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lemondrops

lemondrops
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Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 13:30
Hey LD. Good news on the quick eating! I remember being super excited when DD took 20 mins to finish her bottle as opposed to the usual 40 min to 1 hr. The quanity I offered DD rapidly increased from 60 mL (when we brough her home) to 100 mL then 120 mL of EBM. She stayed at 120 mL per feed for the LONGEST time and now just about has 150mL of formula at her last feed at night. I also recommend pumping only once at night because I had a HUGE supply issue (too much milk) and ended up throwing a whole bunch out as apparently it does not last more than 6 months in the deep freeze. I also had too much lipase in my milk which made giving her defrosted milk a little tough (more on me than on her... she did not mind the disgusting taste). Thanks KC. It's really confusing sometimes because in some ways DD is a 2 week old baby and in others she's a 2.5 month old baby. Her feeding pattern is definitely that of a 2.5 month old. I'm assuming that you're also following a three hourly schedule? I hear you about the over supply... I'm actually considering buying a deep freezer just for the EBM!! Now that your DD is one year old, how long do you plan to keep pumping?
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Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 13:21
I loved the video link. As for the article, ask me again in a few weeks... will be a SAHM and I am sure the job I hate so much right now will become a job I loved and left! I think what emerged out of both is that we do put a lot of pressure on ourself to say we LOVE being parents and love everything that goes with it (incl. bfing, spending all day with LO, activities, stimulating them - sometimes I just want to lie in bed and watch trashy TV). But I do hope there is a middle ground that I can find between being all Mummy and myself (frankly dont know who that is between crappy work and being mum). My main worry is loneliness as all the people I interact with are from work and I dont have too many friends outside of work. I hope it does not become a relationship killer as DH is worried that I will drive him demented being at home. I worked part time with DD1 and I think it was the best of both worlds. But with DD2 I've also decided to be a SAHM because she definitely needs me more than DD1 did. You're actually in a really good point of DD's development to stay at home with her, for one because you don't have to be housebound all the time. When DD was that age, I was busy taking her from one activity/play date to the other. It was a great opportunity for both DD and I to socialise. I actually loved those days and can't wait for DD2 to grow up so we're not so home bound anymore.
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Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 10:29
Thanks for the feedback Gogi and Leshell. DD is doing much better with her feeds thankfully. They can still sometimes take an hour but most times now she's done in 40 minutes and sometimes as much as 20 minutes depending on how much she wants to have. So there has been some respite there. Unfortunately, she still does not want to breastfeed directly from me, but I am slowly learning to accept that and move on. Leshell, when did your LO start having 800 to 1,000 ml of milk per day? As early as two weeks? I am now worried that I might be giving her too much. She seemed really uncomfortable yesterday with 125mL per feed, so I've dropped it to 100mL today. Like you, I do not want her to starve, but I just compared DD2's weight gain trends to that of her older sister and DD2 weighs at least 700 grams more than her older sister at the same adjusted age. Also how is your pumping schedule coming along? I'm still pumping every three hours during the day and every 4 to five hours at night, but I think I need to cut out a session as I'm making too much milk and I have no place left in the freezer!
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Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 11:59
Try emirates home nursing Tel: +971 4 396 3137
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Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 11:42
There's a bug currently doing the rounds that has those same symptoms. High fever for 5 to 7 days. I caught it first then DD and DH. Highly contagious. Antibiotics don't help as it's viral. Can't really do much other than make yourselves as comfortable as possible... if the fever doesn't subside by 7 days I would revisit your doctor then. <em>edited by lemondrops on 02/02/2011</em>
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Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 10:07
sorry? This was a thread raised by Izzy, which you basically hijacked by "poaching" a job opportunity that was offered to her before you gave her a chance to either accept it or decline it.
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Latest post on 31 January 2011 - 08:26
Bumping for Izzy
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Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 21:17
Thankyou ladies for your comments!! Lemon drops....are you referring to the SBCU? neo natal care facilities? They charge for it now? It used to be free!! its wonderful care for sure and worth the price but this is news! Thanks for the info. My daughter used the SBCU for 33 days 4 yrs ago! IMagine my bills!!! OMG! Yes, the SBCU is now called the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and now they charge for it.
