March Mamas 2012 Baby Group (Closed Group)

[citymouse]

Adorable pictures, Skadi! And hurray for surpassing her milestones... Just shows you what a loving mommy you've been, to bring her out of her shell so well!

Very sorry to hear that about Connie.

 

[wondertwins]

Kymied, mine sleep better next to me too. They don't even have to be touching me. They simply seem to like our bed better. Not that blame them. The bassinet mattress looks horribly thin and not very cozy.

 

[loolindley]

Poor Connie. I really hope things are ok. I don't know what she has got, but I do know that she will be in the right place and getting the care she needs.

Skadi, What a clever girl Kiera is!! And beautiful too! Those are fab pictures! xxx

Missy, you have done exactly the right thing by asking for help, so please don't feel bad. Your confidence will be boosted after you know he is getting what he needs, I know mine was after we had help.

AFM, I'm really concerned. Dharma just woke up at 5.30 to be fed and the last time we fed was 9.50 last night (for half an hour). I didn't set an alarm to wake because she usually wakes naturally about 3ish. This is too long isn't it? She is still getting her 8 feeds in a day, but I'm so worried she has just gone so long. How much harm will it have done her? Some advice please.

 

[SeaThreePeeO]

Loo - Don't panic! Babies generally do not starve themselves and will wake when hungry. It could be that she's getting enough tio eat during the day and thus is sleeping longer at night. As long as she's gaining weight, is active during her wakey periods, is having wet and dirty nappies and is a good colour she should be fine.

Jess is bottlefed, which I know if different, but I don't wake her in the night if she sleeps past a feed.

Skadi - Adorable pictures. I love the smile one.

Sending loads of positive healing vibes to baby Connie xxx


Jessica had a very stuffy night, but with the help of the nasal spray and snufflebabe I managed to unblock her nose. Going back to the chemist today to see if they have any snot suckers in.

 

[emera35]

Loo I doubt it will have done Dharma any harm if she's fed well since and is still getting 8 ish feeds a day then I wouldn't worry. Make sure she is still getting plenty of wet and dirty nappies, and beyond that don't panic about it. Have you been told to feed to a schedule? If not then demand feeding is the best thing to do, so if she wanted a big sleep, it won't have hurt her. If she stays very sleepy, and really seems to lose interest in feeding then call you MW/HV for reassurance

 

[loolindley]

Thanks lads.

I woke her up at 8.15 this morning for a feed, but she was so sleepy. Quick top & tail and nappy change woke her up and she had half an hour in total.

No feeding schedule Emera, it just freaked me out that she went 7 hours. She doesn't sleep during the day much (a couple of hours maybe), so maybe she just saves it up for the night. I'm going to make sure she gets her 8 feeds in before bed time though just in case she does it again.

Having said that, I'm sure she will treat us to a sleepless night tonight! xx

 

[mitchnorm]

Hi ladies...just a really quick stop by to say hello...my parents are arriving any time soon to see Mia for the first time...in readiness she has swapped her usual sleepsuits for tights and a little dress aaaaw will post a pic later...

Loo...i am sure Dharma is fine....great to get a good nights sleep for you guys. I was told cos of a little jaundice to feed every 3-4 hours but now thats all ok she mw said let her go as long as she wants....she is gaining weight, producing lots of dirty nappies (i think the estimate of 10 per day was right for my poo monster ) and weighs less than Dharma so i think you will be fine

Skadi...gorgeous pics of Keira....she is a doll

Big to Amy and Connie

Sleeping question.... during the day Mia goes down in her pram attachement for travel system...i usually let her drop off in my arms then lay her down...sometimes she wakes but is pretty good at self settling. Other times (like now) she falls asleep on throw on sofa by herself in front of one of her black and white books...she loves them. Night time we take her upstairs with us around 10-11pm do final feed, change etc and down in moses basket next to bed. After feeds during the night i hold her for 5 mins max til she starts drifting off then lay her down

Oh and thank you all for your advice and support with the chucking up and baby bluesey.....glad i am not the only one

See3 - hope your hives clear up soon...they look painful. You also mentioned something about clearing jessicas nose with nasal drops and sucker????? I have a sucker in a grooking kit but think she benefit from nasal spray or one of my friends had some special wipes....she sometimes sounds a bit nasal and snorey....can hurt to give her a little helping hand eh??

