MSE Parent Club - Part 2

SusanC_2

I must be very fortunate as I've never had anyone be funny about the fact that I breastfeed. My Grandad told me that he and my Grandma always thought you should breastfeed as long as possible. I tell people at church that the reason I don't accept tea is because of the caffeine going through to the breastmilk and nobody has given any indication of thinking it strange even though Alice is two now. The only comment I've ever had on length of time breastfeeding was when Alice was 18 months and my friend told me that she'd been advised by the doctor to stop breastfeeding her eldest daughter at 18 months because she'd had a miscarriage and that it had been awful having to refuse her milk. (I didn't tell my friend this as it was too late anyway but breastfeeding doesn't cause miscarriages. There was a theory that certain hormones produced while breastfeeding would stimulate the uterus and cause a miscarriage but the uterus is actually not responsive to those hormones until much later in pregnancy.)

SusanC_2

Feeling - I think it is amazing what you are doing. In terms of work it is the worst of both worlds - you spend loads of time expressing and then you have to faff about with bottles and everything too. You certainly shouldn't be ashamed.

BrunoM

Thanks all, Elijah seemed better this morning, rough night up til about 3am then he settled til 7.15, which was nice. He ate some this morning too (even bits of last night's toad-in-the-hole) and wasn't so hot.
Waiting for my lunchtime update from OH to confirm that he's still OK - looking likely that it was just a bad bout of teething, we didn't initially think it was likely because his first 6 teeth have been very low-stress and this was a lot worse...
I think I was like Imogen as a toddler and young child, always ricocheting off things and acquiring injuries that were completely forgotten about an hour or two later!

OH breastfeeds and plans to til well after 1, to be decided sometime between 1 and 2. She's very pleased having just mastered BFing with Elijah in the new sling we just bought, so it's extremely discreet - but she's bravely fed him pretty much everywhere by now, relatives' and friends' houses, restaurants, park benches, etc. No rude comments yet!

And Feelinggood, to echo what the others said, expressing all this time is incredibly dedicated and generous-spirited, you should be proud. There aren't many people out there who would be really critical of seeing someone bottle-feed anyway - people who breastfeed know that it can be hard or impossible and bottle-feeding can be the right choice.

Sami_Bee

3onitsway wrote: »

I only ever got one negative comment when I was b/f DS - almost 12 years ago :eek:. We were in a beer garden having a pub lunch in North Wales, and a 30's ish man spotted what I was doing, muttered 'disgusting' and sheilded his childrens eyes and turned them away from me! PRAT! I honestly couldn't believe it! There was not one inch of flesh on show. It made me want to whip both boobs out and slap him around the head with them. :rotfl:

I bet the same guy through nothing of reading men's mags with half naked ladies all over them in front of his kids tho! :rolleyes:

Lu - don't forget your raspberry leaf tea if you're gonna use it, I've been drinking it since 32 weeks (are you at the its going too fast stage yet? I have 3 weeks 2 mo :eek:) and I say get it while the going is good! My OH is most willing (provided he can't see my popped out belly button at the time ) but I'm having so many issues with things down there I just can't do it I have a feeling he won't have to wait 4 mths after this one!;)


I went to a new mums group after Chris all the babies (around 20 of them) were between 2 - 4mths when we started and there was only 1 mum there who was BFing - My friend who I met there came round yesterday and we were talking about it saying how sad it was that most of the women at the group had intended to BF but gave up for all the usual reasons - hopefully we'll both succeed this time around as our hosp is also working on the WHO certification wotsit which involves better BFing support.
She also thinks I'm bonkers coz she had an emergency c/s with her LO and is contemplating having an elective this time and I'm hoping to have this one at home

Feelie - you're doing a fab job!! Trust me nobody would comment on u giving a bottle in public - as others have said its the BFing mum's that get criticised for feeding in public xxx

Lu_T

Ooh yes, I didn't do raspberry leaf tea last time but will do this time. Any tips on where's the best place to get it?

It feels like it's accelerating at quite a pace now. Only 5 weeks to work, but that's around 12 working days so not as much as it sounds.

I'm getting loads done at home today, so will take a well-earned lunchbreak shortly and maybe do some more painting of Imogen's wardrobe.

I had an emergency c-section last time and would have loved a home birth but DH's stress levels won't take it. It was a five-day palaver which ended with a blue-lights trip in an ambulance from birthing centre to hospital so he's a bit wary. Although the announcement about a section was actually pretty calm, no running down corridors or distressed baby, just, "You've been at this for 17 hours and aren't fully dilated. Best you have a section,"

I did argue being at home was better than at the birth centre as we're much closer to the hospital but he wasn't having it. I'll just fight my corner for no constant monitoring at my 36 week check with the consultant and be happy with that!

Krystaltips

Its frustrating having to 'fight your corner' though isn't it Lu... It's worn me down this pregnancy...

Feely, to echo everyone else, you are doing a fantastic job. Nobody is going to judge you at all, and nobody has any right to make assumptions about you and your situation. They don't live your life! How are you getting on at home? How did it go with the mental health lady yesterday?

Sami_Bee

Lu - if you're going for the drinking tea its cheapest from Holland & Barrett in store, I must have looked a bit of a nutter when I got mine coz I bought 10 boxes to do me the whole time upto 2 weeks after EDD

I've been quite surprised with my treatment during this preg, I expected to come against more trouble but they have been really good - not sure if its because they're more used to people choosing how they want things to go or if its because my 1st was so straight forward but 99% of the people I have seen have been fine with my refusing tests, having private things and HB.
I've got a student MW coming to my next appointment to meet me because she'll hopefully be coming to my birth apparently she's really excited (god I hope I like her!! :undecided)

I got a taste yesterday of what it's like having 2 toddlers/twins and I am soo glad I have left the gap I have!! I was exhausted and I had other toddlers mum here with me!

feelinggood_2

Lu_T wrote: »

I did argue being at home was better than at the birth centre as we're much closer to the hospital but he wasn't having it. I'll just fight my corner for no constant monitoring at my 36 week check with the consultant and be happy with that!

Home not so good. Mental Health lady was good, get too see a new pyschiatrist. Got an assessment for pyscotherapy on Friday, and a referal to the OCD team.

Have a very sad baby today, and a few big decisions to make.

3onitsway

feelinggood wrote: »

Home not so good. Mental Health lady was good, get too see a new pyschiatrist. Got an assessment for pyscotherapy on Friday, and a referal to the OCD team.

Have a very sad baby today, and a few big decisions to make.

At last you're getting somewhere with MH team!


When you're making your big decisions - don't forget its you and Toby that are important now - and balls to what anyone else says/thinks.


Hugs for Toby - its horrid having an unhappy baby!

Sami_Bee

After a crap night's sleep as I suspected I've just managed to get a glimpse of tooth number 14 only 6 to go! (who was it that said they have all their teeth by 2.5yrs - such lies!)

Feelie - I 2nd what 3 says