MSE Pregnancy Club 28

FreddieFrugal

Same here - also not discussed names with anyone - we liked one name all the way through, but felt almost like we were going with it ourely because we couldn't think of anything else.

It's major decision since he's stuck with it. I think we probably won't know until he's here...but we're worried that we'll end up with a nameless baby.

ThinkPink

We actually agreed on a name quite easily, so I really hope it suits him otherwise I don't know what we will do. He also has two middle names picked out as we agreed that we could pick one each (my oh has two middle names so it's nice baby Will also have two) that way there was no disagreements.

Weve kept our name choice secret, only my sister and one of our friends know (they guessed), firstly as I wanted there to be a surprise element in being able to tell people and secondly as I think that people are a lot more opinionated beforehand than once he's actually here and we've started calling him by his name!!

Kynthia

Welcome to the group Kenny.

Flutter you've done amazingly well. I think breastfeeding isn't easy and admire those that manage it. I didn't last time but we'll see this time, but I can imagine cluster feeding is difficult to combine with looking after a toddler, but people do manage it and I do like a good boxset.:D

I prefer not to discuss baby names too much with others due to their negative opinions on what may end up being the baby's name. I think I've heard there's an app you can get where it suggests loads of names and you swop right or left depending on if you like them. Then you can link to your partner's app to see what names you both 'liked' and just discuss them, therefore you can avoid the disagreement when you suggest a name you like and they don't.

I had a 3d scan during the week but my girl didn't play ball. She was breech and face down, so I went for a walk a while eating a chocolate bar. When I came back she was transverse with her legs up in front of her face. All I saw was an ear and no amount of jiggling or bump slapping (as fun as it sounds) would move her. So I have to reschedule. :rotfl:

jtr2803

Hope everyone is well, sounds like lots of preparations happening! Apologies for not posting for a bit, has been a bit hectic.

Jess is 9 days old today. We are having some issues with weight loss as she's dropped 10.9% since birth. She doesn't seem to be tongue tie but she does have a diddy little mouth so her latch is really shallow.

I'm feeding as much as possible and trying to express to top her by up. It's hard work!

Kynthia

jtr2803 wrote: »

Hope everyone is well, sounds like lots of preparations happening! Apologies for not posting for a bit, has been a bit hectic.

Jess is 9 days old today. We are having some issues with weight loss as she's dropped 10.9% since birth. She doesn't seem to be tongue tie but she does have a diddy little mouth so her latch is really shallow.

I'm feeding as much as possible and trying to express to top her by up. It's hard work!

You poor thing. It isn't unusual for breast fed babies to drop more than 10% so don't blame yourself or think you are very unusual. Are you getting good support or are you feeling pressured to give formula when you'd like to try and make breast feeding work? If tge latter then see if the local NCT can put you in touch with a breast - feeding support group or counsellor, or see if you can find a La Leche group. I hope you're doing okay as you need to look after yourself too.

Beckyy

I hope Jess starting putting a bit more soon jtr, it sounds like you're doing a great job BFing.

Any advice from those BFing on nursing bras? When (or when to wait until) to buy and any recommendations? I'm 36 weeks now so don't know whether it's too early to start looking to buy.

ThinkPink

I'm 39 weeks on Monday and am going to try and get sorted with a nursing bra probably Tuesday.

I remember from working in mothercare years ago when we measured someone still pregnant fror a nursing bra we would take them down one size around the rib cage and up a cup size to allow for growth once the milk comes in, but I'm not sure if this is still the case, or actually how accurate this actually was!!

psychopathbabble

Kynthia wrote: »

You poor thing. It isn't unusual for breast fed babies to drop more than 10% so don't blame yourself or think you are very unusual. Are you getting good support or are you feeling pressured to give formula when you'd like to try and make breast feeding work? If tge latter then see if the local NCT can put you in touch with a breast - feeding support group or counsellor, or see if you can find a La Leche group. I hope you're doing okay as you need to look after yourself too.

JTR my friend was telling me that the growth chart they go by is actually for formula fed babies NOT breastfed babies which is different. So don't worry that Jess has dropped some weight, it's normal. The HV ending up making my friends SIL feel like she was doing a rubbish job because of this stupid chart and ended up going onto formula. As long as baby is happy and thriving then you are doing an awesome job. X

jtr2803

Thanks ladies. In fairness the midwives are fine and telling me not to worry too much, to just keep feeding but not sure if that will change tomorrow.

I've been to a support group and everything looks OK so hoping we just needed a few more days. I have a private lactation consultant details if I need to get someone out. She's been feeding lots today and I can see milk in her mouth when she unlatched so that's pleasing!

euronorris

flutterbyuk25 wrote: »

Beckyy - on the whole I'm loving breastfeeding. The first few days it did hurt a bit when he latched on but it was a short sharp pain that went quickly. it did make my toes curl sometimes though! I've had to use nipple sheilds as my nipples are a bit inverted and I have massive boobs, so luckily no cracked nipples yet. I'll be honest and say that cluster feeding days are a b!tch, but once you give in and just plonk yourself on sofa with food/drink/boxset/books you can get through it. It's also tough not being able to leave him with OH to go out by myself for a bit (though hopefully this will change when I start expressing), and I do all the night feeds right now obviously. Oh sleeps through his cries! But we have upgraded to a super king size bed and a bednest for Lenny, and now I feed laying down at night so we co sleep sometimes, and I get a decent amount of sleep now (he tends to get 3-4hours initially, then feeds off and on for couple hours, then another 2 hours sleep. Twice I've thought why am I putting myself thru this after a bad/sleepless night but you get through it. But it's all totally worth it when I see him flourishing thanks to me, putting on weight and being happy. You will end up having your boobs out constantly! And after the first few public feeds you don't care or worry. I find the breastfeeding group I went to useful, nice to be with like minded people and share tips.

I'll add to this that everyone's experiences are different. I know some women have awfully sore nipples, but I haven't had any issues. It was more sore in the first few weeks, but no problem now.

Also, when everything you're reading says it gets better/easier after 6 weeks - they're right. It can be really tough in the early weeks, and you can feel like a milk machine and glued to the chair/bed during cluster feeds, but it really does get better. Mia will be 9 weeks on Monday and it's already much easier and I don't get any soreness now.

But do batch cook in preparation. Those early weeks leave you with little time to eat, let alone cook.

I'm also a fan of the Boots ultra thin advanced breast pads. I just leak through their standard ones in an hour or two! But I have an oversupply issue, so others might not experience the same.

As for sleeping, all babies are different, but Mia was doing 5-6 hour blocks after a few weeks. And last night we had our second night this week where she slept for 8 hours before waking for a feed. So breastfeeding doesn't necessarily mean waking for lots of feeds. Just as formula won't guarantee a longer sleep. We have been very lucky on that front though. She won't hardly sleep through the day though, unless she's in our arms. We're working on that one!

Oh, and her grandma bought her a Ewan Dream Sheep this week, which she really likes. We're hoping that it will help us to get her to nap better during the day. It certainly cslms her down a lot