March Mamas 2012 Baby Group (Closed Group)

[emera35]

Loo feeding wise, generally I'd offer the same breast again for 2nd course and then switch to the other if she starts fussing. Then for the next feed you'd still start with the other breast (the one you finished on) if that makes sense. The idea is that you keep them on one breast until they get the hindmilk and only then swap if they are still hungry. Later on, when they can drain the breast in 10-15 mins then you'd offer both breasts at a feed, still starting with alternate breasts each time.
As far as Dharma crying whenever. She is put down, it sounds fairly normal. If she's settling ok wiith being held then there isn't likely anything wrong with her except that she just really likes the security of being held. You have to remember how safe and warm she's been for the last 9 months, and is used to your heartbeat and the vibrations of your voice etc. And now your smell, so being put down is a scary thing. When you hold her, do you tend to hold her upright against your body, or cradled in your arms? It might be the going horizontal that's bothering her, in which case it could be wind related ( you'd be surprised how much stuff is realate to wind with little babies!!). If she's only getting upset when she's lying flat on her back, try a towel rolled up under one end of the mattress to make her lie at a bt of an angle. Also you can try putting her down and keeping your hands under her for a while, it might be that the transition between being held and lying on her own is too abrupt for her so you need to do it really slowly? I'm sure you'll find a way to make her feel secure, it will just take some experimenting. I'm using a dummy a little bit with Freyja, ts helping her settle sometimes, she's not as keen on it as Roh was though

 

[Glowstar]

I found I had to experiment with Dummies. Started with an Avent one but she just wouldn't take to it switched to MAM and found those far and away the best. I also like the shape of the teat on those and the shaping of the mouth piece.
I'm pretty sure (been a long time tho!) That I introduced a Dummy after about a week with Emily because like Dharma she just would NOT settle on her own and having a toddler to contend with to I had to try something.
She loved being swaddled though, took me a while to figure that out. We didn't have swaddling blankets then so I used a cotton cellular blanket and wrapped her up both arms in, rocked her for a bit and then put her down and she was much more settled.
It's all just trial and error really isn't it I'd never had this problem with my first who was generally a sleepy baby and hated being swaddled...loved her arms being free.
I'm pretty sure when this one comes I'll do things as I did with the girls but obviously none of it might work...it's like being a first time Mum with every baby because they are all different.
I think the whole Dummy thing is interesting because at the end of the day if baby is crying....your crying...it's bloody awful and you find yourself resenting baby. If a Dummy is the key to a more contented baby and more sleep/chill time for yourself I am all for them

 

[loolindley]

Thanks lads. Some great advice.

After her last feed at 7 (and feeding every 2 hours today) she has totally refused her latest feed now, however I'm not fussed because she's gone straight into her crib without complaining. I know this means she will wake soon for a feed, but I could not wake her up for anything. (changed, stripped down, dressed again slowly which she hates, blown cool air on her lady bits). Ah well. I'm off to bed, I sense a long night ahead!!! xxx

 

[Skadi]

Ooooh Waula - Noah is just so chubby and cute! Love the pics!

Keira used to get really fussy and gassy even after we had burped her well and properly. She would contort and go bright red and push hard and cry out constantly. I mean constantly. OHs mother recommended gripe water so I asked the pediatrician and he recommended we try probiotics and actually said that gripe water is essentially a placebo for parents and a waste of money. She is now taking Biogaia and it has started to help tremendously. She now passes wind without even a little cry.

I also put her down on her tummy to sleep during the day as it seems to really help her with digestion. (She also sleeps better and longer.) I am too nervous to do it at night even though we have the angelcare movement monitor.

Loo - the nurses always told us to strip down and then use a wet cold cloth on her bare back if she start sleeping during a feed. That always felt like I was torturing her!

 

[emera35]

Hmm that fun moment when you are changing your newborn's pooey nappy and they are sick all over you and themselves then simultaneously your toddler wakes up screaming something about monsters and so you call your OH for back up, but apparently he's at a totally crucial point in his earthshatteringly important computer game so is temporarily unavailable... So what do you do?

Its a toughie eh? Hard to prioritise, comfort traumatised toddler, clean up screaming baby or strangle OH first?

My solution was to dump naked poo and puke covered screaming baby on OH's lap, go to sort out upset toddler, then come back and berate poo and puke covered husband hand him a nappy and go run myself a bath! Think t solved most the issues!

 

[Glowstar]

nice one Emera....so do you have 3 children then I'm about to have FOUR I think

 

[emera35]

Glow, basically yes, the oldest is 37 but still thinks he's a student! Bit sad really!

