desperate to feed again given he'd just emptied his stomach. So I spent another 45 minutes feeding him before he finally fell asleep. Anyway, I saw my GP today and asked her why he might have vomited and she said that I must have overfed him I thought it was basically impossible to overfeed a bfed baby. My Doula said that it's unlikely that he overfed and more likely that it's just a once-off and perhaps a response to my supply increasing. Anyway, I was pretty upset that my GP's comment left me questioning myself for the rest of the day, but I've decided to ignore her comment and continue to feed him as he asks for it. Most of the time he stops feeding by falling off the breast, and won't settle if I stop feeding him any earlier than that.

I also had a visit from my MCHN. It was anti-climactical, to say the least. She didn't even introduce herself when she arrived, just said "So what did you call him, then?" She didn't look at DS, or talk to him when she weighed him. Why would you be a MCHN if you don't even like cuddling babies? She had the personality of a flea. I'm a bit disappointed, particuarly after what Missymoo sasid about her relationship with her MCHN, but I'll see how we go at the next appointment and if she's still not showing any kindness then I'll stop going and stick with my GP (although after her comments today, perhaps I'll be finding someone else to see there as well).

Managed to bathe DS today with only a few tears at the end when he got a bit cold. He's so soft and snuggly when he's been bathed!

DH is home for another 2 and a half weeks, which is fantastic for helping me and spending lots of time together with DS. But sometimes he drives me a bit mad - he won't let anyone touch DS unless they've warmed their hands (fair enough that DS doesn't like getting cold, but I think DH is being a bit precious and our friends and family think he's being weird). He's also been putting the dummy in DS's mouth to soothe him, even though it's obvious that DS is hungry. I think he's feeling a bit useless when it comes to soothing him because I'm the one with the food, and I feel a bit sorry for him, but even after I've told him that DS needs to eat and that the dummy doesn't really help, he's now taken to giving it to him when I'm not looking

Anyone else's baby have some weird facial expressions and noises when they're dreaming? DS's eyes roll into the back of his head and he smiles at me, and he scrunches up his face into some weird contortions too. It's kinda freaky! He also breathes at a million miles an hour, sort of like a hyperventilation with trumpet noises.

I'm taking DS to meet all my workmates tomorrow - lots of aunty cuddles for DS, and chocolate cake for me.

Hope everyone is coping okay with the sleeplessness and trying at least to get lots of rest. for everyone.

[starangelk]

Yayayayyaayya Smamfa!!! I am so happy you are going to be in here and happy to hear from you in general! Can't wait to hear more about the birth and your gorgeous little man.

Missymoo - thanks for typing out your routine.......it sounds amazing. You totally have it all under control. No doubt there are still moments where you wonder what's going on but you've now given DH and I something to aspire too.

Seph - X prefers the left side too and latches on perfectly. RHS is a bit of a pain and that's my mastitis side. Feeling much better today though and managed to go to the office for an hour yesterday even so it's a win. That said, there is no way I can be BF in public at the moment considering my other boob leaks and leaks when I am feeding so I need to do the whole feed with a towel strapped to my chest. It's soooo annoying. It's something I need to raise with the midwife. We have an appointment with the MCHN again today and I must say, I really like mine. She is really kind and lovely but I wouldn't say she is super cuddly or all over X. She is pretty relaxed with her and doesn't hold her or even touch her much, DH and I handle X and she just speaks to us about whatever. Also X did a gigantic spew last night too, it was massive and went everywhere. It was about 30 mins after she had finished her feed after waking up from a mammoth sleep! So we bathed her and I just fed her again but she was pretty hungry by then.

I am a bit worried as all of your babies seem to be putting on heaps more weight than X........she's past her birth weight again so I know there is nothing to really worry about but we are getting her weighed again today so we'll see how things go.

Have a great day all.

[Visitor8]

Just a quick one to day

I can't believe my baby boy is 3 weeks old today! HOLY CRAP that's flown.

That's all lol better get back to dinner!

[entreat]

I have a question ladies - how long are your babies feeding for? Jack feeds anywhere from 10mins to 25 mins (but takes about an hour to get it in with burps & needing to wake him up!), with loads of wet & dirty nappies. I wish I could take away his gas pain. Poor boy. He's been really good for a couple of days & this arvo he was squarking badly, and being really fussy to feed. We ended up getting three large burps from him before I could finish & finally put him down.

I saw the MCHN today. She was lovely, but I can't see a relationship forming like MissyMoo has with hers. In fact, I gather in this town, unless you're high risk, you rarely see a MCHN. I told her about my anxiety & that it is getting better every day. She was pleased i have my Mum in town to support me. But enough of that... Jack has managed to eclipse his birth weight (by about 10 grams, I think!) & she said he looks great. His cheeks are so chubby now, he has bags under his eyes. Makes him look horribly tired! And I had her look at my C-section wound, as part of it was gaping when I had the staples taken out (held together with Steri-Strips). I then had to get an appointment with the doctor (almost impossible!!) to get a prescription for antibiotics because it's a bit red. I'm only moderately concerned about how it's gonna heal. There's a bit that kind of hangs over the other side of wound... I don't really know how to describe it. Lucky DH said he'd love me anyway.