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Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 21:10
Sounds like she going through another growth spurt and it's common for babies not to poo for a few days - up to a week even during then. It seems their digestive systems during this time become super efficient and absorb every last nutrient out of their milk and as such pooing slows down. As you say she seems to be fine i.e. tummy not hard, lots of wet nappies, I wouldn't worry too much. Just be prepared for a massive explosion any day now!
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Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 21:05
Paris6, i have an arabic/english/french EA looking - could you post your email and i can let you know when i've got it. i'm currently 'live' so will get it immediately - if you don't mind? thank you How rude! :\: <em>edited by lemondrops on 31/01/2011</em>
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Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 15:18
I think that after Al Wasl raised their prices, waiting times for appointments have gone down drastically. I never had to wait more than 10 to 20 minutes for all my appointments at the clinic or hospital. With regards to the actual delivery, I must admit although I found the medical care excellent, I also thought the bedside manner has much to be desired. I personally think the delivery wards are understaffed and as such you don't get as much attention as you would in a private hospital. However, there are some real angels over there, who will go over and beyond their call of duty. Also FYI, for those considering Al Wasl for it's NICU capability, please do note that from October last year, they've implemented a new pricing system. One night's stay at the NICU will now cost anywhere between 2200 and 3900 depending on the level care.
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Latest post on 30 January 2011 - 15:11
Have another baby? ;)
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Latest post on 27 January 2011 - 02:34
Don't wish to beat a dead horse, but just came across this article posted today: http://www.google.ae/search?hl=en&biw=1008&bih=541&defl=en&q=define:Beat+a+dead+horse&sa=X&ei=K3tATfimBYK38gPtwMz7BA&ved=0CBQQkAE Is this the right article greenqueen?
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Latest post on 25 January 2011 - 22:16
Don't forget that the three of them were probably in it together to get more ratings. For the Oprah show or for the new octomum reality show?? I think Oprah and Suze did it on purpose to try and garner some sympathy for the woman in anticipation of her launching a reality TV show.... :\: She's planning her own show? That was the point of the Oprah show.... Ocotmom started out by saying she was financially destitute but didn't want to put her kids in a reality show... brought in suze to help with the finances who told her to get an agent and get a show because, as suze put it, exploiting your kids on TV is better than them being hungry and homeless. So there is obviously a reality tv show in the works and this Oprah episode was designed to garner some sympathy for her before it's launched.
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Latest post on 25 January 2011 - 22:09
Don't forget that the three of them were probably in it together to get more ratings. For the Oprah show or for the new octomum reality show?? I think Oprah and Suze did it on purpose to try and garner some sympathy for the woman in anticipation of her launching a reality TV show.... :\:
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Latest post on 24 January 2011 - 19:44
AnonDubai, I just want to let you know you are not alone. Many a night I have wondered whether I could enforce a return policy on my two... and I love them to bits. What you're feeling is completely normal and understandable considering the circumstances.
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Latest post on 23 January 2011 - 19:11
I've heard there is a really good pediatric urologist at Al Wasl Hospital, unfortunately I don't know his name. However if you make an appointment there maybe you can ask to be referred to the pediatric urologist during the initial consult?
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Latest post on 22 January 2011 - 22:15
I wish I had two maids. I have the one who looks after DD1 whilst I look after DD2. DD2 was born 2 months prematurely and is her care is proving to be quite difficult for me. If I could afford one and had the space for another, I would hire another one in a heart beat to help me in the evenings. The way I see it, I don't get a medal for doing it all by myself and I would rather spend my time doing the things I enjoy with my children. <em>edited by lemondrops on 22/01/2011</em>
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Latest post on 22 January 2011 - 11:25
When we were in NICU they were calculating feed volume like this... 180ml/kg/day. So for your LO would work at at... 180 X 3.25(kg) / 8(feeds in a day) = 73ml each feed. Obviously some feeds she will take more, sometimes less... HTH So I'm in line with the amount of milk per feed, but is it normal for the feed to take an hour???
