Beach Bump Graduates!

[Blue_bear]

Caz i have just stopped too literally two days ago. I had to as im on a really strong dose of anti b's for my infected c sec wound and It was constantly causing Niamh to get thrush first on her tounge then her tounge and her bottom and she was miserable!!

The guilt is terrible but you have to remember that a happy and healthy mummy is the most important thing to little Ajay.

As for stopping I reduced how often I pumped and have now stopped pumping. Boobs really hurt and i think i got a bit of mastitis but it soon passed and they are feeling much better today.

Niamh is much more settled on formula and sleeps for longer periods of time and I feel much better. She is putting on weight was weighed today and now weighs 10lbs and is a right little porker!!

I to take my hat off to all those who are able to breast feed it is really HARD.

I agree with all of this! The guilt does take its toll, but at the end of it all you have all got to be happy and your baby has got to be fed. Joshua is much more settled on formula too, although am currently trying him on a different one so that may or may not change.
I did the same and just pumped less and then stopped, had a day or two of being uncomfortable but nice baths and cold cabbage leaves really helped. Mine feel pretty normal now and leakage is down to a minimum.

I also take my hat off to all of you that have stuck at it.... xx

 

[DragonMummy]

tbh i found it easy this time round but had hell feeding H. you'll probably find it easier second time round as youll be more chilled and mentally prepared. sorry i really hope that doesnt sound patronising - its really not meant to!

 

[DragonMummy]

dont think it helped that they had all of you doing half and half

 

[MrsWez]

Caz, I'm thinking about stopping soon for the same reason. He gets so stressed out because he doesn't latch well. He just screams and cries. I am pumping atm but am finding it very demanding as I am pumping constantly. I'm curious on what works for you with relieving pain and leakage afterward.

So jealous that some of you ladies can meet up. I'm not close in distance to anyone.

Pic of my sleepy smiling man.

https://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x3/wezgray430/jonathansmile-1.jpg

 

[DragonMummy]

warm flannels and hot baths lying on my front helped when I stopped with H. Still remember when M got up for a wizz at 2am once and found me face down in the bath.....

 

[Starry Night]

This is a bit of a drive-by post as I have limited time but I am now a mama!

Daniel (aka "Cuddle Bug") was born on Thursday, July 14th at 8:47PM. So he's already one week old. It turns out that all my whining about "false labour" was actually me experiencing four days of early labour. My labour was anything but textbook as my contractions remained irregular all the way until I was about 7 or 8cm dilated. I was actually almost sent home when I showed up at the hospital even though my contractions were 5 -7 minutes apart and I was 4-5cm dilated. I felt so upset because I live 1 1/2 hours away and 5cm seemed rather progressed. But my cervix was high and I was only 50% effaced. They only kept me because Daniel's heartbeat dipped DRASTICALLY at every contraction.

Due to this drop of heartbeat I was sent to the high-risk maternity ward and I have now joined the club of emergency C-sections. The doctor really tried to let me have a vaginal birth and the decision wasn't made until I had already begun to push. I was knocked out and woke up to meet my little man. He weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long.

And after one week I have decided to give up on breastfeeding. I have seen a lactation consultant along with every nurse on the maternity ward and I still can't get my man to nurse. He can latch just fine but he screams and then proceeds to fall asleep. It was taking an hour just to get him to suck for 10 minutes. I was quickly becoming a wreck. He had to spend two days in NICU simply because he wouldn't eat and his blood sugar dropped. So now I am bottle feeding and we're both happier and healthier. He now fills the proper amount of diapers and fusses less between feedings. I bought a pump today so I'm still going to be giving him some breast milk.

I love being a mom and am recovering well from the surgery. Daniel is overall a very good baby and is easy to take on outings...especially now that he is bottle-fed. saw his pediatrician today and all is just great. He surpassed his birth weight and his jaundice is all cleared up.

 

[Starry Night]

And I totally get the guilt. I am hoping my next baby nurses better as I do believe it's the best. But he really was not happy which made me unhappy. When I decided to go to the bottle I felt this HUGE burden lift off my shoulder and my mom and DH have commented on the difference they see in me. I feel much more rested. Just bought a pump today so I have been hand-expressing just to relieve the pressure and keep up the milk supply. It still flows easily so I think it should still work. I am hoping to get at least 2 feedings a day be breast milk. I'm not anti-formula so I don't mind have that be the primary source of food and my pediatrician was supportive since it seems to be working for us.

