MSE Newborn to 1 year Baby Club 1

katiechoc_2

Thanks ladies, we'll get some and give it a try. I have expressed a couple of bottles but it just seems to take ages and time is exactly what I don't have enough of at the moment!

Just need to get out of the mindset of it being me depriving him of bm just so I have a slightly easier life.

*Ro*

Haven't read back but Second the aptamil !

*Ro*

Katiechoc- also dont feel bad as you are doing what's best for both of you, as you need to get some rest too. We have used only aptamil as a friend told us other formulas can bung them up. We have had no probs with it. I combo fed after first week then solely ff after 3 months.
As for amounts the tub gives you a guide or you can buy ready made but it obv is more expensive.

turtlemoose

katie, weird question i know, but what do you do when you're expressing? Stress blocks milk production, so if you are sitting there (I know I did this!) thinking "oh god if i dont express enough my baby will be hungry and then i'll HAVE to give formula instead of choosing to give it..." etc....that will hinder your expressing success.

I had some advice from a BF'ing expert, and she incrased my pump output no end. I felt a bit silly but it worked, and once it worked i felt more confident that it would work the next time and so on - positive circle.

Anyway....what she said was....

Your baby is the expert at getting milk out, and when you feed your baby they do two things - 1) stimulate the breast physically, and 2) stimulate you emotionally.

So, you need to recreate those the best you can artificially. For number one, massage your breasts (gently but firmly!). Make a fist, and roll fingers against the breast, always in the direction towards the nipple. You could also use an open hand if you prefer, remember always towards the nipple, and don't forget to do the whole of your breast not just the top bit. Something else that is good is a hot moist flannel (at a temperature comfortable to you) - I used to have a jug of hot water so I could dip the flannel back in, lay it on your breast and enjoy the heat.

Now for the emotional bit. You release oxytocin when you nurse your baby, but it's fairly easy to trick the body and get it to release anyway. It's that lovey-dovey feeling when you're having a nice cuddle, that's what you're trying to get. Look at your very cute sleeping baby. If your baby isn't available, lay out the cutest pics you have of baby. In hospital I had a particularly lovely pic of my OH holding baby. Shut your eyes and think of lovely things - how your baby smells, the funny faces they pull when they are falling asleep, your baby's smile etc - whatever works for you, just get feeling soppy!!

THEN express. Try to think the nice things and look at the nice pics (or real baby if poss) while expressing.

When I got told this I thought it sounded like a load of hippy nonsense, but I was desperate and prepared to try anything. To my surprise, it worked wonder for me.

turtlemoose

oh and about 'time' katie - if you do try my advice, yes it does take time - but honestly it was worth it. Getting myself all calm and prepared enabled me to express enough so that I could 'get ahead' with feeds, so that if I wanted to sleep through a feed and my partner could do it, then I could. and once i knew i could express enough, it made it easier and quicker each time. (I was exclusively expressing for 10 days so time was a massive problem for me until I got the hang of it!)

sunshine_1988

Hello all

Katie, hope you are feeling a bit better after all those lovely tips and advice.

Sammie, I dont get headaches, but have noticed since having Aiden I seem to get a lot of cramping during time of the month.

I have had such a busy day! Went to my nieces leaving pre school play earlier, then we went into town to meet some work colleagues for lunch, we got stuck in the rain grrr and then came home for an hour before taking my niece to a birthday party as a favour to my sister. Knackered now!!

I'm really hoping Aiden sleeps through tonight. Hope everyone is okay. xx

katiechoc_2

I'm feeling much better thanks, I'll definitely give those tips a go turtlemoose, I think we'll still get some formula but it'll be a last resort. Feel better for having a plan anyway - thank you very much ladies

Hope you've dried out after being stuck in the rain sunshine, I'm sure I heard we should be in line for some decent weather soon, about time!

sunshine_1988

Definately need some sun!! When I was preg everyone at work said, oh you are so lucky having your maternity leave with all the sun and summer...

I haven't had any!!l

Glad you are feeling better.

xx

katiechoc_2

Thanks

The only sun we've had since George was born was when he was 2 weeks old and he got so hot he was just screaming constantly and would barely feed. It was awful so I guess I'd like it warm, but not too warm :rotfl: I'm never right

Gillyx

Look what bubba learned today!