New baby and post birth advice #58 Where have all the dummies gone?!

[DiscoBiscuit]

Warning, poo talk!

Baby Skates has had the runs for about 5 days now, yesterday was a really bad day for him, every nappy change was just pure liquid poo. He was sick during the night, projectile and then pooed in the bath

he’s now refusing food, milk and water and is generally lethargic. He’s 10 months old and has only had 2oz milk since 7pm yesterday.
Am I right to get him to the doctors if I can? I always panic that they’ll think I’m just a fussy mum and they won’t take us seriously.

If he won't even take in water then definitely ring them. If they're unhelpful, I'd ring 111.

 

[Pontiac_Bandit]

Hi all,
I’m 4 months 3 days postpartum, and in the last few days my scar is killing me(emergency C-section). I’m 3 days into my cycle. Last night I noticed a smell and when I had a look, seen a light yellow discharge coming from the middle.. I still get mild cramps and what I can only describe as an electric shock going across the wound but the pain is bearable and nothing like what it was in the first 2 months (I suffered terrible!)
I know everyone is going to rush me to the gp but I don’t drive, find it hard to get a babysitter and the double pram is a nightmare going anywhere on my own.
I’ll 100% be going to the gp but it’ll be at least a week before I get an appointment, so if anyone has any tips or advice to tie me over for a few days I’d greatly appreciate it

Are you in the UK? If so you can call 111 for advice/assessment, they can either rush a GP appointment for you or assess over the phone and prescribe antibiotics etc if appropriate. They were great when I was worried I had an infection on my episiotomy scar and got me in with the GP within a couple of days. Hope you feel better soon

@Ro98 @WeHadFunRight thank you for the insight/advice! The appointment was amazing, I could honestly cry with happiness! The doctor was SO lovely and said I've done amazingly managing what he thinks is likely to be CMPA on my own (due to lack of GP support) - he agreed to prescribe a special CMPA formula, has given me a link to follow for advice about managing it and doing the milk ladder, and has referred him to a dietician who should be in touch in 2-4 weeks. He said I can go back for review within 6 months if I think there's more happening with him that the formula isn't resolving, and he gave baby b a cat sticker for his red book

I felt so validated and listened to, he didn't challenge me or question my opinion once, he just listened and then said "you've done so much research and know what you're talking about, the GP probably didn't see all the symptoms because you've done so well trying to treat them yourself, I'm sorry we didn't help you sooner"

Got the formula from the hospital pharmacy and will make a few bottles tonight ready for tomorrow - I'm ready to use dentinox to mask the smell/taste like I had to when I moved him to comfort formula

 

[cmcdb]

Are you in the UK? If so you can call 111 for advice/assessment, they can either rush a GP appointment for you or assess over the phone and prescribe antibiotics etc if appropriate. They were great when I was worried I had an infection on my episiotomy scar and got me in with the GP within a couple of days. Hope you feel better soon

@Ro98 @WeHadFunRight thank you for the insight/advice! The appointment was amazing, I could honestly cry with happiness! The doctor was SO lovely and said I've done amazingly managing what he thinks is likely to be CMPA on my own (due to lack of GP support) - he agreed to prescribe a special CMPA formula, has given me a link to follow for advice about managing it and doing the milk ladder, and has referred him to a dietician who should be in touch in 2-4 weeks. He said I can go back for review within 6 months if I think there's more happening with him that the formula isn't resolving, and he gave baby b a cat sticker for his red book

I felt so validated and listened to, he didn't challenge me or question my opinion once, he just listened and then said "you've done so much research and know what you're talking about, the GP probably didn't see all the symptoms because you've done so well trying to treat them yourself, I'm sorry we didn't help you sooner"

Got the formula from the hospital pharmacy and will make a few bottles tonight ready for tomorrow - I'm ready to use dentinox to mask the smell/taste like I had to when I moved him to comfort formula

I’m in Ireland but thank you

 

[opintionatedperson]

I’m in Ireland but thank you

Id chance your arm and ring the maternity hospital, I know they say 6 weeks pp. But it's worth a shot ..

I had an issue with mastitis and my gp did an emergency appointment asap when i said what it was .

 

[Pontiac_Bandit]

I’m in Ireland but thank you

Oh sorry! A few people here have had scar issues so hopefully someone can advise how to help - I seem to remember that airing it when you can is a huge help, and putting some sort of soft absorbent fabric between your scar and stomach so it doesn't rub helps too. The doctor I saw about my episiotomy scar recommended a thin layer of vaseline on the affected area to prevent more pulling/rubbing and to moisturise it but not sure if that'd be the same for a slightly seepy c section scar?