 

[Skadi]

Loo - RSV is similar to the common cold - you or I or even a term baby would most likely just think it a regular cold. It is a respiratory tract illness though and fragile Preemie lungss can't handle it though and it can affect them badly resulting in bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia. Preemies get vaccinated monthly for it during flu Season and unfortunately Connie caught it after they stopped vaccinating for the year (the vaccine is very expensive btw) and her last vaccine had just run out. I think Amy said she has Bronchiolitis from the RSV infection.

P.S. I'm jealous of your sleep!

Thanks Ladies!

 

[waula]

Loo - 7 hours???? Wow. As everyone has said as long as there's a lot of nappies and she's settled and awake I wouldn't worry - I'd just enjoy the brief period of being not so sleep deprived!!!!!!!! I also am definitely not putting on an alarm...it seems Noah's belly is my alarm

Skadi - beautiful pics of Kiera - she looks so big and alert in her bouncer!!!

Hope everyone has had an ok night???

Noah's cluster feeding moved to 10pm,11,12,1 and then fed at 3 for ages then vom'd everywhere, I attempted to shield myself with a muslin and it ended up with milk curds all over his face (oops!) and a 4am bath for him and me then fed at 6 and 8.30 so am feeling pretty knackered again.

The only good thing about last night's feeding frenzy was the last feed I tried MsCrows method of lying down feeding and it was amazing!!! I was always a bit sceptical because it looks so unconventional I suppose but Noah loved it and it was a very very relaxing chilled out feed and no slurps/clacking sounds from him meant only one burp after and he's still asleep!!! not sure how i'm meant to feed like that in Costa's but more than happy to feed like that at night in bed where I really struggle to get comfy and end up crouched over him with a bad back... so thanks MsCrow!!!

Missy - hope your BF lady is a good'un today...thinking of you a lot!!!

We're meant to be BBQing this afternoon with friends...slightly missed the nice weather!! they're very close friends but it does slightly stress me out with the whole feeding thing so think i'm going to head upstairs to feed him then at least i won't end up with sore nips!

Enjoy your saturday's lads!!!!

xxx

 

[loolindley]

Mitch, thanks hun. It was just a worry in the middle of the night. Am making sure she gets her feeds in today though!! I think Mia has overtaken Dharma now she weighted 6lb8 at day 10. You really are super mum when it comes to feeds!!! have a fab time with your parents. D still hasn't made it out of the vest/gro combo, but she looks so damn snuggly and cute!!

Waula - MsC's Kay down feeding is great! I do a combo of that and rugby ball hold. Dharma seems happy with it and we rarely get a burp and she's never vomed (we are obviously lucky though).

We gave Dharma her first bath today and she was great! Her hair has gone super fluffy even though we didn't use anything but water. Gorgeous!

 

[citymouse]

Waula, yay for a great feed! I'm pleased because that's the method my book recommends.

Hope all you mummies got a good night's sleep... However that is defined for you these days!

 

[lozza1uk]

Morning all,

And I actually got up and dressed before 10.30 so i have seen the morning today!

We had a better night's sleep, that being defined as we actually got some sleep, together (me and DH) in the same bed, at the same time. For the first time! I think we may have solved part of the problem, he just hates his moses basket. I wonder if the base isn't supportive enough being on a stand so we're now using the carry cot part of the pram to sleep in - fortunately we bought one that was safe to do so! We still only got 90 minute stretches in a row, but believe me that's progress!

Also had his first bath yesterday - DH got in the bath, had Zack skin to skin and was splashing him before we gave him a float around on his back. They both loved it, in fact Z appeared to sleep through it!

