MSE Pregnancy Club 26

starshinning

what did you have? a boy? Was it a Dec baby ? moneysaving mama

Bangton

RebekahR wrote: »

Did they even ask you if they could give forumla? That is bad if not. That said after my csection I passed out jsut as I was about to give Jess a feed and they had to take her away and give her formula. Made me feel rubbish later when I came round and she was returned to me and she said oh the poor baby was starving, Made me feel like i wasn't caring for my own baby well enough!

Really dont blame yourself on the colic front. Jess was rough from 4 weeks old. Think most of them get so so upset and overstimulated in this new world that that doesnt help either.

We are all good mummies We get enough judgement from people outside we dont need to add it. Man I am still sharing a room with my baby at 15 months get called alsorts I do for that!

It'd hard to feel like a good mummy when you first have a baby!! I question it all so thank you for this post and the colic thing

Regarding the hospital formula feeding..no they didn't ask. My notes stated I planned to try and express and would feed the baby with the colostrum (but it took me a while to decide that so not sure if that was written in my notes somewhere as when I got home and read through my post natal notes it stated I had planned to formula feed anyway! The hospital took my pregnancy notes so I cannot verify this) so I can't be annoyed with them over it. I was under general anaesthetic due to a screw up in theatre when I was sent for an emergency c section so I was out for more than 3 hours post delivery. During this time baby became hungry and I would prefer they had fed him than left him but obvs it wasn't something I could consent to as it was an unexpected situation.

There were a series of mishaps during my labour and birth and as such I have been referred by my midwife for a debrief with the 'head of midwifery' so I can verify the formula feeding business although I am not sure it matters any more. I would have still chose not to as I felt more ill post birth than I have in my life and could barely hold baby let alone feed and feed and feed to stimulate the milk flow. My milk also took ages to come in. It was nearly a week post birth before it did, until then..dry as a bone!! Also I was given a huge array of medication including morphine and couldn't eat because I was so sick so I don't truly believe the milk wouldnt have been good for my baby although they probs gave me a lot of the medication knowing I wasn't BF.

Having said all of that, even when I came round from GA they never asked if I was happy continuing formula feeding and when I asked about expressing 4 days later I was told it was unlikely I'd be able to get enough to feed my baby properly but could try. They brought me a medela pump and said she'd be back to show me - she never came back and I just couldn't be bothered after a while as it was late evening. My notes state I was given a pump and declined to use it! I kind of did but that's because they seemed so negative about it. I don't really understand BF any more. I leaked a lot once milk came in and had assumed I could eventually stimulate the flow enough to start BFing but it was kind of presented that by that time I'd missed the boat!

It's still an emotive subject though - people have asked why I didn't BF and having suffered an awful birth it rakes it all back up. I haven't done skin to skin or BF - 2 things that are so heavily endorsed I can't help but wonder what impact missing them has because it's gone on about so much.

Saying that baby and I are getting on better by the day regardless!!! So if anyone did miss these things for whatever reason it doesn't mean you've totally lost out. I truly believe me and my boy are becoming good buddies!!

BabaMoose

Hi folks,

In the spirit of owl decoration and themes etc. etc. the Lamaze Hoot The Owl is currently £5 (50%) at Debenhams at the moment.

firefly369

Hello Ladies,

I would like to join in please. I see lots of familiar names here from the ttc thread and the less than 12 weeks thread. I didn't join in with the 12-24 thread simply because I had absolutely no symptoms (although I did lurk) and until now have not felt pregnant at all.

Now that bump is doing acrobats and tap dancing it feels a lot more real. Although my only symptoms to complain about is tiredness and peeing more often. (I do know how lightly I am gettiing away with it compared to some of you ladies)

27 + 0

RebekahR

Bangton wrote: »

They brought me a medela pump and said she'd be back to show me - she never came back and I just couldn't be bothered after a while as it was late evening. My notes state I was given a pump and declined to use it! I kind of did but that's because they seemed so negative about it. I don't really understand BF any more. I leaked a lot once milk came in and had assumed I could eventually stimulate the flow enough to start BFing but it was kind of presented that by that time I'd missed the boat!

It's still an emotive subject though - people have asked why I didn't BF and having suffered an awful birth it rakes it all back up. I haven't done skin to skin or BF - 2 things that are so heavily endorsed I can't help but wonder what impact missing them has because it's gone on about so much.

Saying that baby and I are getting on better by the day regardless!!! So if anyone did miss these things for whatever reason it doesn't mean you've totally lost out. I truly believe me and my boy are becoming good buddies!!

Wanna sit here and cry for you I am about as strong as you can get on breastfeeding tbh. On not at all on a bad mummies for giving formula front. But on a damn this is good I wish I could share this with other mums front IYKWIM.

What makes me angrier than angry is the exampe above. A mum shows a desire to try to breastfeed and there is no support whatsoever! How are we meant to know what to do?! We get told oh its best - rahdy rah rah rah. They dont tell you what to do when you nipples are sore - when they are shreded and falling off lol - when you leak eveerywhere - when they dont leak even. Heck we dont know what day milk is meant to come in on - what to expect before then etc etc.

I wore breastpads from the minute she was delivered as I thought I would have something coming out.

It wasn't until I went for help to NCT breastfeeding at 4 weeks after that I saw the light. They explained everything - showed me - etc etc. I wanted to scream from the rooftop why the hell are we not told all this before we have a baby?! I felt and still do that if mummies knew what to expect and what happened and how breastfeeding works then a lot wouldn't give up as easy. And to have the physical support there for as long as needed. GRRR.

Sorry ladies. I am extremely luck that the support I got was blinking fantastic from day dot.

