SmlSave MFW diary - where to start?

Ayeshalush

Congratulations on your new arrival.:T:D

A
xx

Iris_Blue

I'd have got the private room too. It's worth it just for your own privacy.


Don't bother about money saving too much, just make things as easy as possible for yourselves and enjoy your time together as a family, it's more important.

sarahevie

Really pleased you got some bf support from NCT. My first two weeks with DD1 were sore but manageable, until day 14 when I was in agony. Had to express every feed for three weeks whilst I recovered, she had ripped me to shreds.

But week five turned a corner and I managed to breast feed exclusively for 16 months, so it can be done.

Don't let them bully you into it though, I had been brainwashed that 'breast is best' so even though I was in agony and dreading all feeds for three weeks I persevered as I thought that was the 'right' thing to do. Loads easier with DD2 and I'm pleased I stuck it out

CathT

So lovely to see an update from you SmlSave. I think the private room was a well justified cost considering you had an extended stay. Sorry to hear you had a rough time and needed all those transfusions.

Breastfeeding support is vital as it's not easy in the early weeks but similar to sarahevie, 6 weeks in it really was the easiest thing in the world and I fed dd till she dropped the feeding at 10.5 months.

Agree with Michelle and the nappy tip, DD would often fill her nappy during a feed so best waiting till he's done and might stop him falling asleep on the breast too.

Hope you are enjoying these early weeks, it's so magical and nothing is as difficult as the first 2 weeks!

Lois_E

Agree about the breastfeeding. It was an absolute nightmare with DS for the first couple of weeks. He just would not open his mouth wide enough when latching on, so he ended up sucking on the nipple instead of the breast, which was agonising for me, and frustrating for him because it wasn't getting much milk out. I just kept taking him off and trying again, and taking him off and trying again. Sometimes it would take 10 or 12 attempts to get him latched on right before we could settle down to the feed. But we kept going, and he gradually got the hang of it, and after 2 or 3 weeks it became easy and enjoyable. And then it was lovely for months and months - I'm not the sort of person who would have coped with all the hassle of bottles. Boob is much more convenient!

cha97michelle

I think sometimes too if your birth is complicated they are affected by the drugs you have had and it makes it much harder to get going with BF. I don't know if it was me being more experienced or not having any drugs at all 2nd time round as there was not any time to do it, but DS2 took to it immediately and was a really good feeder from the outset. A lot less collicky too.

Hope you got a bit of kip last night, and just remember this first bit is hard but it gets better. Ask grateful about tongue tie as her little one had it, and she is a champion feeder so she might have some special tips for you.

LittleBit_2

Hi SmlSave, Just wanted to say a huge Congratulations, and I hope you and Jacob are doing well. I hope Mr SmlSave has plenty of time off to look after you both x x

gratefulforhelp_2

Goodness you have had a torrid time. Hope DH is looking after you and you are resting when you can and eating properly.

Kiss Baby Jacob for me.

newgirly

Glad you are home safe and sound after a difficult experince, well worth it though I'm sure

Never mind the moneysaving concentrate on yourselves for a while, we will all still be here when you get time to think, those first few weeks are a whirlwind!

katsu

Just adding to the 'grats