August 2015

Haha - thanks Simone,
I'll find out about the laser and also the infra red lights.. first time I even hear of this.. (see I am very un-informed, haha)

Thanks StellaK, it really helps getting someone else's perspective, I have a lot to consider
Prenessa - I'm now in my 16th week and also only gained about 2 kg although it feels like i'm eating all day.. as Stella mentioned, as long as you feel healthy and eat enough I think you and baby will be fine.

StellaK I just used the infrared lamps that I hired from a midwife and that worked like a bomb! After 2 days and my nipples were never sore again And you can do it in the privacy of your home. Not sure how it compares to the laser though.

I was cautious about the clothing as myself and all siblings suffered with eczema. The green bar is what my mother used for us....he he

Prenessa....39kgs? Oh my word. So you were 37kgs when you fell pregnant?

I guess if you are gaining that's the important part. I am overweight and have only lost so far....7/8kgs, but my baby is growing fine...not sure if that helps.

Ctelly, yes I have a good support system. Mom and mil will bath baby for me (when dad isn't doing it, as that's usually his job...until today he baths our kids...he he) and make sure I eat, etc. My husband is very hands on as well. Praying his job won't take him away too much...as he wasn't doing this job with our first 2.

I take all the help I can get....but I remember with Addison, as she was my firstborn I got very emotional when the family steam rolled over me and wanted to do everything. Feed her, burp her. ONe day I just sobbed as I hadn't even held my child for like 6hrs!

BUt now with a number 3....oh no, they can hold for 10hrs....if it means I can sleep. ha ha

with daycare, maybe only take her 2 half days the week before you go back to work. starting daycare is much worse for mommy that for baby.

with grand parent, they change when they become grand parents. they can become very different people and they are going to want to be involved, and you are going to want their help in those first few weeks
with other guests i would say only let them come and visit after the first 2 or 3 weeks so you can just get used to the adjustments.

Prenessa, i dont think that should be cause for concern as lots of women do not pick up alot of weight. and most of your weight gain will be in the last 3 months. if baby is growing nicely then all is well.
just maybe see to it that you eat regularly, then it will be fine.

o Simone, i am so sorry that you have such a struggle with the vomiting. at least we are almost halfway (small consolation though)

Ctelly, glad you could get an earlier appointment.
to answer your questions, this was my experience:
1. i washed everything before hand. i used sunlight baby (the blue box) their skins are so extremely sensitive in the beginning, normal detergents might cause a rash. i know Elisabeth annes also has a washing liquid that apparently works well
2. rather leave the bottle and just BF. once they get used to the bottle they prefer it as breasfeeding is much harder work for them. a tip that i got was to start at 3 months and take one feed a day and give about 30ml out of a bottle. my lb drank from the bottle perfectly doing that, but the moment he got a full feed from a bottle when i started working he refused it. was about a month of drama and trying different bottles before we found the answer.

breastmilk can stay for 6-8 hours outside if not to hot and not in the sun. can be in the fridge for 2 days. in a door freezer for 3 months and in a box freezer for 6 months
also start expressing at about 2 months old so that your body gets used to the pump (it is very different as to a baby suckling) and then you also build up a supply)

join the La Lech group on facebook and be prepared as nurses in hospitals love to manipulate you into bottle feeding as it is convenient for them. if you have the correct information, you will be able to breastfeed, but also do not panic if it doesnt come naturally or easy. the first few days can be hard to get it right - we only got into the swing of things when he was about 2 weeks old.
www.facebook.com/groups/lalecheleaguesouthafrica/?fref=nf

and also get the information of a fisio close to you that do lasar therapy - if your nipples start to hurt, go for the lasar. i only found out about the lasar when he was 8 weeks old and by then my nipples was bleeding and extremely painfull - fisio saved me and now he is 11 months and i am still breastfeeding him

3. do not try to plan to much before hand. your baby will form its own routine and might not want your routine. newborns generally feed every 2 hours and over the first 8 weeks stretch that to about every 3 hours, and it should stay at 3 hours till they are todlers and alternating between milk and solids
then you get growth spurts when they feed every hour (first one is at 2 weeks and then 6 weeks). and only from about 6 weeks they tend to go longer between feeds at night. do not expect your baby to sleep through at 6 weeks (this is an absolute minority of babies)

Hi Ladies

Trust you all are well.
Sorry, been out of touch.
Was in DBN for work.
Thanks for all the great feedback.
For First time mummies like me this is great.
I am 18 weeks but only picked up 2 kgs so I am bit concerned.
I currently weigh 39kgs.

Is that ok.

Thanks for your comments Simone, I'll definitely keep it in mind and make notes. I'm thinking of letting baby go to day care for two days in the week a month before I go back to work. Obviously I’d like to spend a lot of time with him/her but I also want to make life easier when its back to work and getting into another routine. I’ll still decide on the best approach.
It’s great that you have such a good support system. the four grandparents of baby live close by but they are very busy with their daily tasks so I doubt that they will be very involved, on the other hand I’d like to bond with baby myself.. they can perhaps help with house chores, food etc..

Once again thanks for your comments – looking forward to hear others as well. And will definitely ask when I think of more questions.