March Mamas 2012 Baby Group (Closed Group)

[loolindley]

Bah, just realised the ships aren't open today!

She was ok first thing but screaming again now.

Wouldluv, I'm not sure that I am feeding her too much. She is putting on weight so slowly that I don't want to feed her any less than I am doing. I've just weighed her now and she is finally 2oz above her birth weight. Not great considering how much she feeds, but it's a start.

 

[wouldluvabub]

Calling all mummas with projectile vomiters... What are you doing to stop this!!??? I tried all sorts of things and the only thing that has helped is infants friend but that has been making him so unsettled! He cries and strains like his trying to poop even if he has just done one.. So we switched to infacol to see how that when and his still unsettled and started projectile vomiting again!! Before infants friend I tried leaning back while feeding to slow the flow, taking him off at the 5 min mark and winding him and different feeding positions. Nothing worked.. It's either have a happy projectile vomiting baby or one that seems to be upset and trying to poop majority of the time.. I don't know what to do any more..

 

[lauraclili]

Quick question (and way TMI - sorry)

It's about lochia...

My bleeding has completely slowed down and is now a kind of light brownish colour. Thing is, over the last couple of days it's in loads (and I mean loads and loads) of what appears to be EWCM. I'm a bit freaked out because I've never seen this much of it from myself and I've been naughty and having some sex and I'm really hoping this doesn't mean I'm fertile...

So, I guess what I'm asking is is the EWCM stuff normal or should I start being careful again already?!

 

[MsCrow]

Awww wouldluv, I wish I had an answer

Laura, I don't have a clue, how long are you off your 6 week health check? Worth asking there.

Sorry I've not been contributing. I left in a rush to see family on Wednesday which was good in a way as I now know E and I can cope with 3 hour train journeys. My grandfather's organs are failing and my dad was back in the stem cell transplant unit having come down with an infection. I wasn't coping with E's seeming colic and it was breaking my heart to hear how torn my mother was feeling divided between three people in different places missing her.

It was the right choice to go down. It cheered my mother up and we took E to the hospital to finally meet my dad. It was incredible and made him so, so happy. Just as we were about to leave the nurses said dad could go home, at least to continue treatment with the possibility of re admittance next week. Amazing. So he came back and when E was screaming the house down at 5:30am he came and got her and sat in the living room with her on his chest as she drifted in and out of spasmy sleep until 9am. Until then I hadn't really slept for a good few days. Despite my dad being extremely weak, holding her, he was in the height of happiness. I've nicknamed him the Baby Whisperer as E is butter in his hands.

So, colic. We were trying Colief but the bloody bottle has just run out and I'm not paying £10 for it - we got it on prescription. I guess all I can do is try ruling out cows milk proteins for now. We've had another unsettled night with her struggling with painful wind that, unless I am disciplined and get it up immediately, gives her real problems. Of course, I am so exhausted I nod off and forget to wind her. Waula, I'm trying the massage, thanks for posting the video. Feeding her upright (laid back at 11 o'clock) helps as does gentle upward rubs and pats up her back.

Loo, if D is very slowly putting on weight and having latching issues then get a lactation consultant to check her tongue out...just in case. E can get very fussy on my breast, pulling off, crying and fussing which for the moment I'm putting down to the colic.

I'm up for a group crying sesh which you NW laddies are welcome here for.

 

[mitchnorm]

Aaaw mscrow...your words about your dad and his interaction with E and taking her so you could sleep made me weep a little....and i thought hormones were calming down.

Glad you got to see your family....big hugs to you and your mum...sounds like she has it tough too at the moment. I really hope things settle down for you hun

 

[Skadi]

I spoke too soon! Worst night ever! She wouldn't sleep from around 8pm until 4am! First she just wouldn't settle which was a little annoying as I had to get us ready for this morning to go to church as her father had gone out yet again and left me alone with her. However still not a huge deal since I was awake and she is awake a lot now. Then it started! She wanted to feed at ten instead of eleven thirty and then right away again at 11:30. He gets home at midnight and goes straight to bed in the living room because of course its way easier to avoid helping in there!

After that feed she was fine and I put her down in her cradle. Ten minutes later she starts screaming about having to burp! So I get up and try to work it out with her... Which went on until we finally get it at which point she decides she hadn't filled herself earlier but at this point we are running empty! Then of course she decides she has to poop!

Long story short... We were up until 4 am and now there is no way I could drive us across the city to go to Church!

 

[waula]

MsCrow - lovely that your Dad was able to help you out and glad you survived the 3hr train journey...