 

[DragonMummy]

SOunds like you're doing great, starry. Can't wait to see a pic of Daniel. LOVE the name btw - it was on my blue list

 

[Clareabell]

Congratulations on the birth of Daniel Starry, all sounds like it was a little traumatic but glad he got here safely in the end!! Welcome to the C- Sec club there are a really high number of us on here

Cant wait to see pics of Daniel

 

[caz_hills]

Hi all thanks for your advice on changing from Bf'ing to bottle. Am going to pop to the drop in clinic on Saturday to talk about how but in the meantime going to express. Hubbie is then doing some of the feeds.

Had a mini meltdown earlier. I was totally exhausted and got an hours sleep but then Ajay wouldn't latch on, he was screaming the place down and I had no idea why. I just burst into tears and couldn't stop. Hubbie fed him and we had a good chat. Feeling calmer now, Ajay won't settle at this moment so I'm holding him while he sleeps. I need to get some advice from the doctor I think-I am not coping very well emotionally and it's not fair on Ajay or Neel for me to be off form.

I feel calmer now as I know I need to get someadvice on how to cope and I've made the decision now re feeding so I feel a weight off my shoulders. I managed to feed him at 10 pm despite feeling bad but I know something needs to change.

Sorry for therapeutic brain dump on here. I really need Neel to sleep as he worked today on less than five hours sleep and was exhausted. I'm on the shift until 2 pm then he takes over. Am hoping Ajay will settle soon in his pram and I can grab some sleep on the sofa!

 

[DragonMummy]

Caz am on phone so woefully brief, I gave Hann a link and she put it on front page of this thread, for Edinburgh questionnaire. It's a basic multiple choice which if you are completely honest with it will raise any alarm bells for your emotional state. It's normal to feel like you are now and again but if its getting to everyday go to gp. Should be able to enjoy your time with your gorgeous boy x

 

[Clareabell]

Ah Caz hope Ajay settled and you managedto get some rest. Being a mummy is really hard and I don't think anyone can ever prepare you for the lack of sleep and the feelings of responsibility.

It's really good that you are aware of your feelings and are going to speak to a dr it's damn hard to admit that you are finding it hard to cope! Especially when it feels like people just assume that when you have a baby u become Mary freaking Poppings or some kind of natural earth mother! My experience has been far from that and there have been times I have felt pushed to the edge, particually now D is back at work and she is all my responsibility.

I think you will be happier with Ff as it will elevate some of the feelings of pressure and sole responsibility.

 

[Hann12]

Hi I have finally caught up on this thread! Yippee!
I can't comment on all posts as Annabelle has just finished feeding and is balanced on me sleeping so little awkward however I have learnt a lot from you all reading this!

I don't think annabelle will lose any weight as my milk was in from birth and she feeds for long periods of time. Think she'll be a little chunker!

Caz - thinking of you, sounds so tough but I bet he is doing so well, personally I don't think it matters if u BF or FF as long as they are happy!

Bec - having the same sleep problems as u - she will sleep on anyone but won't sleep in her basket. I just did a couple of hours of her next to me in bed and she was fine though. I know I shouldn't but it works!

BB - personal question so please fon't answer if 'you rather not but I also had a small cut with stitches (think a lot of stitches) - how is yours now? Anh advice for recovery? Mine are sore and bruised. I am not even looking down there as too scared but just doing salt baths

Got to go as arm has gone to sleep.

Will update front page tomorrow too!

 

[Doodlepants]

I didn't realise how close you are Claire! We should all meet up soon!

Congratulations Starry!! Can't wait to see pics!

Glad you're settled in Hann, I hope the stitches aren't too bad- I had them with Holly and was scarred to look too! Thankfully I healed quickly, I'd just keep up with the salt baths and you should be fine

Caz, I'm sorry you're feeling so low. At least you've recognised that you feel this way- I'm sure your gp will be able to help you- are you feeling bad every day? That link Linds posted is a good one, maybe worth a look

I have to second what Linds said re the feeding- it's been so much easier this time around- with Holly it was a nightmare! She was ff from about 4 weeks and is great!