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Latest post on 22 January 2011 - 11:23
Meals, does this mean that one hour feeding schedules are the norm for infants of that age? I don't recall how it was for DD1, plus it was entirely different as she was exclusively breastfed, so I never really worried about how much she was having or when. She pretty much fed on demand and gained quite well in the first couple of the months.... From my understanding - their little tummy's are so tiny, they don't have massive amounts of energy and it takes them a while to get it all in! However, I saw the hospital recommended pediatrician last week who recommended that I shouldn't be letting J suck in the breast for more than 30 mins as it was going to use more energy past this point than he would gain through volume taken after this point. Now that you're finally at J's "birth date" I guess you're back to the beginning with a brand new new-born. My previous two LO's took a long time to feed too (exclusively bf) and I was told by the midwives and SCU nurses at home in OZ that anything past 1 hour was sucking for comfort... These LO's are testing us that's for sure!!! I would think J would get quicker soon... I hope so (cause I nearly dozed off twice last night during feeds!) but I just don't know!!! (I'm sorry... that's no help at all). I didn't mind when DD1 took over an hour to feed in the early days as she too was exclusively breastfed, so we ended up just doing loads of co sleeping - which meant she fed while I caught up on some sleep. It's an entirely different experience with J on account of the bottle feeding and pumping. A nurse from Emirates Nursing Home did show up last night thankfully. So she took care of the feeds while I just got up to pump. Getting a somewhat decent night's sleep makes all the difference though, I feel half alive. If Emirates Home Nursing are a bit more reliable with their services going forward, I'll just stick with them. The nurses there are excellent, but it's just the last minute cancellations that are annoying, particularly when I've factored their night shift on how I go about my daily routine.
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Latest post on 22 January 2011 - 11:17
Anon, unfortunately I already have a maid and she already helps me during the day with the house and primarily looking after DD1 whilst I focus on DD2 whose care is proving to be quite time intensive. I don't think I can give my maid more responsibility on top of what she has already and I don't think I would trust her looking after DD2 considering she was born so prematurely, so I'd rather go with a maternity nurse. [quote'> How about hiring a second maid? Al Ahliya - 04 221 5521 www.alahliya.ae This company supplies nursemaids. edited by AnonDubai on 22/01/2011 Thanks will look into this but don't know if I can sponsor a second maid. But must be a good option surely.
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Latest post on 22 January 2011 - 11:16
The concern that the abdominal muscles may not have joined back together is normally valid for a vaginal delivery not a c section as these muscles are stitched back together in the surgery. 6 months is more than enough time for you to get back to abdominal exercises, although I agree with Hello Kitty that the best exercises to get a flat tummy are core exercises which strengthen the back, abdomen and pelvis. These exercises include reverse crunches, the plank, the bridge, the superman, bank extensions, etc. Abdominal crunches are considered core exercises but their impact is limited to a few sets of muscles in the abdomen. To get the best results it's important to mix them with other core exercises. HTH
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Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 22:22
Anon, unfortunately I already have a maid and she already helps me during the day with the house and primarily looking after DD1 whilst I focus on DD2 whose care is proving to be quite time intensive. I don't think I can give my maid more responsibility on top of what she has already and I don't think I would trust her looking after DD2 considering she was born so prematurely, so I'd rather go with a maternity nurse. Meals, does this mean that one hour feeding schedules are the norm for infants of that age? I don't recall how it was for DD1, plus it was entirely different as she was exclusively breastfed, so I never really worried about how much she was having or when. She pretty much fed on demand and gained quite well in the first couple of the months....
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Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 19:53
LD, don't think there is an exact answer. My DD is 1 month she drinks anything from 100ml to 180ml a feed around 3-3 1/2 feeds and can take anything up to 1 1/2, and sometimes 2 hours (ekk). I figure she stops when she has had enough and certainly likes to let us know when she is hungry, we are doing demand feeding and that is working for us all. She is nearly 4k's, but was drinking quite a bit around 2-3 wk mark. My view is as long as DD is content and healthy and putting on weight all is fine. All the best I don't know if I understood this properly, it takes you an hour and a half, even two hours to finish a feed?
