Hi Nikola
I expressed at least one feed a day for Daniel at the same time each day and my body adjusted to that milk production. I can't see why your body wouldn't adjust to you solely expressing but I'm sure Nicky will give you better advice.
As for the breast v bottle thing, I can see it from both sides. I loved feeding Charlotte but feeding Daniel was a nightmare and he lost loads of weight. As soon as he went onto bottles, he started thriving and within a fortnight was a chubby, happy baby. So it really worked for him, and he and DH had a really close relationship because he gave Daniel most of his bottles. My sister's breastfeeding her 4 month old baby and at the moment he feeds every 1-2 hours so she just spends her life feeding him; I'm lucky that Charlotte wasn't like that but I can see why you're worried about it. Whatever you decide has to be best for you and your bubbas, not for your midwife/Health Visitor/whoever else sticks their nose in, so do what you're happy with.
Jules
C-sections - for Shell
Hi everyone,
I wouldn't say I was mature..you should have seen me last Friday....drunk lying on the floor trying to take photo's up men's kilts....but that's another story!!!!
Nikola, don't ever let anyone make you feel guilty about not wanting to breastfeed. The nurses gave me a hard time at first, but you must always do what you feel is right for you....trust me it is a stressful enough time without then having to justify yourself. When you are in hospital make sure Dh knows what you want to do as well as he can always be your backup in talking to the nurses and it really worked for me when I got a hard time from one nurse. Dh strutted into the nurses area and gave them what for...and I never got hassle about it again!!!
Expressing is not a major hassle but it can be sore. I got loads of advice from the breastfeeding nurses NCT are also brilliant and they were really supportive. One of their nurses said it really is only the first few weeks of milk that are the most beneficial and we had no choice at the start but to mix formula and breast as it did take my body a few weeks to adjust....once I got going though my Dh used to call me Bessie (his best Milker!!) and threaten to take me to the shed every morning and play classical music to improve my milk production!!!
I started with an electrical pump and then personally found the hand held Avent pump the best, and we froze any excess so managed really well for 12 weeks after that I found it hard to keep up with their increasing feeds and switched to formula. It was the best of both worlds. We had time with each baby, I knew they had had mainly Breast milk and they have both thrived. So don't be afraid to stick to your guns. I couldn't believe how much pressure there is to breastfeed and of all my friends I would say only about half manage it..or want to do it...so you are not alone.
Tracey, great to see you back...you mad badger you.....I've never forgot the singing Knickers...and now you can start to think about the singing bra to let you know when the milks leaking!!!
Shell, Oh my god nearly there...we are all now on tenterhooks to finally meet this baby...so heaven knows what you must be feeling...keeping it all crossed (but don't don't you cross anything!!)
Jules, all news will be winging it's way to you today in an e-mail!!
Anything else just ask...I feel like Lucy in the peanuts cartoon handing out dimestore therapy!!! (and showing my age..) Mind you I just found the cutest Snoopy socks in Marks and Sparks and just had to buy them for Ross!!!
Oops rambling on
Take Care
Nicky
I wouldn't say I was mature..you should have seen me last Friday....drunk lying on the floor trying to take photo's up men's kilts....but that's another story!!!!
Nikola, don't ever let anyone make you feel guilty about not wanting to breastfeed. The nurses gave me a hard time at first, but you must always do what you feel is right for you....trust me it is a stressful enough time without then having to justify yourself. When you are in hospital make sure Dh knows what you want to do as well as he can always be your backup in talking to the nurses and it really worked for me when I got a hard time from one nurse. Dh strutted into the nurses area and gave them what for...and I never got hassle about it again!!!
Expressing is not a major hassle but it can be sore. I got loads of advice from the breastfeeding nurses NCT are also brilliant and they were really supportive. One of their nurses said it really is only the first few weeks of milk that are the most beneficial and we had no choice at the start but to mix formula and breast as it did take my body a few weeks to adjust....once I got going though my Dh used to call me Bessie (his best Milker!!) and threaten to take me to the shed every morning and play classical music to improve my milk production!!!
