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

[belfie]

Just back from the GP. He said she's definitely colicky (duh!) and probably got reflux too - prescribed meds for it. Oh and she's got eczema .
My DS & DH have eczema, was really hoping she could avoid it. Plus I'd booked a photo session for this weekend, and now her face is all rashy. Plus I don't know if I should be starting her on the meds or not... am seeing my LC tomorrow so could get a second opinion (she's a midwife too) but maybe I should be starting them asap so poor little Annika would feel better. Aaah it's all just so annoying and I wish I knew the right thing to do .

[PanthaLily]

*hugs belfie* Just remember that being a mum is the toughest job in the world. You are an awesome Mum. You knew something was up with little A, you've done something about it, and now you know how to treat it. It's so hard when they're all upset and you can't figure out what they need. You are doing wonderfully!

As for us, we had a shocking day yesterday, and it looks like it's headed that way again. We went for a trip to Centerlink - oh gods, I loathe that place lol. Got there at 7.45 didn't get home til about 10/10.30ish. Fed bub (who hadn't slept since her 6.30 feed) and went to use the toilet, only to discover it was backed up (as were all my sinks). Called the real estate agent to get an emergency plumber in. He didn't arrive til 12.40 (by which stage I was absolutely busting and Lottie STILL hadn't slept - only cat naps). Turns out the previous tenants had been flushing stuff down the loo. Ended up getting my Dad over because I couldn't handle the screaming, over-tired baby. He spent half an hour with her and at about 6.30/7 finally got her to sleep. She ended up sleeping through til 11.30!! The woke up for a feed. And woke again at 2.45... and then again at 6.30. And we're back to cat naps today and not sleeping. I got my brother over to watch her while I caught an hours sleep.

I just feel so useless when she's screaming and I just can't figure out what's wrong. I burp her, I feed her, I change her, I make sure she's not hot or cold, I give her her favourite dummy... arg! ATM she's napping in her rocker.

Oh, and to add to all this... DH is coming down with a case of depression. He's lethargic and moody and really down on himself. I've suggested he look into whether he can get some free counselling sessions at work and that he come with me to the GP for my 6 week check-up. Whether or not he takes me up on the suggestions is another thing.

So yes, screaming, non-sleeping baby + depressed husband = over-tired, stressed & frazzled me.
Thank gods I've got a wonderful, supportive family who live 5 minutes down the road and are more than happy to help out.

Does anyone know much about male PND? I've heard of it, but that's about it.

Hope everyone is getting lots of sleep!!

[wite_wickah]

Have had an afternoon of Harlow NOT wanting to be put down..Luckily, my second babysling arrived today-a sleepywear..Oh my GOD amazing! I put her in it and she slept right away & It was so comfy I could do everything in it and she was upright and happy while she slept..was nice to be able to eat a Toblerone without having to put it down..!

Pantha- I don't know much about Male PND but I DO know it is common but most men just don't talk about it, hopefully DH can find the support needed and counselling might be a really great way to start, even looking online & finding some support groups online might be the way to go aswell?

[fuzzy]

thanks everyone for your re-assurance!

Wite - i just know my antibodies will be sky high as my finger tips are peeling - one of those weird side effects i get. That and i am losing weight while eating for australia. Already less than what i was pre-preg! Will get the GP to check me

Belfie and pantha - hugs to you both xx not sure about male PND sorry.

just remember how much our little ones love us and our DH's

[Chuckie]

Pantha - a mate of mine from work suffered from male PND after the birth of both his kids and it took him quite a while to deal with it. He is suseptable to that sort of thing and suffers from anxiety etc at the best of times. He advised me to make sure I kept an eye on DH and seek help for him if I saw any signs that he was headed down that path - get help.
As for centrelink - I live miles from the nearest office (like about 300km) and I was able to do all of my applying through the post and online - surely you can avoid the place - what a bloody nightmare with a newborn!! I have found that similar to the older kids I have looked after in the past, any change in routine is not good for Pearl and if we miss a sleep it is bad news for getting her down for her next one! Sounds like you had a real dozzy yesterday! Thank the lord you have a great family close by and can ask for help.

Belfie - it's all very well for the dr to tell you she is colicky but the problem with colic is there is nothing they can do about it - at least you got some meds for reflux. I don't know anything about eczma but have you tried putting breat milk on it - I know it sounds insane but I remember reading in a thread somewhere on herre about how it is great for all kinds of things and have been putting it on Pearl's face where the skin is really dry and flakey (and a bit yellow) and it seems to have helped in just one day - might be worth a try??

wite - I hear you on the afternoon thing - my niece cried every evening from about 5weeks to 12weeks and Pearl has been a little tricky in the arvos lately. Hopefully they will grow out of it by 12weeks.


