Any Scottish April 2013 babies out there??

[lj2245]

We had a terrible night It looks like the other night was a fluke. I think he has reflux plus really bad trapped wind. The Gaviscon sorted the reflux problem...as long as he gets it in time he doesn't spew any more. When he's feeding though, you can hear and feel lots of air moving down his wee body. It's not his latch, the seal is like superglue and I can't even get my pinkie in to break it. He breathes funny when he's feeding though and I'm thinking it's that. You know how babies are able to swallow and breathe at the same time? Well I don't think he can??!!? He stops breathing and starts gulping and I think he's gulping down the air he's breathing in through his nose. When he's lying down he is grunting and squeaking like he's constipated and I'm sure it's him trying to get the wind out. I spent hours last night bicycling his wee legs (his stomach is huge and rock solid) and the amount of wind I got out of him was ridiculous. He is sleeping soundly now. I have no idea what to do about it. I can bicycle his legs but I can't do that all night every night. Do any of you reckon gripe water would help? I bought a bottle but it says for 1 month +. Alex is a big boy but he's still a week away from being a month old. Do you think it would be safe to try it? I'm exhausted now and really need a decent nights sleep!

I've ordered a Tomy Sleepcurve mattress for the moses basket. It has amazing reviews for reflux so I'm going to see if I can get him to sleep in his basket on that.

James seems to be doing so well Dylan too! I had it easy with Shaun so I guess I'm due a hard time lol.

 

[arlene]

I think we're lucky in that he's a gutsy wee thing but also very burpy!! I'm sure Alex will get better with time Laura.

John bought a box of 12x 90ml bottles of milk for James yesterday, the ones that have the pre-sterilised teats, for being out and about. Got them home to find that the best before date was 03/04/2013, thought it was just wrong on the box but all the bottles were the same! Took them back and got our money back right away but it turned out every box on the shelf was the same, a month out of date! Just can't help but think how many people have bought them and not noticed and had sicky babies!! Xx

 

[Kaybee]

Arlene thats great James had a good night. Terrible about those bottles being out of date

Laura for you and Alex. Not sure what to suggest. Have you tried feeding him in a different position? They say, as well, that anything that gives you wind can give baby wind too. Maybe worth asking in the BF section in here. I haven't been in it in ages but it used to be very friendly, or maybe a BF group near you? Maybe feed in front of your HV when she nexts visit and see if she can suggest something.

 

[lj2245]

Jesus Was it a big shop he got the milk from or a local one? Just aswell you noticed, I don't think I'd have checked the dates on something like that!!

Karen, I tend to feed him in a sitting up position...varying between having him sitting in between my legs or at the side of me. If I feed him lying down he's sick. I need to keep him upright for at least half an hour after he finishes too, to let the gaviscon work. I sat him against a cushion half an hour ago so I could mix his medicine and he was slightly reclined and he threw up so much it was coming out his nose I had to feed him all over again. I gave him half a dose of gripe water and he did the biggest burp! I also gave him a tummy massage and his tummy is all nice and soft now I think feeding him is going to be a laborious thing and I need to make sure I take my time and do it properly every time. I need to feed him on one breast winding as often as possible, then give him gripe water, then the other breast, then mix and give him the gaviscon, then sit with him upright while winding him for 20-30 mins, then give him a tummy massage and cycle his wee legs. If I do that every 4 hours hopefully I should notice an improvement. He's been ok today...sleeping ok and nice and alert but not fussing while awake

Sometimes I think to myself that it would be easier/better for him to switch to bottle feeding but I am loving breast feeding and I really don't want to have to do that It's convenient to whip out a boob but it would be so much easier to just tip the medicine and gripe water into a bottle instead of having to clean and sterilise a wee cup, hand express into it and mix the medicine up every time before feeding him with a spoon!!

 

[arlene]

It was the Tesco at Hermiston Gait in Edinburgh so not a small store! John didn't notice it either, I saw it when I was packing some bottles in his bag.

Laura, hopefully you can find something that works to allow you to keep breast feeding. Like Karen says, maybe try feeding in front of the hv to see if she can give you any advice? Xx

 

[lj2245]

Yeah definitely. I was thinking this morning that I would do that. I am pretty sure we aren't doing anything wrong with the BF part... his latch is brilliant and he empties both breasts every feed now he's only feeding every 4 hours. I'm sure the problem is either with digesting his milk or somewhere in his oesophagus. Stephen and I both have really bad IBS and there are lots of foods we are both intolerant to so it's also likely it could be something like that too. I drink quite a bit of milk so I think if it continues I will go without for a day or 2 and see if that improves things. I don't want to do that right away though because I won't know if it's the massages and gripe water or the cutting out of dairy that has fixed things!