 

[caz_hills]

Thanks guys - I am going to call the doctors this morning and get an appointmnt. I appreciate your support so much. I just need to get back on track - my poor husband was up with Ajay in the night and is meant to be at work today. Hopefully I can sort this out and get back on track asap xx

 

[Blue_bear]

Hi I have finally caught up on this thread! Yippee!
I can't comment on all posts as Annabelle has just finished feeding and is balanced on me sleeping so little awkward however I have learnt a lot from you all reading this!

I don't think annabelle will lose any weight as my milk was in from birth and she feeds for long periods of time. Think she'll be a little chunker!

Caz - thinking of you, sounds so tough but I bet he is doing so well, personally I don't think it matters if u BF or FF as long as they are happy!

Bec - having the same sleep problems as u - she will sleep on anyone but won't sleep in her basket. I just did a couple of hours of her next to me in bed and she was fine though. I know I shouldn't but it works!

BB - personal question so please fon't answer if 'you rather not but I also had a small cut with stitches (think a lot of stitches) - how is yours now? Anh advice for recovery? Mine are sore and bruised. I am not even looking down there as too scared but just doing salt baths

Got to go as arm has gone to sleep.

Will update front page tomorrow too!

Hann - No worries on the question, am more than happy to share! My stitches were really sore the first couple of days, mainly down to the bruising. Ive been put on antib's for mine now because the wound isnt healing together, but im sure this isnt the case for everyone!
The advice i keep being goven is to add 5 drops of tea tree oil to half a cup of milk and add this to your bath.....i have still yet to go and buy any so i cant comment as yet but its numerous MW's that have told me this.
I am most definately not looking at the damage!!
Main thing is to keep it clean and dry, ideally bathing twice a day.

The thing i have found horrible is not being able to use soap/bubbles in the bath, random i know but i just dont feel clean!

Caz - Good for you for going to the docs and having chatted to Neel. I had a bit of an emotional breakdown about day 6 ish, and couldnt stop crying....Its the hormones! The good thing is your keeping Neel in the picture and being honest about things. I think Claire is right though, you will find a weight lifted off your shoulders when you switch to formula, mentally and pyhsically. Yes the guilt remains but it does get easier when you see the babies progressing.

Hugs for everyone else xx

 

[BlueViolet]

Caz, ! I hope you figure out a system that's easier on you. Your sanity is the most important. I had moments when Jill wouldn't latch either and she screamed her head off...having visitors at the same time didn't help either (I was in tears). I was told to pump a little then put her on so the nipples are softer. After a while it worked. She still takes the bottle so much easier.

Hann, I hope your bruising gets better. I read ice helps and using a spray bottle of warm water after going to the bathroom.

Starry, I'm in the c-section club too. I started putting on bio oil after the cut closed up and it's healing up well. I wonder if we have to wait the full six weeks to exercise. I couldn't take it anymore, so I jumped in the pool the other day. Not sure if it was the best idea, but I'm okay.

Currently, I'm feeling great. I got a solid 5.5hr block of sleep. I'm hoping for another hour or two after this feeding. It's the little things in life that make me happy

I attached a photo from yesterday. She fell asleep while I was burping her and I took a picture of the mirror reflection. I kept walking around with her on my shoulder because I didn't want to wake her.

 

[Doodlepants]

That's a beautiful pic BV! xx

 

[Clareabell]

Hann - great that you are fndng your feet with Annabelle. I had problems getting Niamh in her basket for a while now she goes in but sleeps on a pillow. My c sec scar is infected and like georgie I have been advised to bath in tea tree oil and lavender oil. Seems to be helping and def eases discomfort.

I had an appaling night last night. Two nights in a row she has been a monkey and won't settle. I'm majorly hanging today, hopefully I can grab a sleep later this afternoon when she sleeps.

The sun is out here today forgot what it looks like.

Bv - Jill is a cutie

 

[DragonMummy]

oh BV thats a gorgeous pic. Shes so cute! I love how extravagantly babies sleep.