Sorry for the silence!
It's been a mad week! So here's what happened. We persevered with the bottle and I gave him some formula to try when he was calm and happy, between normal feeds. He took a few sucks and BANG the lower half of his face went all red then white raised spots started to appear (like a nettle rash) and it was really scary! He was not bothered and smiled through while I watched him like a hawk. It went down after an hour and Mama had taken a few photos.
I went to the GP armed with my photos the next day and was told it is almost certainly a milk protein allergy! No dairy when we start to wean, keep piriton in the house etc...... :( She suggested Soya milk.... I went away a little overwhelmed and started to research. Turns out the FSA (Food Standards Agency??!) say no soya to under 1's and definitely not to boys as it is full of Oestrogen. So I went back to the GP armed with this information and asked for a referral to a Paediatric allergist and a dietitian. A resounding no. I was told to try the same formula or a different brand again!! And so Mama vs the Dr begins!
I want a referral and a proper test! I'm not using the little man as a lab rat to "see what happens!" Thankfully I took photos so have evidence. I get the feeling it's all about money. The GP is waiting to see if I pursue it or if I give up. He obviously doesn't know me very well!!!!!!
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Where's my Mama!
He refused the bottle!!! I got 6oz of expressed milk in total and trotted off to work happily! Hubby turned up 30 mins after feed looking exhausted and stressed with a fast asleep little man who had apparently been crying on and off since I left. Overtired, wouldn't settle, wouldn't take bottle of expressed milk at feed time. Little monkey!! Full feed from Mama and off they went and had a very enjoyable morning in the sunshine with a happy little man and a happy Daddy! Mama was done before next feed and we had a lovely afternoon too. Now to tackle the problem of not taking the expressed milk...........
It was heartbreaking pouring all that expressed milk down the sink!
It was heartbreaking pouring all that expressed milk down the sink!
Sunday 6 March 2011
Typical man ...... only interested in the boob!
Returning to work tomorrow morning for the first time since October and my husband is looking after our son. A couple of issues:
1) What the hell am I going to wear??????? Needs to be professional, smart, clean (no baby spew or dribble) but overall slimming!!
2) I may be a tad nervous about leaving our son. Even with his Father.... I've done it twice before and it was fine. Think I'm nervous about number 4 (see below)!
3) Baby brain + work = What ???????
4) Son has been taking expressed milk occasionally from a bottle since 3 weeks old. We decided after 17 weeks exclusively breastfeeding to introduce the occasional bottle of formula for flexibility and also because I don't really get much expressing. Took along time to get over guilt and decide to do it and we finally tried yesterday. He refused! Tried again. Refused. Today he decides to refuse it again..... twice. Sh*t! What to do???
Decided to emergency express. Amazingly got 4oz this afternoon but only another oz tonight. Not enough for a feed. Will have to get up early and express. Again! :(
So the plan .... Wake up ..... feed son ...... eat + express (at same time) .... shower...... dress..... top son up ......... leave ........ Be at work by 9?!?!? Hmmmmmm i'll be up at dawn!
All this for a few hours in work! Not even a hair cut / colour (DESPERATELY needed!) or a shopping trip (need properly fitting clothes)... or a wax (I won't even give you those details!) or anything fun!
Will let you know what happens tomorrow with work / bottle / leaving son situation!
Wish me luck!
1) What the hell am I going to wear??????? Needs to be professional, smart, clean (no baby spew or dribble) but overall slimming!!
2) I may be a tad nervous about leaving our son. Even with his Father.... I've done it twice before and it was fine. Think I'm nervous about number 4 (see below)!
3) Baby brain + work = What ???????
4) Son has been taking expressed milk occasionally from a bottle since 3 weeks old. We decided after 17 weeks exclusively breastfeeding to introduce the occasional bottle of formula for flexibility and also because I don't really get much expressing. Took along time to get over guilt and decide to do it and we finally tried yesterday. He refused! Tried again. Refused. Today he decides to refuse it again..... twice. Sh*t! What to do???
Decided to emergency express. Amazingly got 4oz this afternoon but only another oz tonight. Not enough for a feed. Will have to get up early and express. Again! :(
So the plan .... Wake up ..... feed son ...... eat + express (at same time) .... shower...... dress..... top son up ......... leave ........ Be at work by 9?!?!? Hmmmmmm i'll be up at dawn!
All this for a few hours in work! Not even a hair cut / colour (DESPERATELY needed!) or a shopping trip (need properly fitting clothes)... or a wax (I won't even give you those details!) or anything fun!
Will let you know what happens tomorrow with work / bottle / leaving son situation!
Wish me luck!
What I have learnt so far ......
1. Breast feeding is so convenient and always on tap and what they don't tell you is it's an instant soother. Fussy baby in an inconvenient place - boob (you say to yourself; this is a terrible habit but it is always there just in case and you use it!).
It also puts baby to sleep. No dancing around the nursery. Over tired? Boob is almost guaranteed to knock them out. Brilliant.
(nb - expressing is a right faf and a complete pain! You feel like a cow being milked, it can take ages (even with Electric) and makes the most awful noise.) Your partner will never see you in the same light again (see number 11).