 

[KellyC75]

Ahhh, yes, the extra 'child'.....Know that one well!

 

[KellyC75]

I have a group for those with 2 LO's.....See link in my signature

 

[crowned]

Thanks so much for the advice about my stitches pain, ladies! I saw the midwife today and she said they're healing well, if a bit swollen (they did feel much better today than yesterday, so maybe just overdid things?) She recommended ice and also some witch hazel, although I have no idea where I'd buy that. I do find freezing a pad with just a bit if water helps immensely too.

Baby A is doing marvellously. My milk came in last night (how long does the rock-hard boobs and soreness last?) so latching is a bit more difficult, but we're both improving at it all the time.

Question for experienced mamas - how do you get stains from colostrum puke out of baby clothes? Regular washing leaves big yellow stains and A puked on a brand new sleepsuit not 5 minutes after putting it on. I don't know how to make it pink again, instead of the ugly yellow stain!

 

[KellyC75]

Question for experienced mamas - how do you get stains from colostrum puke out of baby clothes? Regular washing leaves big yellow stains and A puked on a brand new sleepsuit not 5 minutes after putting it on. I don't know how to make it pink again, instead of the ugly yellow stain!

Vanish is fantastic at a variety of baby stains ~ Put some of the liquid on the stain, leave to 'work', then wash

Trust pink!

 

[Skadi]

Crowned - You can get witch hazel in the same section as rubbing alcohol, iodine etc... I've seen it at both Shoppers Drugmart and Walmart.

I had the rock hard boobs for maybe a week? Try a warm cloth on them when they get that hard. (Or a nice hot shower mmm)

Not sure about the stains. By the time Keira was allowed clothes it was regular milk, have you tried soaking it in oxiclean or some other stain remover?

 

[citymouse]

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[loolindley]

New day. New start!

Dharma slept solidly until 4.30 when I finally managed to wake her and she had a sleepy 15 minute feed. She is also feeding again now. I don't know why I can't wake her in the evening or night, but I can't. I guess it just means more feeds during the day to make up for it. I just hope for less screaming today which I'm hoping to combat by keep on offering her extra 'courses' until she can't fit in another drop.

I love cwtching her between feeds, but don't think it will help at nighttime when she can't be held all night? Maybe I'm wrong! Who knows.

Anyway. If anyone has any spare positive vibes going, send them my way! xx

 

[emera35]

Loo, sending you positive vibes! if you can slot in extra feeds in the day I say let Dharma sleep at night if that's what she wants to do

Stains- I use oxygen bleach (like vanish etc) and then hang clothes out in the sun, ts a great natural bleaching agent. If it gets the mustard poo stains out of clothes and nappies then I'm sure it will work on sick stains too!

Freyja is currently down my nighty having a feed as she managed to wee out of the side of her nappy and get very wet! So she's now naked and hungry! seems like last nght wasn't too bad, after a grumbley evening she finally settled at about 1am and then I only remember waking to latch her on the once possibly it was more, but I don't remember it if it was! Good enough for me

 

[emera35]

Oh meant to say my rock-hard boob phase lasted about 3-4 days. I second the hot shower or a hot wet towel in the bath treatment

 

[mitchnorm]

Ha ha loo i think Dharma and Mia are twins seperated at birth!!!!! Mia feed like milk was going out of fashion last night...last feed about 10:45 which i though she would be down at 11 ish on previous form but she guzzled til 11:30...put her down and she skept til 4am...when she stirred but didnt wake. I picked her up for a dozy/sleepy feed and chsnge which didnt bother her...back down in 20 mins max. Awake at 7 for a good feed...sleepibg again

Great night...i.will have more of those please!!!!!

Question ladies.....leaky boobs last night....omg....loads of leakage!!! Probably cos of the loads of feedong followed by little during night...soaking top and puddle on bed ha ha. Cant stop them...but what do you all do?? I dont typically wear a bra in.bed but have nuring breadt pads...are you all wearing bras in bed with those?

 

[mitchnorm]

No FT text this morning so not sure if she went naturally into labour this morning or induced...either way she will having LO soon

 

[emera35]

Mitch I have a sleep bra, its a bt like a training bra, like a tshirt material top, but well elasticated unser the bust f that makes sense? They sell them in mothercare etc. I don't know what i'd do without them! The bed would be flipping soaked if I slept topless!!

 

[wondertwins]

Been a rough night. Must. Sleep.