Skadi - sorry you didn't make it to church hun but sounds like K was being a little monkey! Hope you can get some rest today...

Loo - just big hun... and I thought the shops were open today - we planned our first big day out shopping, expressed 4oz and everything glad we checked opening times before we set off!!!

So...didn't want to waste the 4oz of expressed milk so just tried N with a bottle for the first time...he guzzled it down, did two tremendous burps then started head butting me for more... how much breast milk do these little people eat???!!!!!!!! He's had another 10mins on the boob and has at last settled on his play mat in the kitchen so I can make some lunch!

Wouldlov - interesting what you say about infacol and then B starting to strain/getting uncomfy... that's the same with N - hadn't put the two and two together so will try off the infacol for a while - it was only an experiment I went on it and it hasn't stopped the projectile vom'ing...

Laura - i'm ignoring your last post i'm afraid - just in case my DH reads it and realises the 6 week "rule" is not actually a rule!!! and also i've no idea is EWCM at this stage means anything - in hospital the MW told us to use protection right from word go - there's no certainty with BFing and contraception but not sure what the stats are...

Right...fish finger butties coming up!!!
Happy easter lads... xxx

 

[Joannaxoxo]

Happy Easter everyone!

Laura - I think our lochia turns to clear/yellow/white colour towards the end. I looked up a definition for you that might help:


The bleeding will change colour and become lighter as your uterus heals and returns to its pre-pregnancy size. At first the flow of lochia will be heavy and bright red, and may have clots in it. Gradually, it will change to pink then brownish and, eventually, to yellow-white.

You may bleed for as little as two to three weeks or as long as six weeks after having your baby. The flow will diminish very gradually. Red lochia usually tapers off within the first couple of weeks, although if you try to do too much too soon it may start flowing again. If you see bright red blood, it's a sign to slow down.


I hope this helps. I would be careful though if you do think it might be EWCM if your not planning a baby again soon. I think its rare to ovulate so soon but isn't impossible. Once DH and I start DTD again we will be using protection right away, I'd like another baby but not for a couple years.

 

[crowned]

Happy Easter, all!
Loo, sorry you've been having a rough time - hope D has settled and calmed down for you!
Ms Crow, so glad to hear your story about your dad holding E - precious!

I'm staying home this morning as I think I've got food poisoning. Hasn't been a fun night. A was super fussy all day yesterday, gassy and projectile vomiting, which I'm thinking might be due to some strawberries I ate. However, it cleared up and she had a really good night, eating and settling very quickly. Glad she's feeling better though, as I'm not sure I could cope with being ill and a fussy baby!
My mom arrived yesterday, staying with us for ten days. It's been interesting... I love having her here, but she has a lot of opinions on what I ought to do with A, like that I shouldn't let her sleep on me in the evenings but put her down, etc. It's hard to know what to do - I love having her sleep on me, and I want my baby cuddles now before she outgrows them! Plus it's hard to tell my mom 'thanks but no thanks' to her advice, which there is a LOT of!

 

[loolindley]

MsC, it really has made me weepy reading about your father looking after Edith. I bet you have made him such a proud grandpa

Skadi, sorry about your terrible night. D had a good night, but it has been flanked by 2 terrible days. It's exhausting!

Mitch, hormones are meant to be calming down??? I don't think my hormones got the memo.

Crowned, with you on the Mum advice. I know they mean well but something's are not helpful! My mum criticises everything I put in my mouth 'that gives me wind' or 'I wouldn't have a glass of coke if I were you'. AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

 

[mitchnorm]

Blimey...i hadnt even thought about what i was eating and how it may affect M....not that i am eating bad stuff but not really taking much notice hmmmm. I heard that lots of citrus fruit is not great for LO and gives them wind....just fyi incase you are eating lots of it. Not that i am 100% sure...just read it somewhere.

Loo...my hormones have calmed down quite a bit but i am certainly more emotional than i used to be and get weepy very easily...nothing like those first couple.of weeks though.

Regards birth control and sex......we have not dtd yet...bleeding has come to an end but still some brown discharge (sorry tmi)....i shall certainly NOT be risking anything without getting on birth control. I was given a leaflet by mw and think that the mini (progesterone only) pill is ok if bf'ing...will check with doctor. I actually quite fancied dtd for the first time yesterday but am leaving it for another couple of weeks maybe. Only had one stitch so hoping its not too painful. . I think theoretically you are not fertile during bf'ing but i have also read that it is easy to fall pregnant during the first few weeks after birth

M having a nice long nap....had an active morning...didnt snooze at all between 7-10:30...no crying really just feeding and chilling out. She slept from 10:30-1pm....has fed again, had a little play on playgym and is now sleeping again . I should be napping but feel guilty.