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Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 17:46
http://www.facebook.com/cecileds Is it this lady? Would she be able to help DS transfer from crib to own bed and own room? Yes that's her. and yes she'll be able to guide you as to the best way to accomplish that, but the bulk of the work will still fall on you.
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Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 17:45
DD is 2 months chronological and 0 weeks adjusted i.e. she's technically a newborn. She weighs 3.25 kg and I'm currently giving her 100mL feeds every three hours, of which she takes about 70 to 90 mL. But it's not uncommon for the feed to last an hour. She is either a very lazy feeder or I'm giving her too much. So I suppose my question is, is how much milk do you give your LO's during the first month, i.e. newborn until 4 to 6 weeks of age, and how long does it take them to finish a feed?
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Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 17:32
It might be worth flying one over from the UK? I really feel for you, sleep deprivation is tortuous. Why is it taking so long to feed? what do you wan the nurse for precisely? others may be able to help? DD is a very lazy, very slow feeder so it's not uncommon for her feeds to last the hour. However, I suppose I should check whether I'm feeding her too much. As I am feeding her only EBM, I need to pump after her feeds so that takes up another half hour. As for a British maternity nurse, can you do that, esp. as I would need one for only a couple of months? What are the sponsorship rules for this?
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Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 14:01
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss forever21. Your little one was just too good for this world. I'm sure your little angel is up there in the heavens smiling at you. Take care of yourself and give yourself time to grieve. My thoughts and prayers are with you. xxx
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Latest post on 21 January 2011 - 08:17
LD this was the service recommended when people were asking at CH NICU... http://www.emirateshomenursing.ae/ HTH :) BTW You ok? How did the change in teet go? What teet did you choose to switch to? xx Meals I've already tried them and they're extremely unreliable. They've bailed out out on me way too many times right in the last minute i.e. right before a nurse was supposed to show up I get a call telling me that they can't because of scheduling conflicts/she's sick/she doesn't answer the phone, etc. Either they're grossly understaffed or they don't value my business. Either way, I'd like to find a more consistent alternative because this sleep deprivation is finally getting to me! Because of my feeding pumping schedule and DD's 3 hourly routine, I can only manage to get one to one and a half hours sleep every three hours. DD is still a lazy feeder so I've decided to postpone the teat change until she hits 3.5 kg and then I might potentially even drop a night feed... but till then I need some sleep!
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Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 18:50
That may have been me posting that thread over a year ago. Based on the recommendations we bought a Kiddy Infinity Pro for travelling and are very happy with it. The only drawback is that the seat and the harness/support come in two separate parts so you need to wrap the two parts in cellophane at the airport, so you don't lose the smaller harness/support part. Not a problem as all airports I'd been to offer that service. I must admit that DD doesn't enjoy sitting in this car seat as much as she does in her regular car seat. But for a travel car seat it serves its purpose well - very light and so far durable. I'm attaching the threads related to this for reference. http://www.expatwoman.com/abudhabi/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=106014 http://www.expatwoman.com/abudhabi/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=81606 http://www.expatwoman.com/abudhabi/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=81623
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Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 15:03
Of course it's possible but I would say with the AED 5K now required to register at Al Wasl it may have become financially prohibitive for some to keep two sets of appointments. Given the 5K includes all scans and appointments from week 16 onwards I for one saw a private OBGYN until I was eligible for the Al Wasl package and then just switched to that.