Fuzzy - I don't have your questions in front of me but I agree with Buzzie's sentiments from earlier. I can also add that it takes just 1.5hrs to digest breast milk so it is not fair to expect tiny babies to go hungry for hours on end. Chloe sounds like she is doing really well from what you have said. Maybe you could ask your DH to do the overnight shift once a week or something so you can catch up with a solid night's sleep. Also I often have a nana nap uring the day if I feel tired because, particularly with breast feeding, your body needs the extra rest and even with the best babies who go straight back to sleep at night, your sleep is still interrupted and that catches up with you.

AFM - this arvo I tried a new method of feed, play, feed, sleep just for these whingy afternoons when I think she is extra hungry. It worked today so I am going to keep it up. Even though I am now on the pills my thrush does not seem to be improving much (if at all) since I am now taking ibeprofen the pain is not so bad but I just want it to go away completely. My mum comes tomorrow - she will be the first in my family to meet Pearl so that is exciting.

[belfie]

OMG - last feed yesterday... 8pm. Next feed... 6am!!! Wow now I feel I shouldn't complain! Interestingly I tried feeding her off just one boob last night (means I have to express the other) cos my LC said that the letdown on the new side can make them too full and can sometimes exacerbate reflux. So maybe it did help after all?? Thanks for the hugs/support. I guess the fact we went thru the whole eczema thing with Xander, plus he's got food allergies... so it just scares me that we're going down that path again - and it is a lot of work, plus of course you hate seeing your child uncomfortable. At it's worst we were doing a full body moisturise of Xander TWICE per up/feed. Not to mention the countless ways to deal with a poor itchy little baby . I'll just have to hope hers isn't as bad.

The breastmilk is a good idea but she's got it on her face where she already gets milk, so I don't think it would do much. Plus I tried it with Xander with no success at all. If it's bad enough you just need the medicated creams.

Pantha - I've heard of male pnd actually being much more common than ppl realuse and treatment would be same as for female pnd. Maybe start with GP & get referral to a good psych, or call something like the health nurse line. Also, look after yourself as much as possible cos it's hard on you too. Use any help you can get and try spend time with friends/family who will help keep you feeling positive , the mental stuff is so important to look after when youre dealing with the hard work of a newborn! (geez I'm reminding myself to do this lol).

Chuckie - totally agree re your comment about colic, it's a non-thing to say really!! Interestingly he also checked that I'd gone off dairy. Meh. I miss cheese lol, but small price to pay huh. That's so exciting re your mum coming!

Ok change time

[Buzzie]

Belfie - we have eczema in our family and I have it too. I think ash may of had a tad but I can't imagine a baby with a good dose of it poor Xander sounds horrible! Hope u find something that clears annikas up.

Pantha - I haven't heard of male pnd but my god that must be hard for u to have him with that and look after a bub. Hope he sorts it out and things get happier for u guys.

Isabella has been in a big time carry me everywhere mood. I would say it's her windy tummy so she manages to get some good sleeps if I put her on her tummy in her pram during the day.

Hope everyone has a lovely day. 28 here today! Yay

[belfie]

Hope everyone has a lovely day. 28 here today! Yay

Haha my washing is on now, thanks for telling me the forecast Buzzie!!

Wite - meant to ask, is your sling from the sleepywrap website? Am thinking I need to try one of the unstructured ones (I just have an ergo with baby insert)

[bec293]

Belfie - oh no poor Annika, I hope the eczema doesn't stick around. And more diet changes for you.. I don't know how you do it! I couldn't cope with no dairy or chocolate.

Chuckie - I hope your thrush has cleared up, sounds painful. How exciting your mum is finally getting to meet Pearl!

Pantha - I hope your DH is ok, I've never heard of male PND but it must be pretty hard for him, and you. hugs.

Hi to everyone else and your babies

Re: baby bonus, I got mine pretty quickly. It might depend which state you are in maybe? I wasn't expecting mine for a while, but I got my first payment on the 22nd Oct.

Oh I just got an email from the Baby BeeHinds rep here in Renmark, I've been trying to meet up with her to buy some nappies. Anyway, she emailed me back today to say that her two kids have whooping cough, and she could meet me without bringing her kids on Tuesday.. I'm scared!! Can adults pass on whooping cough if they don't have it but have been closely exposed to it? I'm terrified of Isaac getting it.

[wite_wickah]

Belfie- I got mine from Nursing Angel - Specialists in Breastfeeding, Breast Pumps & Baby Carriers and was suprised at how quickly it was delivered! It was a bit confusing to get on the first time as it is a really long length of fabric & you need to wrap it over & around etc but I found a tutorial on youtube & ebay and that was far easier than the instruction booklet that they give you for it. I have been told by a friend that over time the fabric might start to stretch or sag like a Hug a Bub does though but she tends to use hers daily which might be why. I also have anurture sling I bought form the Nurture sling website which I used for Jett and t was fantastic, I'd use it this time around but Harlow prefers being upright which is why i got the sleepwrap one!

[Deana]

Bec – I got told with holding Blake and bouncing lightly on the gym ball that he would love it and probably fall asleep, so I might try that to.


