October 07 babies!

I guess I should be joining this group now!! That feels a bit strange!

We are finally home from Birthcare after 4 nights - they really were fantastic, and it was awesome to have DH staying with me the whole time. Somehow we ended up with a double room, so it was a bit like a hotel but with a lot of support!

We have had problems establishing feeding, Oliver wont latch onto my Right side really, and gets quite distressed trying, so we are really only feeding from the left at the moment. We are expressing from both sides and using the little bit of EBM to top him up and if he is still hungry we are topping up with formula. I dont think my milk has really come in properly yet, so hopefully its going to get a lot easier! At the moment its taking 10mins to expresss 10mls and can feel pretty de-moralising! Please tell me it gets easier!

We have only been home for a few hours and he has slept the whole time- thank goodness, as I feel quite overwhelmed by the thought that we are now "on our own" and am really quite nervous! Still DH is being FANTASTIC - I dont know what I would do without him.

 

 

Here are some pics of Eva.

Kabe 0 what a cutie Eva is!!

NikkiB - Hope ev everything works out with Rex.

Think Arabella might be getting a cold, her breathing is a wee bit rattley (sp?) at night. Midwife said keep an eye on it.

She is 8lb 11oz now! People say shes so little but for me compared to her 7lb 5oz birth weight shes huge!!

Eva is a little cutie Kabe

Why is feeding so painful when its so natural? Humm...I guess the same could be said about labour????

I'm very lucky, I've only got one sore nipple, but I find the pain is a lot better if Rex latches on properly. Just remember, you are both learning, I'm sure it can only get better!

Well, I survived my first coffee group this morning! It was so nice to get out of the house and have a hot chocolate for once!!! Rex was a little angel And it looks like I've found myself a walking buddy

My cousin made a very valid point - how can breast feeding be easy and natural when you don't have someone sucking of there every other day. I think it's definatley a learned thing in our society today.

Kabe - The pain does go away and everything heals well but the minute bubba isn't on properly you know. Sadly Arabella doesn't like to latch well she just wants milk asap, but then I'm still practising and learning. .

KateW, I find its full on with one baby, how is it with two??

Once again, I think this forum will be extremely handy - knowing what we are going through is 'normal'

We are still struggling with the breastfeeding (I think half of it is emotional with me!!), I seem to have put a huge amount of pressure on myself to "get it right", and end up in a right state when I dont. Have been having lots of tearful moments where I feel like a huge failure, because the birth didnt go to plan and now I cant feed properly. I know its stupid, but its just how I feel at the moment!

We are feeding primarily from the right breast, he doesnt seem to want to latch on to the left at all and gets grizzley really quickly. He feeds to 35mins on the right (mw said not to leave him on for longer than that) and then we are topping him up with formula as well. He is a great sleeper though - once his tummy is full! This morning he slept from 3.30 - 8.30, so we are starting to feel almost human.

We are going to see the lactation consultant tomorrow, so hopefully she can help. I really dont want to continue with the formula, but at the end of the day so long as Ollie is happy and healthy I will do whatever I need to do.

We are going on our first outing today to have lunch with my grandparents, truth is I am terrified, but I survived the afternoon at home yesterday with DH at work, so am sure we can do this!

Kabe - Eva is beautiful, so gorgeous! Well Done! Wonder how Peachy is getting on?

 

 

My nipples are feeling quite alot better today (what a weird thing to be talking about, but this whole experience has been unusual, lol)! Managed my first day at home alone yesterday and have just done my first outing alone with Eva to coffee group. It's funny how little things like that are such an achievement these days!

MW visit this morning was really good. Eva has put on a good amount of weight already, so I was worrying needlessly that she wasn't getting enough to eat. Infact, some of the problems I've had with her sleeping at night are likely to be due to her over eating. Have got some new strategies and feeding positions to try.

SimSam, I've had some moments of being really overwhelmed with BFing and being over tired and sore. I think we just need to cut our selves some slack and remind ourselves that this is all new and we're doing a great job.

Anyway, I'm off to bed as I've been up since 4.45am

BabyOnBoard, my Mw suggested doing shorter bursts of feeding with severl breaks, to allow baby to register she's full.

So for example, putting her to the breast for 4-5 minutes only, taking her off for two minutes (and changing her position to wind her - over shoulder, sitting on lap etc). Then putting her back on the same breast. She suggested doing this for 3 or 4 times in one feeding session. This way babies tummy has time to register with her brain that she is full and she won't over eat.

SimSam, I'm keen to go to the Parent and Child Show on Friday. Just not sure if I'm brave enough to take baby!