2. When the nappy starts leaking (all up their back .... front ....hair) it's time for the next size up.
3. It takes hours to leave the house initally... accept it and keep changing bag packed! The fact you are out at all is the most important thing.
4. For the first month your dinners will go cold and you'll find cold cups of tea everywhere.
5. Baby brain is real. Last week I put the oven chips back in the fridge.
6. You become virtually invisible. All anyone is interested in is the baby. Make the most of the attention (and free time) while you are pregnant!
7.Get out there, make friends, post on websites, join the NCT, go to an under one's group and meet other new mums. They will be your best friends and are the only friends you have who you can talk to about babies without seeing them glaze over.
8. Guilt is part of the course. Guild over feeding, time, attention, returning to work, illness etc. The list is endless.
9. You will be able to get showered, dressed, a smudge of makeup on and hair done (up .... inevitably!) in record time. Straightners! Pah! Shove them under the bed for awhile! The dishevelled pony tail is in!
10. It's ok to go to the Doctors about every rash, cough, unusual mark. They expect it from new, first time Mums and will not think you are a "nutter".
11. Sex. The first time after a giving birth is like being a virgin again, all "oh be careful", "slowly" and then relief when it's over, out the way and no longer hanging over you! (Tip - KY Jelly - for peace of mind).
Oh and if the stretch marks, flabby belly, nervousness etc wasn't enough apparently when you orgasm you can also leak breast milk. Great! They don't tell you that in the books! Hasn't happened ......yet! Will keep you posted!
TBC!
It also puts baby to sleep. No dancing around the nursery. Over tired? Boob is almost guaranteed to knock them out. Brilliant.
(nb - expressing is a right faf and a complete pain! You feel like a cow being milked, it can take ages (even with Electric) and makes the most awful noise.) Your partner will never see you in the same light again (see number 11).
2. When the nappy starts leaking (all up their back .... front ....hair) it's time for the next size up.
3. It takes hours to leave the house initally... accept it and keep changing bag packed! The fact you are out at all is the most important thing.
4. For the first month your dinners will go cold and you'll find cold cups of tea everywhere.
5. Baby brain is real. Last week I put the oven chips back in the fridge.
6. You become virtually invisible. All anyone is interested in is the baby. Make the most of the attention (and free time) while you are pregnant!
7.Get out there, make friends, post on websites, join the NCT, go to an under one's group and meet other new mums. They will be your best friends and are the only friends you have who you can talk to about babies without seeing them glaze over.
8. Guilt is part of the course. Guild over feeding, time, attention, returning to work, illness etc. The list is endless.
9. You will be able to get showered, dressed, a smudge of makeup on and hair done (up .... inevitably!) in record time. Straightners! Pah! Shove them under the bed for awhile! The dishevelled pony tail is in!
10. It's ok to go to the Doctors about every rash, cough, unusual mark. They expect it from new, first time Mums and will not think you are a "nutter".
11. Sex. The first time after a giving birth is like being a virgin again, all "oh be careful", "slowly" and then relief when it's over, out the way and no longer hanging over you! (Tip - KY Jelly - for peace of mind).
Oh and if the stretch marks, flabby belly, nervousness etc wasn't enough apparently when you orgasm you can also leak breast milk. Great! They don't tell you that in the books! Hasn't happened ......yet! Will keep you posted!
TBC!
Saturday 5 March 2011
The new Mother
Ok, so my little one is now 16 weeks. I've finally emerged from the initial fog and haze where days and nights merge together and all sense of normality appears lost. Forever. A sense of normality does return, it is however an altered norm, where, among other new things, your conversations become filled with chat about nappies, poo, all things baby and that golden nugget... sleep!
Even as I type I am nervously watching the baby listener to make sure the green light isn't twitching........
I have found, as a new Mother you are no longer defined by your job / profession / work. You have a new job. An exciting, interesting, rewarding and fulfilling job (eventually!) but early days (well any days) can be long, hard and frustrating. Just when you think you've got it sussed (you feel proud and even smug that your baby appears to be settling into a routine or sleeping through) the little lovely throws a curve ball and knocks all your efforts out of the water. Back to the drawing board you go.......
Even as I type I am nervously watching the baby listener to make sure the green light isn't twitching........
I have found, as a new Mother you are no longer defined by your job / profession / work. You have a new job. An exciting, interesting, rewarding and fulfilling job (eventually!) but early days (well any days) can be long, hard and frustrating. Just when you think you've got it sussed (you feel proud and even smug that your baby appears to be settling into a routine or sleeping through) the little lovely throws a curve ball and knocks all your efforts out of the water. Back to the drawing board you go.......
and so it begins .....
I recently had my first child and the blog title says it all I'm muddling through + finding my way!
I will use this blog to share my experiences as a Mum (highs and lows) muddling through Motherhood, maternity leave, work, family, life, love and everything in between.
I will be brutally honest about my experiences and what new motherhood brings.... Hopefully you will enjoy the adventure and maybe learn from my mistakes!!!
I will use this blog to share my experiences as a Mum (highs and lows) muddling through Motherhood, maternity leave, work, family, life, love and everything in between.
I will be brutally honest about my experiences and what new motherhood brings.... Hopefully you will enjoy the adventure and maybe learn from my mistakes!!!
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