I started with an electrical pump and then personally found the hand held Avent pump the best, and we froze any excess so managed really well for 12 weeks after that I found it hard to keep up with their increasing feeds and switched to formula. It was the best of both worlds. We had time with each baby, I knew they had had mainly Breast milk and they have both thrived. So don't be afraid to stick to your guns. I couldn't believe how much pressure there is to breastfeed and of all my friends I would say only about half manage it..or want to do it...so you are not alone.
Tracey, great to see you back...you mad badger you.....I've never forgot the singing Knickers...and now you can start to think about the singing bra to let you know when the milks leaking!!!
Shell, Oh my god nearly there...we are all now on tenterhooks to finally meet this baby...so heaven knows what you must be feeling...keeping it all crossed (but don't don't you cross anything!!)
Jules, all news will be winging it's way to you today in an e-mail!!
Anything else just ask...I feel like Lucy in the peanuts cartoon handing out dimestore therapy!!! (and showing my age..) Mind you I just found the cutest Snoopy socks in Marks and Sparks and just had to buy them for Ross!!!
Oops rambling on
Take Care
Nicky
Hi all
can't believe how many things I will need to think about/remember etc. Feels great reading your advice could just sit here all day!
What type are your prams? 2 together or one in front of the other? If they are 2 together do you manage okay getting in the house and into shops?
I have just found out that my hospital doesn't scan until week 20 so I am going to beg next Tuesday for a scan. I haven't seen them since I had OHSS and am desperate to know that everything is okay.
Is an 8-10 wait normal for a pram?
Nicola never let anyone pressurise you into doing something you don't want to, stick to your guns you know what is best for you.
Jules and Nicky keep on talking I feel like I just can't get enough information.
Take care twinnie mams to be
Love Lisa
(twins 13 weeks) xx
can't believe how many things I will need to think about/remember etc. Feels great reading your advice could just sit here all day!
What type are your prams? 2 together or one in front of the other? If they are 2 together do you manage okay getting in the house and into shops?
I have just found out that my hospital doesn't scan until week 20 so I am going to beg next Tuesday for a scan. I haven't seen them since I had OHSS and am desperate to know that everything is okay.
Is an 8-10 wait normal for a pram?
Nicola never let anyone pressurise you into doing something you don't want to, stick to your guns you know what is best for you.
Jules and Nicky keep on talking I feel like I just can't get enough information.
Take care twinnie mams to be
Love Lisa
(twins 13 weeks) xx
Lisa,
Twin prams....I have to say the only way it worked for me was the side by side ones...reasons being..
a) You can reach either of them really quickly....wipe one's nose while clearing dribble off the other!!!
b) Less pressure on your lower back and much easier to get accross busy roads
c) You don't feel guilty about deciding who gets to sit Up front!!!
We chose not to go for a three wheeler as the maclaren does fit through most doors, is easy to manoeuvre and really well padded so they have been in theirs from when the were out of hospital (still 3 weeks before due date and Ross only weighed 4 1/2lb then and Rebecca was just 6lb) to today...We use it every day and it is still going strong.
Make sure you try the prams/buggies out by pushing them around the shop and then you can feel what suits...and take into account who will do the most pushing and buy the pram to suit them.
Hope this helps
Nicky
Twin prams....I have to say the only way it worked for me was the side by side ones...reasons being..
a) You can reach either of them really quickly....wipe one's nose while clearing dribble off the other!!!
b) Less pressure on your lower back and much easier to get accross busy roads
c) You don't feel guilty about deciding who gets to sit Up front!!!
We chose not to go for a three wheeler as the maclaren does fit through most doors, is easy to manoeuvre and really well padded so they have been in theirs from when the were out of hospital (still 3 weeks before due date and Ross only weighed 4 1/2lb then and Rebecca was just 6lb) to today...We use it every day and it is still going strong.
Make sure you try the prams/buggies out by pushing them around the shop and then you can feel what suits...and take into account who will do the most pushing and buy the pram to suit them.
Hope this helps
Nicky
-
bubblymichelle
- Valued Contributor
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:16 am
- Location: West Midlands
Hi Everyone,
Well still no sign for me and I am 39wks today, I really thought baby would be here by now, but thats probably because of everything that as been said at the hospital.