 

[WeHadFunRight]

Are you in the UK? If so you can call 111 for advice/assessment, they can either rush a GP appointment for you or assess over the phone and prescribe antibiotics etc if appropriate. They were great when I was worried I had an infection on my episiotomy scar and got me in with the GP within a couple of days. Hope you feel better soon

@Ro98 @WeHadFunRight thank you for the insight/advice! The appointment was amazing, I could honestly cry with happiness! The doctor was SO lovely and said I've done amazingly managing what he thinks is likely to be CMPA on my own (due to lack of GP support) - he agreed to prescribe a special CMPA formula, has given me a link to follow for advice about managing it and doing the milk ladder, and has referred him to a dietician who should be in touch in 2-4 weeks. He said I can go back for review within 6 months if I think there's more happening with him that the formula isn't resolving, and he gave baby b a cat sticker for his red book

I felt so validated and listened to, he didn't challenge me or question my opinion once, he just listened and then said "you've done so much research and know what you're talking about, the GP probably didn't see all the symptoms because you've done so well trying to treat them yourself, I'm sorry we didn't help you sooner"

Got the formula from the hospital pharmacy and will make a few bottles tonight ready for tomorrow - I'm ready to use dentinox to mask the smell/taste like I had to when I moved him to comfort formula

Ah I’m so pleased for you! And good for the specialist to be so empathetic to you.

what have you got?

 

[Pontiac_Bandit]

Ah I’m so pleased for you! And good for the specialist to be so empathetic to you.

what have you got?

Thank you Aptamil Pepti 2, he said there were different options but as baby b has been managing fairly well with his current comfort formula he thought this was a good starting point, and was hopeful he'll start to outgrow the allergy soon anyway. We'll give it a whirl for a while and hopefully get a dieticians appointment soon to discuss what he can/can't eat and take it from there!

 

[Onepotatotwopotato]

Hi all,
I’m 4 months 3 days postpartum, and in the last few days my scar is killing me(emergency C-section). I’m 3 days into my cycle. Last night I noticed a smell and when I had a look, seen a light yellow discharge coming from the middle.. I still get mild cramps and what I can only describe as an electric shock going across the wound but the pain is bearable and nothing like what it was in the first 2 months (I suffered terrible!)
I know everyone is going to rush me to the gp but I don’t drive, find it hard to get a babysitter and the double pram is a nightmare going anywhere on my own.
I’ll 100% be going to the gp but it’ll be at least a week before I get an appointment, so if anyone has any tips or advice to tie me over for a few days I’d greatly appreciate it

Whenever my scar feels bad I spray the shower on it and put sudocrem over any red bits, seems to help or at least protect it as it's a barrier cream

 

[fairylights2000]

Warning, poo talk!

Baby Skates has had the runs for about 5 days now, yesterday was a really bad day for him, every nappy change was just pure liquid poo. He was sick during the night, projectile and then pooed in the bath

he’s now refusing food, milk and water and is generally lethargic. He’s 10 months old and has only had 2oz milk since 7pm yesterday.
Am I right to get him to the doctors if I can? I always panic that they’ll think I’m just a fussy mum and they won’t take us seriously.

Hope baby skates is doing alright. I saw a great tip on here if you're struggling to get water into them try some in the Calpol syringe. Hope you've been able to see someone.

@Pontiac_Bandit glad the appointment went so well!

 

[WeepingCassandra]

@Pontiac_Bandit so glad to hear the appt went well. It's so, so refreshing when you feel validated and listened to isn't it! Fingers crossed this sorts little one for you.

 

[Pontiac_Bandit]

Thanks @WeepingCassandra and @fairylights2000! Decided to just do one bottle of new formula tomorrow as the advice online was to slowly transition across a week, so will hopefully start to slowly see improvement over the next few days and if not then bugger, I'm out of ideas

 

[loveanatter]

Thanks @WeepingCassandra and @fairylights2000! Decided to just do one bottle of new formula tomorrow as the advice online was to slowly transition across a week, so will hopefully start to slowly see improvement over the next few days and if not then bugger, I'm out of ideas

I’m so glad that you got a good response today hopefully it helps!
Hopefully it goes down ok, we had to put vanilla essence when we started with dairy free formula. It really is grim
Shout if you need any dairy free advice in general as I’ve had 3 with it! Xx

 

[Nosysamsie]

Oh my goodness. My baby is 1
I've been so emotional all day.
She's had a great day, had cake and played loads and has enjoyed her birthday balloons.

Thank you @Ro98 and @Pontiac_Bandit for your birthday wishes. And thank you to this thread for getting me through my first year of being a mum!

 

[Pontiac_Bandit]

I’m so glad that you got a good response today hopefully it helps!
Hopefully it goes down ok, we had to put vanilla essence when we started with dairy free formula. It really is grim
Shout if you need any dairy free advice in general as I’ve had 3 with it! Xx

Thank you so much! I've got a 22 page PDF to read but that can wait until another today, today has been draining enough will definitely ask if I'm stuck on anything though, your advice so far has been invaluable and well done you for getting your babies diagnosed and treated
---

Oh my goodness. My baby is 1
I've been so emotional all day.
She's had a great day, had cake and played loads and has enjoyed her birthday balloons.