I've also eaten a lot of spicy foods recently so you may be right Karen! Maybe it's what I've been eating. It's been difficult recently with Alex attached to me 24/7 so I have been eating those Uncle Ben Rice Times and Bachelors Deli Box Noodles (healthier pot noodle) as you only need to click a kettle on or stick them in the microwave. They are all curry flavour or mexican chilli lol.

 

[Kaybee]

Laura how did Alex get on last night?

BF is hard work in the early days but it does get so much easier I am sure you will get to the bottom of his wind. You are right it is just a case of trying things to rule them out.

Kaiden was up quite a bit again last night. Am knackered he is too.

 

[lj2245]

Aww no Has he got more spots? Are they really bothering him now? I remember tying socks on Shaun's hands to stop him scratching.

Alex seemed more settled last night. It's a strange one because he seems to be better at BF than Shaun was. Shaun had a terrible latch and I had constant cracked nipples (which I don't have this time) and I also had mastitis for just about 3 months and terrible engorgement. I hated BF Shaun, but I'm pretty sure I had PND looking back (didn't realise this at the time). Shaun was much easier though, he slept no bother lol!! He'd go into his wee crib next to my bed at 8pm and would wake every 4-5 hours for more milk. Alex is much harder work!!

Last night he went down at 9 and woke at 1am I spent a bit of time doing housework and had decided we were going to sleep in the living room. It was just easier to sleep on the couch and have him in his moses basket/swing next to me. It's also warmer in the living room. So yeah...I went to sleep at 11 so got 2 hours there. Because it takes forever to feed/medicate/wind and change he didn't go back down until half 3. Then he was up at 6, so another 2 and half hours for us both. He's been up since but looks like he's about to go back down again and because we are in the living room, I can just put him in the moses basket and nap on the couch instead of having to pack everything up and move downstairs SO I have had 4.5 hours and I'm feeling ok! I think I'm going to sleep in the living room for now and see how that goes.

Lewis did brilliant last night Wee star he is Does Dylan sleep well? You never complain about him He seems to be a very laid back wee dude

 

[bbymc]

God laura what a time you're having! Poor wee man. Thats such a lot of effort at every feed. I really hope it works for you. I definitely think there is no harm in asking the hv to watch you bf. I got my modwife to watch me and that at least gave me the confidence to know I was doing it right.

I think if you and Stephen have ibs it could definitely be something your eating
Do you have lots of caffeine? Or garlic? Or chocolate?

So do you think the gripe water works? My mum swears by it lol.

Thats a wee shame for Kaiden. Is he really scratching? Funny laura mentioned about dylan, I was thining he must be a chilled out little man cos you don't say much about him lol.

Arlene I can't believe that about tesco. I wouldn't have checked. Lucky you did. I'd have went back and complained loads. Then you might have got some sort of compensation lol.

As laura said, Lewis had a great night. Im hoping its not a fluke. He slept 5 hours while we were out yesterday too so I was shocked he had such a good night. He's sleepong again now but he's really struggling with a blocked nose so I dont think hes actually sleeping very well atm.

You all got monday hols today?

 

[Kaybee]

Yeah he has more spots. I'm guessing that is whats waking him. He doesn't say they are bothering him he just comes through saying he wants me to come through and sit with him until he falls asleep again but its taking ages and quite often I think he is sleeping and as soon as I reach the door I hear this little voice saying 'where are you going mummy?'. Bless him though when Dylan wakes for a feed he says you go feed Dylan and come back after

I will be so glad when these pox are over. I feel these last couple of weeks have been really tough as trying to keep him away from Dylan while he has these bugs, and its near impossible, and then I am conscious when I am touching/ hugging him I need to pick Dylan up after. I feel guilty that I'm not hugging him as much as I want to when he is poorly and then when I do I feel guilty that I might pass it on to Dylan

I have to say that thank my lucky stars Dylan is so laid back and really is an easy chilled out baby. He is feeding & sleeping well. I'm too scared to mention it in case I jinx it

Here are a couple of pics of Dylan & Kaiden for comparison.

 

[arlene]

Sorry you had a tough night Laura, hopefully Alex will get better soon. Like the girls have said, maybe try and cut out certain foods for a few days to see if you can eliminate something?

Karen, Dylan seems very chilled! Touch wood!!