1. Biggish Baby.
2. Induce me.
3. Big for how far I have gone.
4. Christmas Baby.
It all gets said and even my midwife says that she will be lucky to see me at the surgery Friday because I would be induced. Well she is going to be surprised because its Friday tomorrow so I will be going into the surgery.
Love
Shell.
39wks pg
xx
Well still no sign for me and I am 39wks today, I really thought baby would be here by now, but thats probably because of everything that as been said at the hospital.
1. Biggish Baby.
2. Induce me.
3. Big for how far I have gone.
4. Christmas Baby.
It all gets said and even my midwife says that she will be lucky to see me at the surgery Friday because I would be induced. Well she is going to be surprised because its Friday tomorrow so I will be going into the surgery.
Love
Shell.
39wks pg
xx
-
helenlouise
- Regular
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 12:15 pm
- Location: Hampshire
Shell, how exciting knowing that today or tomorrow could be the day!!Hi Lisa!
I was due no scans between my nuchal scan at 12 weeks and my 20 week scan (which turned out to be at 23 weeks). I got myself quite wound up that I didn't know how both babies were doing as the midwife could never tell whether she got one or two heartbeats. So at 16 weeks DH rang up our local antenatal unit and insisted they scanned me to reassure me. It really did help to have that extra scan.
As for pushchairs, both of ours have been side by side. They're both narrow enough to go through our front door which is important in the early days when you'll probably take the babies to get them to sleep. It can be frustrating going round shops but my local shops now know us well enough to put up with me pushing displays out of the way as we go round! I always wanted them to be sitting next to each other so that they could see each other and talk to each other - at 21 months old, they talk to us but still don't talk to each other so I think I was living in a bit of a dreamworld! But side-by-sides are much easier to push than tandems.
All the best.
Jules
I was due no scans between my nuchal scan at 12 weeks and my 20 week scan (which turned out to be at 23 weeks). I got myself quite wound up that I didn't know how both babies were doing as the midwife could never tell whether she got one or two heartbeats. So at 16 weeks DH rang up our local antenatal unit and insisted they scanned me to reassure me. It really did help to have that extra scan.
As for pushchairs, both of ours have been side by side. They're both narrow enough to go through our front door which is important in the early days when you'll probably take the babies to get them to sleep. It can be frustrating going round shops but my local shops now know us well enough to put up with me pushing displays out of the way as we go round! I always wanted them to be sitting next to each other so that they could see each other and talk to each other - at 21 months old, they talk to us but still don't talk to each other so I think I was living in a bit of a dreamworld! But side-by-sides are much easier to push than tandems.
All the best.
Jules
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
Jules/Nicky
Thank you both for all your very grown up advice - its very much appreciated! I have actually been and looked at a real live pram (as opposed to magazines)! I didn't go as far as to try pushing one, I have to take these things one day at a time. I've only jsut got over the shock I'm pregnant for goodness.....wouldn't want to rush things!
I have my list of recommendations printed off ready to take with me next weekend. I feel much more informed and ready to avoid having the shop assistant try and sell me everything!
I'm guessing once I buy one thing the floodgates will open and there will be no stopping me! I want to buy the furniture so I can start and make the nursery look like a nursery - rather than a dressing room as it is at the moment. Its a damn good excuse for me to tidy all our clothes away!
(especially as most of mine don't fit me anymore!)
I also feel much better about breastfeeding. I've spoken to dh and told him whatever I decide I'll expect him to back me up and if he doesn't I can't be held responsible for upsetting nurses at the hospital! I'm not the sort of person to be pushed into things, especially once I've made my mind up!!
I do like the idea of expressing milk and then both of us can share the experience of feeding.......I guess we'll see what happens.
Have a great weekend everybody!!
love nikola.xx
ps Shell if you go quiet over the weekend we shall all know something must be happening!!! Make sure Lee remembers to post and let us all know what you are having (a boy!)