Wow I have a lot to catch up on so ill have to catch up on personals soon, blake is crying so better go

[belfie]

Oh I just got an email from the Baby BeeHinds rep here in Renmark, I've been trying to meet up with her to buy some nappies. Anyway, she emailed me back today to say that her two kids have whooping cough, and she could meet me without bringing her kids on Tuesday.. I'm scared!! Can adults pass on whooping cough if they don't have it but have been closely exposed to it? I'm terrified of Isaac getting it.

From what I've read, IF she's not immunized she could be infectious for up to 3 weeksz
If she is immunized, I guess she'd be ok but I'm not sure. I guess you could meet her and just not let her near him at all - but tbh if it was me I don't think I'd want to see her just in case. I'm pretty paranoid about it tho. One of my GF's bubs had it (just over 2 mths so had one shot) and he was sick for 3 months poor little man.

Wite thanks for the info about the sling. Would you be able to feed in it? I like the idea of having a sling I could feed in, but have never tried it before and a gf told me it's not possible - but I'm not sure I believe that lo

Well we feel like the losec is already helping little A, dunno if it's my imagination but she had a much better day yesterday, so will be interested to see how today goes. We're also getting some family pics taken so pls send me gorgeous vibes hopefully we'll get a good one for a thank you card. My friend is going to Photoshop A's eczema out (it's on her face).

[bec293]

thanks Belfie, I think I'll ask her if she's immunised, I doubt it though obviously her kids aren't if they've caught it. I think I know what I want to order, so I might just place an order with her and see if she can just bring that instead of spending time with her to look at the range.

Deana I hope Blake likes the bouncing! its guaranteed to calm Isaac so far so hopefully it works for you too!

[wite_wickah]

Belfie- I haven't tried feeding in it but have read online that you can, maybe pop onto the sleepy wrap official website & see if they say it can be done? I think most slings these days are designed to feed i but I know a few brands dont

[dory]

Bec - just quicky... about whooping cough - the reason babies are at risk from it is because they can't be vaccinated against it so rely on the adults around them to be. I would ask the lady is she's vaccinated and when she was vaccinated. Otherwise, just don't go near her... the nappies can wait.

Hi everyone else, I am catching up. Had the MIL here last week and didn't get much time to myself, surprisingly. I missed catching up with you, and now have loads to read.

Hannah is putting on weight and I have started to feed her one feed of EBM per day instead of her comp feed with formula, but forumla comps for the rest of the feeds during the day. Will have to see how it goes. She is such a contented baby now, compared to before. I just can't believe the change in her and so glad it seems to be she was just hungry. LOL poo-nami alert for us today. I wore it, and so did the carpet. And that was after already going through 3 nappies... no wonder she was unsettled beforehand with that much poo inside.

Take care and will be back soon I hope.

[dory]

Pantha - I hope your days have improved since your shocker of centrelink, backed up loo, and frazzled Charlotte. Sweetie - those were the sorts of days Hannah had most days so i know just how hard it is. You did the right thing by getting someone in to help. You need sleep and a break.

With the inconsolable and endless crying/screaming? A couple of ideas - get some ear plugs - it will take the edge off and protect your hearing, put on some music and sing, it helps drown out the crying, and singing to bubs is good, go for a walk - yes it is embarrassing having a screaming baby in the pram, but getting out does help. And lastly, if there is no one else to help, it's ok to leave her alone for a short while, whilst you get some time to calm down. Even if you feel calm, listening to them cry like that is hard on you. And feeling useless is normal, but remember, sometimes it can't be solved and they just need you to sit with them, nurse them, and love them while they cry. Although being the good mumma you are, you will always try to find a reason.

Male PND is just like PND for women. Same sort of symptoms. It's best if DH gets counselling ( if it's mild) and treatment ( if more serious). It won't go away by itself. It's an illness.

[belfie]

Wite - just ordered my sleepy wrap woo hoo can't wait.

Dory - nice to hear from you - how is Hannah Bear?

Another crap day yesterday for us, she was awake nearly whole time from 11am to 9pm and only sleep was in baby carrier on me. Reflux isn't impacting her feeding tho - weight is now 5kg at 6 weeks, gained 800g in 3 weeks which is apparently at the "boy" rate lol, so that's the good bit.

[dory]

Belfie - thanks for asking after baby bear. Hannah is having a sleepy day today but had a similar sort of day to Annika yesterday! And then when she finally went to sleep at 10.30- I couldn't and was wide awake until her 1.30am feed. Wow was I tired today, but snuck in a nap earlier today. Glad the reflux hasn't stopped A's weight gain. Those are pretty impressive stats! Are you expressing? When is the best time to express after a feed? Immediately or a little while? I try immediately but seems not much comes out, but if I wait, and usually there is faffing about the getting the comp feed arranged, settling etc anyway, there is more BM. But then I worry if I wait too long it will affect the levels for the next feed. At least though then I will have EBM to give her.

Why did you EBM with Xander?