How funny it is that when we were in the BellyBuddies thread, we would be posting so much, but nw none of us have time to post!
Hope you're all well.

[Visitor8]

you don't see your MCHN that often unless you want to. You generally have one home visit, then a 6 week visit. Look in your blue book that the hospital gave you, there are pages in there for checkups. 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 3.5 years. They also hold "open sessions" here and possibly where you are, where you can go to check bubs weight and ask any little questions you have. These appointments usually last about 15 minutes at the most. Otherwise you can ring and make an appointment MCHN's are basically there if you have any concerns about development, feeding, sleeping etc etc. They don't tend to 'cluck' over the babes, but they should be friendly. However there are always the lemons, I've had them before...

Re: feeding. Elijah only takes about 10 minutes to feed. He'll only feed from one side then fall asleep. Then I burp and leave him. He'll go about 2-3 hours most times before another feed. Sometimes less than 2 hours but not that often. I don't wake him up. I also change his nappy before a feed not after one side. I don't think babies should be woken up to feed. I wouldn't like to be woken up to eat. Of course that is my opinion

Have you tried feeding Jack on an angle. By that I mean holding him so he is kinda 'sitting' in your lap instead of laying flat sideways. Head above feet, not parallel. Might help the wind come up. This is how I hold Eli most of the time unless we are laying down to feed.

I see a lot of FB posts about unsettled bubbas at night. Hope you don't mind me telling you how I do night feeds. I did this with ashton and Elijah and both boys went straight back to sleep after a feed.
When they start to make 'hungry' noises, usually little squeeks and stuff, BEFORE they start to cry, I get them and put them to the breast. I don't turn a light on, only the telly goes on (which I mute before bed) so there is a dim glow. I don't talk to them, or stroke them or anything. Most of the time I don't change at night because Elijah is in a night nappy and doesn't poo overnight. The goal is less stimulation. The more 'awake' they get the harder for them to wind back down. Elijah will just have his 10 minute feed and fall back asleep, I will gently burp him then lay down and go back to sleep. This works well because I'm only awake for a max of 15-20 minutes 3 times a night. I also swear by his dummy. He has reflux and it helps him stop the spew fountain LOL

[entreat]

I have to feed Jack in an upright-football hold because of my large bb's, flat nipples, and that he kind of drowns a bit if he's laying down. Only twice have we successfully fed with him laying across me... and the second time was a nightmare on my nipple, and it's all been on the right bb (it's slightly smaller than the right). Actually, feeding him like I do results in him pulling a fist up to 'prop' his chin on, so he looks much like a lazy drunk leaning on the bar! He cracks me up!

Our night feeds are getting better, but I still make sure he's awake enough to feed properly, otherwise it turns into one hourly top-ups. He's much more settled at night (gets 3 to 4 hour blocks of sleep in). But I need to learn to let go after he's asleep again - I usually stay up an extra 30 to 60mins waiting for him to squark & need something. I guess it's just 1st timers anxiety. But I'm getting better.

Well, Dinner's ready & Jack's asleep, so I better get it while it's hot!

[Feueriosa]

Hi There!

Can I come and play in here? My little miss is 3 weeks old today! I was in the thread after most of you, but did a little stalking as I found out really early so played in your thread with Smamfa for a while! Gosh that seems so long ago!

Entreat - hi honey!! Thanks so much for coming to visit me is hossy! So sad we had left Perth already when your little one made his appearance! I hope your anxiety is settling down! I was very much the same when DS was born and it took me a while to realise it was just the magnitude of the change that he made in our lives that was making me feel that way. It really scared me that our comfortable life was never going to be the same again.. I dont think it went 100% till we managed a fantastic trip to Europe with him when he was 1 and I realised that life was not the same it was better with him! Hope things settle down to a nice 'normal' soon!

Klee - sounds like you are going great! So happy that everything worked out so well!

Re: feeding. Elijah only takes about 10 minutes to feed. He'll only feed from one side then fall asleep. Then I burp and leave him. He'll go about 2-3 hours most times before another feed. Sometimes less than 2 hours but not that often.

Glad to see that I am not the only one with a pretty frequent but fast feeder! My DS was really slow, but more around the 4hr mark so I was a bit worried. She has put on 750g in the 16 days since we left hospital, so figured she was getting enough, but she is also a bit of a spewer which has thrown me a little as DS never let anything out! I swear she has emptied her entire feed back over me/the bed/DH at least once a day for the last week! (you are not alone Persephone!) Broke out Baby Love and Robin assures me this is very normal and should resolve by one... sigh... I was quite happy with not being one of the covered in baby chuck mums.

[Livvielou]

Hi Ladies,
Thanks for directing me to here missymoo! Looks like I just scraped it in - Eadie being born June 15 weighing in at 7 pounds 9 ounces. I did leave a post in our 'due' thread, not realising that here now is the place to be.
I won't go into detail again here - needless to say i had a completely traumaticly long labour, EC and post surgery days which things were touch and go for myself and Eadie over that period. We arrived home last night so am still so weak
and out of it, I'll pop back once I settle in and catch up with everyone's special news then.

I hope all mamas and babes are doing well. I've really missed the posts from you all and can't wait to share our progress from here on in.

With Love,

Olivia