Thank you @Ro98 and @Pontiac_Bandit for your birthday wishes. And thank you to this thread for getting me through my first year of being a mum!

Yay, so glad she enjoyed her day! You've done it, a whole year of being an amazing mum! Make sure you celebrate yourself tonight as well

 

[Fearne]

I'm getting myself all in a tizz. What do you do first with regards to a childminder or nursery and going back to work part time?

I was full time before I left for maternity, I'd like to return 2 days a week, which I was always quite open with my employer. Do you speak to work first to see what days you can do, or do I find a childminder and see what days they have availability and then hope your workplace is accommodating?

I think () our practice manager will let me be flexible with days but we had a new department manager 2 weeks before I left and I'm not quite sure what she's really like

 

[shhh1712]

I'm getting myself all in a tizz. What do you do first with regards to a childminder or nursery and going back to work part time?

I was full time before I left for maternity, I'd like to return 2 days a week, which I was always quite open with my employer. Do you speak to work first to see what days you can do, or do I find a childminder and see what days they have availability and then hope your workplace is accommodating?

I think () our practice manager will let me be flexible with days but we had a new department manager 2 weeks before I left and I'm not quite sure what she's really like

I would get it agreed with work first!

 

[Pontiac_Bandit]

I'm getting myself all in a tizz. What do you do first with regards to a childminder or nursery and going back to work part time?

I was full time before I left for maternity, I'd like to return 2 days a week, which I was always quite open with my employer. Do you speak to work first to see what days you can do, or do I find a childminder and see what days they have availability and then hope your workplace is accommodating?

I think () our practice manager will let me be flexible with days but we had a new department manager 2 weeks before I left and I'm not quite sure what she's really like

Could you float the idea informally with your practice manager to get a sense of which days you might be required to do or whether you've got options and then go from there? I was in the same position - I chatted to my manager and she said she was happy to go with whatever suited me/childcare best, so then when I visited the nursery we ended up choosing I checked their availability and then made a decision. If you've got childminders/nurseries you're interested in it couldn't hurt to give them a call/ping them an email and say "just out of interest, what sort of availability do you have?" and then that might help shape your informal chat with work - e.g. if there's only availability at the end of the week you can immediately say to work "I really want to come back but childcare is only available on Thursdays and Fridays, can we make that work" and then go from there. Basically start lots of small chats to scope your options before formalising anything!

 

[loveanatter]

I'm getting myself all in a tizz. What do you do first with regards to a childminder or nursery and going back to work part time?

I was full time before I left for maternity, I'd like to return 2 days a week, which I was always quite open with my employer. Do you speak to work first to see what days you can do, or do I find a childminder and see what days they have availability and then hope your workplace is accommodating?

I think () our practice manager will let me be flexible with days but we had a new department manager 2 weeks before I left and I'm not quite sure what she's really like

I would get a place that covers what you work now with whatever youre wanting for childcare.
Then talk to work, then as soon as you know, give the childcare the notice that you don’t need what you first said x

 

[WeepingCassandra]

I'm getting myself all in a tizz. What do you do first with regards to a childminder or nursery and going back to work part time?

I was full time before I left for maternity, I'd like to return 2 days a week, which I was always quite open with my employer. Do you speak to work first to see what days you can do, or do I find a childminder and see what days they have availability and then hope your workplace is accommodating?

I think () our practice manager will let me be flexible with days but we had a new department manager 2 weeks before I left and I'm not quite sure what she's really like

You need to submit a flexible working request to work (in writing) detailing what you want and why. They don't have to accept this but do have to give you reasons for why they can't and they have to be reasonable, not like "we just don't want to". If they accept it but it's not suitable for you to do your previous role (this has happened to me) they have to give you an equivalent job and pay grade.

Depends on how bad nursery places are in your area, in ours there are nurseries that have 2 year (!!!) waiting lists for the baby room. Because of that we secured childcare before I even spoke to work.

 

[opintionatedperson]

Celebrating a win, breastfeeding has been hard for me, I have hit a lot of stumbling blocks. Two weeks ago we went to the osteopath as I thought he had tongue tie as a public health nurse told me and that was the reason I struggled with latching and used nipple shields.
Went to the osteopath and he told me nothing was wrong ,it was more a confidence thing on my side. So the past two weeks I've successfully got him to latch on one side but not the other as I have a milk cyst on the left... Last night I tried again and he did it and we were able to get a good feed without use of the nipple shield.

It has taken 11 weeks of pure determination and stubbornness. We got there and I'm very proud of me and baby now I want to wean I have it mastered lol