Thank you both for all your very grown up advice - its very much appreciated! I have actually been and looked at a real live pram (as opposed to magazines)! I didn't go as far as to try pushing one, I have to take these things one day at a time. I've only jsut got over the shock I'm pregnant for goodness.....wouldn't want to rush things!
I have my list of recommendations printed off ready to take with me next weekend. I feel much more informed and ready to avoid having the shop assistant try and sell me everything!
I'm guessing once I buy one thing the floodgates will open and there will be no stopping me! I want to buy the furniture so I can start and make the nursery look like a nursery - rather than a dressing room as it is at the moment. Its a damn good excuse for me to tidy all our clothes away!
(especially as most of mine don't fit me anymore!)
I also feel much better about breastfeeding. I've spoken to dh and told him whatever I decide I'll expect him to back me up and if he doesn't I can't be held responsible for upsetting nurses at the hospital! I'm not the sort of person to be pushed into things, especially once I've made my mind up!!
I do like the idea of expressing milk and then both of us can share the experience of feeding.......I guess we'll see what happens.
Have a great weekend everybody!!
love nikola.xx
ps Shell if you go quiet over the weekend we shall all know something must be happening!!! Make sure Lee remembers to post and let us all know what you are having (a boy!)
Thanks Jules and Nicky
they were 2 posts in my favour, dh thinks a tandom pram will be much easier to get around and in and out of places and I wanted the 2 seats together. I was just a bit worried about getting in house and shop door ways.
My new hospital haven't seen me or scanned me at all yet, they said they just don't scan at all until 20 weeks (which in my expert! opinion is far to long) I am going to ask them to scan and check the cysts have gone down and see if that works.
I am now compiling a list of things to buy and recommendations so its really helpful.
Love Lisa xx
they were 2 posts in my favour, dh thinks a tandom pram will be much easier to get around and in and out of places and I wanted the 2 seats together. I was just a bit worried about getting in house and shop door ways.
My new hospital haven't seen me or scanned me at all yet, they said they just don't scan at all until 20 weeks (which in my expert! opinion is far to long) I am going to ask them to scan and check the cysts have gone down and see if that works.
I am now compiling a list of things to buy and recommendations so its really helpful.
Love Lisa xx
Jules
great advice as usual
Nicky the same and can we get some of the photos you mentioned up your kilt ones???
Lisa - re DH wanting a tandem - thought probably not a good idea as with the tandem only one seat lies flat for a newborn and the other is more upright so better for one baby being a bit older like at least 9 months otherwise not really possible to have them is it? - the babies less than nine months apart or a tandem - god what rubbish I talk!
Nik - you're quite this weekend - oops - christening - hope all went ok - what's it like doing one of those without wine?
Love to all
Tracey
xxx
great advice as usual
Nicky the same and can we get some of the photos you mentioned up your kilt ones???
Lisa - re DH wanting a tandem - thought probably not a good idea as with the tandem only one seat lies flat for a newborn and the other is more upright so better for one baby being a bit older like at least 9 months otherwise not really possible to have them is it? - the babies less than nine months apart or a tandem - god what rubbish I talk!
Nik - you're quite this weekend - oops - christening - hope all went ok - what's it like doing one of those without wine?
Love to all
Tracey
xxx
Hi
I'm back from christening and TS in answer to your question they are dull as dish water without wine!!!! All those screaming kids everywhere (mine better not be badly behaved.........famous last words!!) They always seem worse when they are somebody elses!
Phew glad its over and I'm home. We had to get up at 6.30am to drive over there for a 9.30 service. Must remember to organise mine at a sensible time!! Besides which everybody is sh!tfaced by lunchtime!!
Oh, I knew I had something of interest to say (honest!), I ordered a book - Which guide to baby products - I can't remember who suggested it (probably the grown-ups - Nicky/Jules!) but its great!!! Tells you lots of different shops and places on the internet to buy. I love it.
We also got a heart monitor machine (dh bought it for me as a surprise!) He doesn't ever get to hear the heartbeats - this usually happens on my midwife visits and I go to them alone. So yesterday morning I was laid out with jelly on my tummy and dh pretending he is in ER.....anyone who can remember what it was like for me having my injections and dh getting over-excited about mixing and preparing will know exactly what I'm now having to go through!! He things he is Dr Carter from ER!!!! At least this time it doesn't hurt.......