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Latest post on 18 January 2011 - 13:40
I had to do this for DD at 1.5 months. Swtich from mini hospital teat to avent regular bottles and also introduced a little bit of breastfeed too...as i was hoping she would latch on- i tried and tried to help her to latch on- it took 3 months of peseverence and she finally started nursing at 4-1/2 months but by then my milk production was already low and it didnt fill her up. I used to BF her first and then once i found i was drained on both sides ( which was very quick) i substituted it with the formula. All In All it was a lot easier for her to accept the bigger teat that than breast feed.But eventually she did both! They usually take a day or two and when they are hungry their instincts help them to figure out how to adjust to the new teat. We often dont give our little preemies the credit they deserve!! They are little fighters!! Your lil one will surprise you....! Thanks for your post gogi! I'm still holding out that I may be able to breastfeed DD who is almost 2 months old now (39 weeks gestation corrected). This gives me hope that some day down the line that will happen. Other than that though she's a very lazy feeder even with the hospital teat so I'm worried she won't take to the extra work of a regular teat. The last time we tried to switch her over was when she was just discharged from hospital and it went horribly wrong - so wrong actually that I had to readmit her back into hospital again as she was on the verge of getting dehydrated. A few days in hospital and going back to the hospital teats set things right again but due to this I am now really nervous to try to switch her onto regular teats even though she's progressed in strides since then....
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 23:43
Still thinking about you forever21. Hopefully your condition has been stablised and you and your LO are doing well. My thoughts and prayers are with you. xxx
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 22:22
You're doing such a wonderful job nurturing your little one, Lemondrops. A lot of the things you are doing to encourage breastfeeding (s2s, co-sleeping, have you tried co-bathing?) are hugely beneficial for babe even if breastfeeding does not result. Feeding method does not define the kind of parent you are, and it is very clear that you are truly devoted to both your little ones and they will know this :) I'm ducking out of the forum now, but will be popping in from time to time to see if you have posted an update. Or if you would like, you could e-mail me on khoury at null dot net as I would really love to hear how you and Jumana are getting on. xx edited by BFC on 17/01/2011 Thank you so much for your post BFC. It's sometimes hard to see beyond where I feel I've failed DD, but I am trying very hard to learn to adapt and manage my expectations. Today was a good day though, feeds were relatively quick and I made sure to hold her as if I was BFing her during and really enjoyed looking into her beautiful eyes - she was so alert today during her feeds and it felt wonderful to be able to relate to her. I did try to BF later this evening but after one minute of sucking, she decided she'd had enough and wouldn't latch on again. Who knows though, maybe she'll change her mind later, but then again, maybe she won't. Either way, I'll keep you updated. I do need to thank you for all your support and advice. I do know I wouldn't have managed to exclusively feed her breastmilk if it weren't for your support and wisdom. xxx
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 22:11
I salute you, lady! ... and yes, there does seem to be a propensity amongst medical staff to dismiss breastfeeding. Ask your Dr if he's using the WHO weight gain charts based on breastfeeding babies? Here's a [url=http://www.rcpch.ac.uk/Research/UK-WHO-Growth-Charts'>link[/url'> to them... might be worth printing them off! Thanks HK :) According to the charts he's in about the same percentile that he was when he was born (according to birth weight) - nothing wrong with that for his gestation by my thought processes... Grrrrrrrr!!! I'm sick of second-guessing myself and my choices! Same thing here meals. DD maintained the same growth curve that she was born with when we weighed her at the doctor's office, although it was a low percentile (I think 25% or even less), and the doctor was happy with that. He said that might as well be her potential and there's not much we can do to try to rush them beyond their potential. I believe the same applies to your LO.
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 20:39
Meals, what your paed said is ridiculous! Anything between 15 g and 30 g per day is within the recommended weight gain guidelines for preemies. This by the way is what I've been told by healthcare professionals at Al Wasl, by DD's paed as well as Cecile De Scaly (lactation consultant). 21 grams per day is within the upper range of that norm so is quite an achievement! Stick to what you're doing now... it's obviously working and bringing results. LD - THANK YOU!!! How can a pediatrician that I was referred to by the neonatologists at the hospital not be aware of the guidelines??? He has made me question myself all day (and I do enough of that already without someone else chipping in!)... It's difficult enough to feel comfortable that I'm doing the best for my LO without contradictory reports from Dr's who are supposed to know and advise accordingly. Meals, I assure you Jumana has managed to gain 30 grams per day or more on breast milk alone. It may have been EBM in a bottle, but trust me the volumes she used to drink in the early days at home were not much more than the top Jackson has of the low birth weight formula. In time once he's stronger and bigger he'll drink more and gain more. Also once your supply has stablised to his needs; he'll get a larger proportion of the creamier hind milk. Also, IMO then the first thing you need to do is find a team of healthcare professionals who are there to support your decision and make it work rather than second guess you all the time. Let me know if you would like to get the details of my DD's paed - he has been a tremendous support in getting me to continue what I'm doing, and he really does see beyond the growth charts.