Jess was Csection (breech due to womb defect) within half hour I asked to have her put on my breast. She went on and from there on at every feed all I had to do was ask and they would help me to get her on. At night time they had 2 specialists workingover night as well and they would come in and sit with you and work on position etc etc. I was going mad after being home and my nipples were raw.I knew my positioning was ok. And at 3 weeks a midwife picked up that Jess had a tongue tie - a very common reason for sore nipples after positioning. Once it was cut all was good. But I had lost all self confidence by then. I wanted to give up. I was already giving her formula 1-2 times in the night but was worried about it having an effect on supply. I trotted off to NCT they sat with me check positioning again - talked over little things - I was using nipple shields as the pain was agonsing before the tie was sorted. They were the first to tell me that was ok. HV was on about it decreasing supply. (Tosh! ;-) ) If I hadnt have gone to the group I would have put her on formula I was at my wits end.
But this time after 4 weeks hard work there wasn't a hell I was giving up! I worked for it and was going to keep it up. Still breastfeeding now at 15 months ;-) Damn proud of myself. We were seperated over night when she was 9 days old as I was in A&E. She had forumla that night with hubby But again maternity came up trumps ... they brought me over a pump and showed me how to use it and gave me some bottles to store my milk in. Told me how often to express. They were fab.

Basically you don't tend to get milk in until around day 5 give or take a few days either side. Everyone is individual ... The colustrum is a teeeensey weeensey bit. The babys tummy day 1 is the size of your thumb nail! That doesnt take too long to fill up but does empty very quicky. Every other day after that it doubles in size until ( I cant remember when ... 7 days?) This is why they are seen to be constantly hungry and ladies think they are not producing enough milk. The long feeds are some comfort but also a signal to your body to make more milk please. This is what we call a growth spurt/cluster feed/etc etc. It is all normal. It works on supply and demand - The more the baby asks for - the more your body will make. You tend to get more milk in after the baby has asked for it within 24-48 hours. (Hence the flooding! lol) During the temporary time they are feeding lots you can be slightly short right then but ... I didnt know this ... but ... Your boobs refill within 40 minutes :-D So I used to feed her on 1 boob for 20 minutes - swap over and then feed her on the 2nd and swap back etc during the really mad feeding times. When I was fed up and had a square bum I passed her over to hubby for a wee and a quick break then we got back to it. So please please dont think you dont have enough milk ... It is all normal!!! Baby is jsut feedings lots to ask your body to make more. I guess in away it makes sense. Your body doesnt know what baby wants so baby has to tell it somehow. All my family and my HV told me to give up and put Jess on formula after 2 weeks as she was feeding like mad. Kept telling me I had no milk. I gave up - believed them - doubted myself - But i'm so glad I went to NCT and learn the truth. This is why I post here like a mad woman. I want to share this with those ladies that do want to try it. I am not against ladies giving formula - I dont think you are all bad mummies - Ive given to Jess as I said - I am against this stupid medical profession shouting at us like nazi's and yet NOT giving us the correct information and support when its really needed!!!

Please ladies get yourselves your local breastfeeding group numbers and details - and if you end up with rubbish midwives etc go to a group. They are bleeding brilliant and saved my journey.

Oh and did you know ... if your reading this days or weeks or even months down the line ... you can relactate!! Apparently!;)

Love to you and please please shout me on pm if you have any questions I really arn't as mean as some would think. I hope the above helps you to understand me and my passion a bit more. I jsut want every mum to have the chance to share this fabulous journey that I have. If they dont want it themselves then thats all grand for them. If others do then arm yourselves with all the info you can and dont be afraid to give the odd bottle here and there!! It saved me. xx

KScarlet

:mad:I haven't read back through yet as I'm on my phone but can anyone please help... My belly button has gone from an innie to an outie :eek: it looks gross. The over stretching is quite painful, my entire stomach hurts especially belly button. Is there anything I can put on it? Bio oil hasn't helped at all and palmers (the free sample bottles) is making it hurt more

Rummer

KScarlet wrote: »

:mad:I haven't read back through yet as I'm on my phone but can anyone please help... My belly button has gone from an innie to an outie :eek: it looks gross. The over stretching is quite painful, my entire stomach hurts especially belly button. Is there anything I can put on it? Bio oil hasn't helped at all and palmers (the free sample bottles) is making it hurt more

That has happened to mine too, no idea what to suggest though.

KScarlet

This didn't happen last time! Every time I look at it it makes me feel sick sorry I feel a bit daft making a big drama of it, DH thinks it's hilarious!

Baba the nursery progress looks great that owl from debenhams is lovely just trying to look for a free del code but not having much luck. I will post nursery pics once ours is done I've almost finished sticking just can't reach some! Still a few things to do, although I've finished work this week is full of appts so hoping I can find time! X

Good luck to Brunette for tomorrow, this baby boy of yours is a little monkey! X

Think I might have to catch up properly tomorrow, shopping today has really taken it out of me!

Rummer

KScarlet wrote: »

This didn't happen last time! Every time I look at it it makes me feel sick sorry I feel a bit daft making a big drama of it, DH thinks it's hilarious!

I was a bit shocked when I saw mine as this didn't happen last time for me either :eek: Oh and my hubby thought it was very funny too!

KScarlet

Rummer wrote: »

I was a bit shocked when I saw mine as this didn't happen last time for me either :eek: Oh and my hubby thought it was very funny too!

Oh dear we obviously both have mean hubby's! Do you know what you're expecting? (sorry can't see list!) just wondering as I was so neat/ barely a bump with my son whereas this time expecting a girl I seem HUGE! I was so lucky with stretch marks last time but I can already see lots of new ones xx