TMI - but i also had my first poo since birth, a psychological milestone! Invested in some lactulose and went for the highest dose possible, instant impact!

Also discovered he's another one that huggies don't fit. Tried them last night and he leaked wee out of them both times - really annoying as he might have slept longer otherwise.

Right, birth story... hope the spoiler works, not tried it before:

Spoiler

Started with a small loss of plug wednesday morning and had a sweep that afternoon and DTD that evening. Continued to lose a bit more plug over the next 48 hours and woke up at 4am Friday morning with contractions. For the next 90 minutes I had a few and fell asleep between each one, probably 20 mins apart. Around 6am I gave up trying to rest as I needed to be on all fours to breathe through them and was disturbing DH. Rang L&D who told me i couldnt go in until 3 mins apart and to try baths, walking and paracetamol.

Cut a long story short, contractions continued for next 24 hours anything from 3-15 minutes apart and the only way i could get through them was on all fours, circling my hips like in yoga, so had no sleep.

rang L&D again 6am on Saturday and they said I could go in and be checked but i'd probably be sent home. The 8 min car journey to hospital was awful, had to get DH to stop mid contraction so I could sit in the footwell! Once there contractions seemed stronger, they checked and I was 5cm dilated so allowed to stay in! I burst into tears with relief.

Birth centre was full (so no water option) so I went to delivery suite to wait. Contractions got more intense and I was so tired, so eventually asked to be checked and have pain relief. After a couple of hours I was still only 7cm and thought at 1cm per hour I couldn't do 3 hours. Was in agony by then so wanted epidural, but unfortunately the woman was in a c-section so would have to wait. So instead to see me through and allow some rest I got diamorphine (the one pain option my birth plan said i didn't want!) which meant I could doze on my side for the next couple of hours. It was fantastic, really needed the rest.

When it started to wear off they checked again and i'd stayed at 7cm! So they artificially broke my waters. Was some meconium in them so then had to be continually monitored. They kept losing the baby's heart which panicked DH a lot. Asked for epi again, but she was now in a second c-section so again couldn't have anything. Suddenly i felt an urge to poo - they checked and I had lept to being fully dilated and ready to push! According to notes active labour lasted an hour and a half, but felt like a fraction of that to me, and the first part of it is such a relief - the start of pushing is completely pain free compared to contractions! And by this stage the morphine had worn off so was only on G&A.

Last few minutes are awful, and i thought I couldn't do it, but DH said something to me, and I can't remember what, but it made all the difference and I pushed him out! I saw it was a boy before anyone else noticed, they took him to be woken up as he was a little bit blue, but he was perfect. We then had skin to skin for about 2 hours before he was weighed. I've got a small tear which they said was unavoidable due to size (i've checked his birth head circumference - 91% tile!) Placenta popped out 10 mins later.

What no one tells you is how swollen you are down there immediately after - i got a right shock in the shower looking down!

Anyway, sorry that's a bit long and rambling. Moral is - pain relief is great, and necessary when you're knackered! Pleased i managed without the epi but couldn't have done it without the morphine!

Got to run and meet DH now, catch up with you all soon
x

 

[MsCrow]

Wow Lozza, you did an amazing job to labour so intensively for so long, loved your story.

Big hugs to FT, you've showed such a sense of character throughout, I hope the difficult memories are fading. Parts of Edith's birth really haunted me, it's helpful to have a good cry about it.

Glad the biological nurturing method has been helpful. You can try it sitting at 11 o'clock and I managed this yesterday at the cafe at sainsburys, nursing on a sofa. No one noticed a thing.

 

[lauraclili]

Fabulous birth story Lozza! Well done you!

x

 

[lozza1uk]

I meant to add, all I could think the whole way through was I was an extra in obem - it all felt so surreal! Braving last weeks episode now!

Can't believe he's a week old now, today is suddenly so much easier than even yesterday!

 

[loolindley]

Thanks for sharing your story Lozza sounds like Nathan and Zack had a lovely time in the bath. I can't wait until we move and can have proper baths with Dharma (my parents only have a shower).

