MSE Newborn to 1 year (& beyond!) baby club 3

Mrshaworth2b

Aunty-Pickle wrote: »

family live hours away and friends are all at work during the day.

he's either feeding or I'm trying to settle him. It seems like as soon as I've put him down he's wanting another feed.

I'm just so tired

I'm sure there will be plenty of breastfeeding mum's along to offer some advice but just wanted to say that is normal, there were nights where my son was feeding every 3 or 4 hours and it would take an hour to finish the bottle, then I had to wind and sometimes he would take so long to settle that he wouldn't settle before his next bottle so I would have sat up for over 4 hrs, my oh would wake up for the next feed and say "has it been 4 hrs already" and I would have to stop myself kicking him in the balls

Is your oh being supportive? Does he work normal office hours? I'm only being nosy to see if I can suggest anything

Aunty-Pickle

My OH is being my rock.
He leaves 8am and is back at 6pm. He makes sandwiches for me before he leaves and cooks tea when he gets back. He takes baby when he comes home to try and give me some rest. He is doing as much as he can considering he has to go to work!

lazywife

Aunty-Pickle wrote: »

family live hours away and friends are all at work during the day.

he's either feeding or I'm trying to settle him. It seems like as soon as I've put him down he's wanting another feed.

I'm just so tired

Sounds like you're doing a great job AP. I breast fed my LO and there were some days that I felt that it was all I was doing. I know you're fairly early days, but quite quickly I started to try and distract LO in different ways. If it hadn't been 2 hrs since (the start of) the previous feed it's unlikely LO is truly hungry/thirsty, so try other things... in some ways more tiring, but trying to tickle their toes, trying to rock then to sleep (4music was my sanity?!?!! I used to dance about rocking T for some time... kept me up to date in my music tastes). Or, as Saf said, sometimes they're just fussing because you're there and have an innate ability to sniff you out.
Also it is so early on. If you've got out of your pyjamas, and brushed your hair in the last week you're doing really well. (Dry shampoo will become your friend and that's on a really posh day!). Love that your OH makes you a sandwich and dinner, he's fab. I too had no family nearby and although seems tricky, it's nice that you get into your own little routine.
Be back to chat later.
Congrats to all new Mums!
L.xxx

Aunty-Pickle

lazywife wrote: »

If it hadn't been 2 hrs since (the start of) the previous feed it's unlikely LO is truly hungry/thirsty, so try other things...

he's extra unsettled today - don't know why (3 weeks today). he's on his 9th feed since midnight.
(normally has 9 or 10 per 24hrs)

fran-o

Hi Aunty Pickle - congrats on your little bundle!
No one tells you how hard the first weeks can be and you wouldn't believe them if they did. You sound very much like I was in early weeks. Struggling with sleep deprivation and the demands of breastfeeding and wondering how long I could go on... But it does get better!
My baby used to breastfeed lots (I was expecting every three-four hours but it was much more often.) There are things you can do to help. My baby used to fall asleep on the boob and not have a full feed, then wake up hungry half hour later. So if you can, keep baby awake while feeding (stroke cheek/ nose etc) so baby has as much milk as they need and can go longer between feeds. It's probably too early to notice a pattern to baby's naps but once you do make sure you are resting when you can - take away all distractions. You will have days when all baby wants is milk, I recommend a good box set/ net flicks! There is a lot about motherhood which is about acceptance of your new role, it'll get easier! All my early midwife-hv notes say 'mother tearful'! If it continues speak to a sympathetic professional - midwife hv or gp as you can get help. Talking is good and we're here if you just need space to talk.

My LO is 15months now and more toddler than baby but those early days are still vivid x

gayleygoo

I hope you got some rest today Aunty Pickle? How has today been?

My HV doesn't seem to be very helpful with breastfeeding either, and wasn't pleased with his weight gain in the third week (even though he was normal for guidelines). One thing that was recommended to me was to have a bed day. Just stay in bed all day with your baby if you can, with lots of skin-to-skin to stimulate feeding.

I think things have settled down a bit for us now, but the first 3 weeks was constant feeding. I barely left the sofa (and even without a c-section I was shaky on my feet), and when I set him down at night I felt like I was just drifting over to sleep when he'd wake again. My nipples were agony and I'd burst into tears at the thought of feeding again. This all happened with my other children too, and it did eventually get better.

Saffagal

Aunty Pickle, I too had no family around and like you say friends are all at work. Once I was able to get out (around the 6week mark) I joined my local children's centre and that became my rock - and support - over the next few months.

Something that I found really helped me was to learn to feed in a wrap/sling though I don't think I mastered that before 6 weeks. I did use them to carry baby around though (I had a stretchy wrap and a babasling) and it meant that my hands were free so I could do something else but baby was close to me and so settled and happy.

If I recall there may be a growth spurt around about where you are - and when they hit it will feel like all you do is feed. As someone else said, a box of dvd's is your friend.

Big hugs, we have been there and survived. You will too x

Saffagal

Lanolin nipple cream = the purple tube was my absolute lifesaver for at least the first 6 - 8 weeks! Marvellous stuff!

Aunty-Pickle

Saffagal wrote: »

Big hugs, we have been there and survived. You will too x

thank you everyone

lazywife

Saffagal wrote: »

Lanolin nipple cream = the purple tube was my absolute lifesaver for at least the first 6 - 8 weeks! Marvellous stuff!

Ooooh yes Lansinol? Nipple cream... bloody marvelous!