Mastitis
Where have the past 2 weeks gone since my last post? I believe in a whirlwind of baby and toddler care with Al back at work. Throw into the mix a bout of mastitis that was really rather sore - imagine - red to look at and red hot to touch (not to mention the flu like symptoms of aching joints and a temperature) that required 2 days of expressing (I couldn't even wear a bra let a lone let a hungry mouth clamp on) for every feed as this hungry boy needs both sides each feed and there really doesn't leave a lot of time left to blog!
Any how I'm pleased to say that 48 hours after starting antibiotics things were much improved - not fully gone - but enough that I could feed Harris on both sides again - about time too - feeds were taking 2 hours and Murray was not impressed, plus the temp and achy joints had passed. Thank heavens for antibiotics!
Weight
Any way the wee man has clearly not suffered as I got him weighed yesterday and he is now 10lbs 4oz - wee porker - that works out as just over 1/2lb a week!
We are (fingers crossed) getting him to feed at about 7pm ish and he'll last any where between 2.30am and 4.30am (probably the reason for the mastitis as he dropped the 11pmish feed) so we are moving in the right direction. I will def be glad when he extends it as he takes a good hour to feed and burp on a good night (last night because he wouldn't settle was 2.5 hours).
The next thing to work on is getting him to self settle as it really takes him a long time to drop off. Last night I'd had enough of burping and soothing him and swaddled him and put him down and it took a good hour! Phew - not great at 4.30am. I'm trying to get him to do it during the day too, but he really fights it! That said he's asleep just now and as Murray is at nursery and I've done a tonne of chores this am I'm getting 5 mins to sit and type in peace - nice!
Walking
I even got for a decent walk with him the buggy this am - almost 3 miles and feel really good for it as it is a gorgeous crisp wintery day. I have my 6 week check up tomorrow so hopefully I'll be cleared to drive - yeah and cleared to go swimming. I've no idea how I'm going to get out to go swimming, but I'm sure I'll work it out!
Self Affirmations!
I do feel pretty proud of myself for being able to manage the mastitis and keep feeding and learning that he will take a bottle, but then it is such a different situation when your baby feeds well. Still giving myself little pats on the back none the less!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
4 Weeks and First Day With Al back at Work!
Harris is 4 weeks today.
Someone asked me today if it had gone fast and I replied - yes and no. Time takes on a different dimension with a newborn, especially when you've had a tummy bug and sore throat and your hubby has had a chest infection and your newborn has also had the cold, all while your toddler has also had a tummy bug, but then become v v well and high energy again!
The up side of Harris having the cold is that his ferocious feeding has settled down a bit as he has been v sleeepy. He's getting better now though and has had 2 v awake periods (while happy as opposed to crying) between 7.30am to 10am and 3.30pm - 5.30pm and still there has been bigger gaps between feeds, so perhaps the previous week was a mix of getting sick and growth spurt all in one.
The best thing that has happened the past 2 nights is that I have got a 4 hour block of sleep!!!!! Come on little man - keep extending those night time sleeps please!!!!!!
Today Al went back to work (luckily from home so it is a shorter day) and we have all survived! I managed to get us all out to toddlers almost on time despite Harris needing a feed just before we needed to leave, but then at least he slept for most of the time. In the afternoon, my friend and her toddler came for a play date which was great. Pretty proud of myself coping with a hungry Murray just as my friend was leaving all while Harris needed a long feed. Managed to read Murray 3 Thomas stories and encourage him to play with his musical toy, to keep him from getting into mischief. This also had the benefit of avoiding a repeat of his morning time intrigue of my boob, so was able to feed Harris without Murray prodding my breast at the same time LOL!
Harris has had 2 mat times and Murray has really enjoyed this time, giving Harris big cuddles (had to explain it may not be best to cuddle over his face as he needs to be able to breathe - ha ha) and shaking his toys for him to look at. I saw Harris really watching Murray today - so nice to have in house entertainment for him.
Here's some new photos:
Al's sister sent over some presents from America for the boys. Here is Murray drinking from his spaceman 'cup'!
Someone asked me today if it had gone fast and I replied - yes and no. Time takes on a different dimension with a newborn, especially when you've had a tummy bug and sore throat and your hubby has had a chest infection and your newborn has also had the cold, all while your toddler has also had a tummy bug, but then become v v well and high energy again!