Well Al has just gone back to work. My mum and dad are still about, but feel a little vulnerable all of a sudden. We will be fine.

 

[SeaThreePeeO]

Fanatasic birth story Lozza.

Part of me is disappointed that I never got to and never will experience a natural birth. In fact with my first daughter it upset me so much that I wasn't able to do the one thing all women should be able to do. Now however I got through a thousand sections and everything that comes with them just to have my girls.

 

[firsttimer1]

Mitch - aww i love the piccie of little mia, as for ''early evening blues'' i know just what you mean although for me its made worse because i always go to get a nice glass of wine... and then remember i cant. stupid drugs.

waula - how was ur rubarb recipe? if it was good would you mind sending me the recipe link? or if its from a cook book dont worry. Its just i love the stuff, but never know what to do with it

cupcake - so glad feeding seems to be going ok for you and R its going fine for me too but george feeds so much that its getting in the way of doing ANYTHING else. im dreading when OH goes back to work! x

Missy - missed u hun! sorry ted failed the first hearing test, but i was told this is quite common? im sure he will pass the next one with flying colours

Skadi - keira is so clever! amazing!

Crowned - funny you should mention napping. we were just letting george nap on our chests (usually after a feed and burp) but today we bought the small rocker crib downstairs to start putting him in there to nap.... hoping this will encourage him to sleep in there at night too... as so far, he would only sleep on me even at night... fingers crossed tonight that changes!

S3po - wow those hives looking itchy and sore hunni i hope they clear up soon

Loo - we went 6 hours without a feed whilst in hosp on night 2 and MW said she doesnt believe in ''having'' to feed every 4hrs unless there is a reason... she said if baby is producing waste (haha), is gaining weight etc and feeds through day and night when they WANT then everything is fine so i wud try not to worry hunni xxx

Lozza, crow, joanna, Kymied, widger, WT, blessed, rashy, EVERYONE ELSE - about to check the mama thread for any news on glow too...

as for us....

George had his day 5 checks today.... MW weighed him and...... he has put ON 3oz!!!!!! unbelievable! we had a good laugh about it as she said she wasnt expecting that. he feeds for britain.

speaking of which - he needs feeding now.... will finish this message in 30 mins.....

EDIT TO ADD:
Ok..... im back! seriously, george feeds as if milk is a rare gold. He is going to be chunky at this rate. I swear all the 3oz has gone to his chin!! Im happy though as surely that means he is being fed well? also, DH just read that babies who co-sleep (george is atm but hoping he will be in crib tonight) have twice as many feeds as those that dont! maybe its cos they can always smell the milk? who knows.

on the milk topic - is it possible to run out at this stage? im pretty sure that right now my boobs are milk dry.....!!

his cord is now pitch black etc and i cannot WAIT for it to come off so i can bath him and see his tummy button... little things

My stitches were taken out today which is good, but feel a bit tender still... suppose thats expected. Just wish i felt 100% robust already but i know it takes time.

weight wise.... ive only lost 10lb?!!!! since he was born on monday!! he weighed 7lb15oz so how is that possible? did the fluid, placenta etc really weigh so little? Maybe milk weighs alot at first? i dont know. Im not worried atm esp as im still healing etc but jeesh the weight loss better speed up at some point!!! LOL.

oh i dont believe it. George is chomping and grizzling. surely not another feed

so.... hope you are all well ladies!!! off to check george and then fingers crossed i will FINALLY make it to the mama thread to check on glow!!!

 

[MissyBlaze]

Ft. Its lush that you're here now.

See3 ouchie! They look evil. You poor thing.

I rang the bf lady. She seemed nice and wants to meet me. Only trouble is that she wants me to come at 9.30. No idea how I'm meant to get there for that time! Also oh is going out to wet the babies head tonight so he might be a bit hung over. I feel bad. I'm feeling a bit lonely. Like everything is on me.

 

[lauraclili]

Missy


Xxx