I feel i should be holding her, playing with her all the time when not feeding etc but it is good she goes down and i get time to catch up with stuff.....

 

[citymouse]

Happy Easter, all!

Loo, sorry for the rough days.

Skadi, sorry your OH wasn't there for you.

MsC, love the story about your dad. So glad you cheered up your mom.

Laura, I have no idea but be careful! We don't need any December Mamas in here.

Back soon, have to try to either sleep or pump... Decisions, decisions.

 

[kymied]

My hubby doesn't like the idea of the little one in our bed. He says we need to get him used to sleeping in the co-sleeper (attached to the side of the bed.) But he only sleeps for 20-45 minutes in the co-sleeper but he'll sleep for 4 hours straight next to me. I'm sorry but until we start introducing bottles and he gets up with the baby every hour, I need that four hours of sleep.

Does anyone know if there is a too long time for a baby to be in a sling? He loves it so much but all he does is sleep, I worry that he's getting enough to eat and enough time to stretch out.

 

[vitfawifetobe]

Mrscrow glad ur dad is spending quality time with edith. sounds a gem of a man.

Ladies how do i know if my boobs are empty. i feed boob then if more within the hour same boob if out then other side whatdo u ladiws do x

 

[mitchnorm]

I feed from one boob per feed and if refeeding within the hour go back.to.same one. I thought this was best way to ensure M gets the hindmilk as she doesnt feed for lobg periods.....only 10-15 mins and shes done. Next feed i.use the other boob. I dont think.you ever really run out...but i guess.if baby isnt latching or bobs on and off or doesnt seem to.be swallowing anything then they arent getting anything....hoever thats also.a sign they are just comfort sucking and not bothered aboit feeding....

This is just the way i do it and it seems to work for me and M.....i think others have different techniques. HV said to me to offer both boobs but MW said just one to ensure she gets fatty hindmilk.

Dont think.i am much help...sorry. I am a bf'ing beginner with very little research ha ha

 

[MissyBlaze]

I have no idea about sling rules I'm afraid... but I'm guessing a nice stretch out would be good...

Mac... your story made me really cry. So sweet. Is E the first grandchild?

I had such a great night after a horrible one the night before... asleep at 12... up at 3 for 20 minutes (!) For a feed... Then up at half 6 for more food and fun. Then oh took him down at 9 and let me sleep till 11:30. Amazing.

Well... while I was writing this oh distracted me... we dtd. Was great. I think that bf is something like 97% effective but only if you're exclusively bf. No pumping and bottles or formula... and if you feed through the night. I'm using condoms for now and reckon I'll get a coil soon. The thought of getting pregnant now fills me with dread!

 

[lozza1uk]

Vitfa I don't think they ever completely empty. I now do one as long as possible. If he seems to be slowing down or fussing after a while and I think he's still hungry I swap and he tends to guzzle 10 mins on the fresh side then fall asleep.

 

[citymouse]

The pediatrician told me to feed 15 minutes from each side then pump the rest. Not sure how that will work for us. She said after a certain point the baby uses more energy than she gains, so a bottle feed will be okay. G has been on pacifiers from day 1 and had a little formula in the hospital with no confusion so I'm not that worried about mixing.

She is so chilled out right now! Laid back and just sort of sucking, like she's in a hammock with a margarita, lol.

The change in her since my milk came in is so dramatic! We call her a milk-drunk monkey. Last night she gave me two 2.5 hour sleeps (and that's with me waking her up). Also really relieved because she slept in her bassinet (between us on the bed).

Do you have My Brest Friend pillows in the uk? They're amazing!

 

[vitfawifetobe]

I feed from one boob per feed and if refeeding within the hour go back.to.same one. I thought this was best way to ensure M gets the hindmilk as she doesnt feed for lobg periods.....only 10-15 mins and shes done. Next feed i.use the other boob. I dont think.you ever really run out...but i guess.if baby isnt latching or bobs on and off or doesnt seem to.be swallowing anything then they arent getting anything....hoever thats also.a sign they are just comfort sucking and not bothered aboit feeding....

This is just the way i do it and it seems to work for me and M.....i think others have different techniques. HV said to me to offer both boobs but MW said just one to ensure she gets fatty hindmilk.

Dont think.i am much help...sorry. I am a bf'ing beginner with very little research ha ha

Mitch thats perfect - thats exactly what we are doing reassuring others are the same

L x

 

[mitchnorm]

It seems to.be working for us.....M piling on the ounces and goes 3-3.5hours at night...for a LO i think thats average