Quite an exciting weekend!
love to you all
nikola.xxxxx
I'm back from christening and TS in answer to your question they are dull as dish water without wine!!!! All those screaming kids everywhere (mine better not be badly behaved.........famous last words!!) They always seem worse when they are somebody elses!
Phew glad its over and I'm home. We had to get up at 6.30am to drive over there for a 9.30 service. Must remember to organise mine at a sensible time!! Besides which everybody is sh!tfaced by lunchtime!!
Oh, I knew I had something of interest to say (honest!), I ordered a book - Which guide to baby products - I can't remember who suggested it (probably the grown-ups - Nicky/Jules!) but its great!!! Tells you lots of different shops and places on the internet to buy. I love it.
We also got a heart monitor machine (dh bought it for me as a surprise!) He doesn't ever get to hear the heartbeats - this usually happens on my midwife visits and I go to them alone. So yesterday morning I was laid out with jelly on my tummy and dh pretending he is in ER.....anyone who can remember what it was like for me having my injections and dh getting over-excited about mixing and preparing will know exactly what I'm now having to go through!! He things he is Dr Carter from ER!!!! At least this time it doesn't hurt.......
Quite an exciting weekend!
love to you all
nikola.xxxxx
Not that I like to boast or anything Nik but the book was my suggestion - when we had one of our marathon phone sessions - not suprised you forget - it is nearly the next day when we get off!!
It's a great book - I can be quite anal about these things and find it helps to have some ideas before you get bombarded by stores etc trying to flog you everything
Love
Tracey
xxx
It's a great book - I can be quite anal about these things and find it helps to have some ideas before you get bombarded by stores etc trying to flog you everything
Love
Tracey
xxx
TS, I'm glad I mentioned it on here because its a really brilliant book! Well done! I've been reading it every night and i've started making my own list. I like the way its totally unbiaised about any product/shop, so it just mentions what it thinks is useful or a good buy. At the end of each chapter is a little checklist that you can tick what you want - I'm onto chapter 3 - nursery furniture! Need to finish it before Saturday's visit to John Lewis!!! Can't wait. I might actually make my first purchase.....
love nikola.xxx
love nikola.xxx
Nik
Glad you like it - I kept ticking too much and then DH comes along and rubs them out again - and that was with one! - Yikes!!!
HAve the new mothercare catalogue thro today and Humphrey is not lilac - silly moo - he is now a cream base with a lilal type lining and has changed a bit - still like the yellow though
Happy shopping
Love
Tracey
xxx
Glad you like it - I kept ticking too much and then DH comes along and rubs them out again - and that was with one! - Yikes!!!
HAve the new mothercare catalogue thro today and Humphrey is not lilac - silly moo - he is now a cream base with a lilal type lining and has changed a bit - still like the yellow though
Happy shopping
Love
Tracey
xxx
Tracey
did you order the mothercare brochure on the net? I've not been in a mothercare before!! Guess its time I started. Maybe I'll send off for the brochure. They seem to be really reasonable and sell everything!!
Oh and another thing, went to lunch with my friend Anna and her 10 week old baby and she had a Jane pushchair - I so want one!!!! I've searched for a double but can not find one anywhere - let me know if you find one. Anna said its the best pushchair ever - v.light and easy to use! Essential with twins I would imagine!!!
Best go, am working today, bloody shock to the system, I can tell you!!
love nikola.x
did you order the mothercare brochure on the net? I've not been in a mothercare before!! Guess its time I started. Maybe I'll send off for the brochure. They seem to be really reasonable and sell everything!!
Oh and another thing, went to lunch with my friend Anna and her 10 week old baby and she had a Jane pushchair - I so want one!!!! I've searched for a double but can not find one anywhere - let me know if you find one. Anna said its the best pushchair ever - v.light and easy to use! Essential with twins I would imagine!!!
Best go, am working today, bloody shock to the system, I can tell you!!
love nikola.x