The up side of Harris having the cold is that his ferocious feeding has settled down a bit as he has been v sleeepy. He's getting better now though and has had 2 v awake periods (while happy as opposed to crying) between 7.30am to 10am and 3.30pm - 5.30pm and still there has been bigger gaps between feeds, so perhaps the previous week was a mix of getting sick and growth spurt all in one.
The best thing that has happened the past 2 nights is that I have got a 4 hour block of sleep!!!!! Come on little man - keep extending those night time sleeps please!!!!!!
Today Al went back to work (luckily from home so it is a shorter day) and we have all survived! I managed to get us all out to toddlers almost on time despite Harris needing a feed just before we needed to leave, but then at least he slept for most of the time. In the afternoon, my friend and her toddler came for a play date which was great. Pretty proud of myself coping with a hungry Murray just as my friend was leaving all while Harris needed a long feed. Managed to read Murray 3 Thomas stories and encourage him to play with his musical toy, to keep him from getting into mischief. This also had the benefit of avoiding a repeat of his morning time intrigue of my boob, so was able to feed Harris without Murray prodding my breast at the same time LOL!
Harris has had 2 mat times and Murray has really enjoyed this time, giving Harris big cuddles (had to explain it may not be best to cuddle over his face as he needs to be able to breathe - ha ha) and shaking his toys for him to look at. I saw Harris really watching Murray today - so nice to have in house entertainment for him.
Here's some new photos:
Al's sister sent over some presents from America for the boys. Here is Murray drinking from his spaceman 'cup'!
It is so big, I have to lift it off the table for him to reach the straw!
See....
My 2 Gorgeous Boys!
Brother Sofa Time
"Hello, little brother"
Friday, November 9, 2012
Harris' 3 Week Weight
Harris was weighed yesterday at 3 weeks and 1 day and is now 8lbs 8oz. He gained 11oz in a week - no wonder I'm shattered! I genuinely feel like I'm being sucked away! We've transitioned from 1 to both breasts at every feed, so if he wants on really close together, it is tough going.
I must admit I am really looking fwd to getting more than 2 or sometimes 3 hours of kip at a time. Perhaps once we are fully established, Al can give him a bottle at night so I can get a longer sleep at some point. I am tired and I can only imagine how more tired I'm going to be once Al goes back to work and I have to cope with both boys on my own!
I am really looking fwd to wearing non maternity clothes or track pants. I'm quite swollen above my scar so can't wear normal trousers yet as it is too sore. The scar is healing well though so it'll happen in time.
I have fed Harris out and about 3 times now - can't say I'm terribly discrete, but it can only get better surely?
It has been a v tiring few days as apart from 1 block at night feeds have been 2 hours (from start of feed) apart or less, but today I've had 1 block of 3.5 and another of 2.5 hours and so have actually got a chance to rest.
Not wishing time away, but looking fwd to being able to get into an evening bedtime routine as I definitely miss my evenings.
Al is off Mon and Tues and then back to work on Wed - yikes! We've got Toddlers in the village in the am and a friend is visiting in the pm. On the Thursday I've already lined up meeting with friends in the village in the am and hopefully my dad can visit in the pm and then mum's coming to help out on Friday and then it will just be another 12 days until I can drive and hopefully get back to swimming and a bit more of normal life.
I must admit I am really looking fwd to getting more than 2 or sometimes 3 hours of kip at a time. Perhaps once we are fully established, Al can give him a bottle at night so I can get a longer sleep at some point. I am tired and I can only imagine how more tired I'm going to be once Al goes back to work and I have to cope with both boys on my own!
I am really looking fwd to wearing non maternity clothes or track pants. I'm quite swollen above my scar so can't wear normal trousers yet as it is too sore. The scar is healing well though so it'll happen in time.
I have fed Harris out and about 3 times now - can't say I'm terribly discrete, but it can only get better surely?
It has been a v tiring few days as apart from 1 block at night feeds have been 2 hours (from start of feed) apart or less, but today I've had 1 block of 3.5 and another of 2.5 hours and so have actually got a chance to rest.
Not wishing time away, but looking fwd to being able to get into an evening bedtime routine as I definitely miss my evenings.
Al is off Mon and Tues and then back to work on Wed - yikes! We've got Toddlers in the village in the am and a friend is visiting in the pm. On the Thursday I've already lined up meeting with friends in the village in the am and hopefully my dad can visit in the pm and then mum's coming to help out on Friday and then it will just be another 12 days until I can drive and hopefully get back to swimming and a bit more of normal life.
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