James is being a wee ratbag. After sleeping so well the night before last, he was a bit grumbly yesterday, my mum took him out in her massive silver cross pram for a couple of hours, brought him back about half four and he's been a grump ever since! Not sure if he's having a wee growth spurt but he's taken to feeding every 2-3 hours and today, he's not happy sleeping and won't go any longer than 10mins unless he's on my chest! Xx

 

[Kaybee]

Where is everyone? Was at docs this morning for my 6 week check which went well. Not decided on any contraception at the moment. Got some cream and drops for my sore eye. I am back to my pre preggo weight...probably helped by that bug last week I have a little section of my wound that hasn't quite healed over yet which is why its still nippy but its not infected or anything so should heal fine in due course.

Went to the dentist only for it to be closed. Am a bit peeved that they didnt bother to phone and let me know.

Wish we had a garden. It is a gorgeous day here today.

Kaiden has more spots. Got some Eurax cream from the chemist to try. Dylan is doing brill. He turned 6 weeks yesterday

How are all you lovely ladies and your babies today?

 

[lj2245]

Wow....6 weeks already! It has flown past soooo quick!

It's in the 20's here today too Waiting on the HV coming then Shaun finishing school so I can take the kids (and my Dad) to the park at Lanark Loch. It will probably be mobbed though, everyone heads there when it's sunny!!

Just back from picking up our new car It's going to be so much easier with a 7 seater!

Alex had a terrible night again. I gave him a bottle of expressed milk yesterday (well...Stephen did while I napped) and I'm convinced that's what did it. He was so windy and nothing I did would help him shift it. He spent the night sleeping (soundly) on my chest while I stayed awake. Today I have given up milk. It's the only thing I can think of that might be causing it. I usually have cornflakes for breakfast, sandwiches or noodles for lunch and a home cooked dinner. The home cooked dinners haven't been as elaborate recently but we've had a lot of meat with veg.

My MW and HV have both seen me BF. Alex has always been BFing when they have been to visit and because I have had the blisters they have both checked the latch for me and say it's fine. I know in myself that's not what's causing it anyway. He's BFing perfectly, he's a natural. It's just a shame it's being ruined because he's so windy. He's napping just now and is lying flat and although he's out for the count he's squirming and squeaking away. It's heartbreaking Stephen is off the next few nights though so I'm going to sleep as much as I can during the day so I can stay up with him at night if needs be. I managed to sleep for 3 hours this morning before I had to go and get the car and will get another few hours after dinner.

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine

 

[arlene]

Hi ladies.

Karen, I can't believe Dylan is six weeks already!! It«s flown in so quick!

Laura, hopefully cutting out the milk will help ornat least eliminate that as a possibility.

We had an ok night last night. He was grumbly all day again wouldn't settle in his moses basket at all, slept 12-3.30 on my chest, then 4.15-6.30 in his rocker, then back with me on the couch til about 8.30. John got a bit peeved at me last night for picking him up during dinner when he was screaming, he doesn't seem to get that at this age it's not manipulation, he just wants comfort. Within ten mins though he was fast asleep enough for me to put him in his rocker!

We're not long home from a walk along the canal with James and the dogs, first time we've had him out in the pram! We're the same though, I hate not having a garden when it's like this!
Hope all thr babies are good/better! X
Hope every

 

[arlene]

Ignore the last wee bit, stupid phone!! Xx

 

[lj2245]

Arlene, when you sleep with him on your chest, do you sleep too? I can't I think I'm over paranoid about SIDS. I definitely wasn't this uptight about it when I had Shaun. I thought you were supposed to be more relaxed with your second aswell

 

[arlene]

Yeah, I can't help myself!! He sleeps slightly to my left, towards the back of the couch, so I always make sure my arm is propped up enough that he can't slide down my side. Don't know that I'd be so confident doing it in bed or anything xx

 

[lj2245]

Alex just got weighed and is 11lbs 1oz!! He was 9lb 2oz 11 days ago. Safe to say he's thriving lol!!! HV recommended some crystals to give him for the wind

 

[Kaybee]

for your new car & for Alex weight - that's great and I hope reassure you that even though he is having bad wind he is gaining weight. That's brilliant. You are doing great Hope the crystals will help.

Arlene I agree that James is too young to know about manipulation. Nothing wrong with giving someone a cuddle when they need one.

Hehe its funny how we are all different. I would rather sleep with Dylan in the bed next to me than me sleeping with him on my chest. I love when he is on my chest though and snuggles his head in under my chin.

 

[arlene]

It's so cute when they do that Karen. James sleeping on my chest makes me feel like a totally protective mama bear!! Lol

Well we just gave James his first proper bath and he loved it!!! Chilled out on his wee deck chair and didn't utter a peep, obviously used to the endless hot baths I took when I was pregnant! Got some baby oil for his dry skin as well, hopefully it'll make him look less scaly! I'm such a proud mama tonight!! Xx