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 20:16
Meals, you should also send BFC an email, in case she doesn't see this straight away - khoury at null dot net I've already posted on your other thread, but the lactation consultant I'm seeing as well as DD's paediatrician both recommended that I give DD breastmilk only- i.e. no formula at all, not even low birth weight formula. However I do add vitamin drops, iron and folic acid to her bottles of EBM. <em>edited by lemondrops on 17/01/2011</em>
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 20:12
Meals, what your paed said is ridiculous! Anything between 15 g and 30 g per day is within the recommended weight gain guidelines for preemies. This by the way is what I've been told by healthcare professionals at Al Wasl, by DD's paed as well as Cecile De Scaly (lactation consultant). 21 grams per day is within the upper range of that norm so is quite an achievement! Stick to what you're doing now... it's obviously working and bringing results.
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Latest post on 17 January 2011 - 14:37
Well, I waited until DD was two years old before I vaccinated her. I understand that Dr. Wakefield's study has been largely discredited; however recently some studies carried out independently of Wakefield's study have duplicated his findings that viral induced inflammatory disease in autistic children may be linked to the vaccine strain measles virus - which is what the Wakefield study concluded by the way. There have been various review studies of the link between the MMR vaccine and autism however the Dr. Sears Vaccine Book cites a white paper which states the "design and reporting of safety outcomes in MMR vaccine studies, both pre and post marketing are largely inadequate". FYI, the Dr. Sears Vaccine Book recommends an adjusted vaccine schedule where the mumps vaccine is given at 12 months, Rubella at two years and Measles at three years. A combined MMR vaccine is next given at 5 years.
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Latest post on 16 January 2011 - 17:30
Thanks for thinking about me BFC! Well I tried to go cold turkey on two separate nights as well as Saturday morning. I think the most I did was 9 hours at night, but during which DD didn't feed at all from the breast. Most times when I tried to nurse her she would refuse to latch and if she did, did so very weakly such that she got nothing out of the breast when she was sucking. I know that for sure, as I test weighed her before and after a feed. By the end of the attempt she was crying frantically out of hunger; at which point I gave her a bottle, which she would finish in record time. So today to try something different, I decided to just bottle feed her without trying to breastfeed her and our feeding times went down from about an hour to half an hour. Unfortunately, it seems that me trying to nurse her really tires her out without providing her with much nutrition, such that when I introduce the bottle later she is too tired to suck on and takes her ages (and syringe feeding) to finish. I might try to go cold turkey again once she hits 40 weeks, but I think I am now finally accepting that DD will not nurse directly from me. That still does not mean she can not be fed breastmilk from me for as long as possible.. albeit expressed and in a bottle.... I suppose I am now beginning to redefine what a breastfed baby is now. Thanks again for thinking about me and for all your excellent advice. xxx
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Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 17:45
So good to hear about your good news meals. I hope you, Jackson and the rest of the clan settle into a reasonable routine.. well as reasonable as possible with a newborn! xxx
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Latest post on 15 January 2011 - 03:57
Forever21, my thoughts are with you. If it's contractions you're feeling and your waters have not broken the doctors will probably give you something to stop the contractions.
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Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 13:28
I didn't see this thread before. What a terrible time for the little boy and his family. I truly hope he'll be found soon. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
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Latest post on 14 January 2011 - 13:27
Mine came back at 5months - I was hoping to start charting again but looks like my cycles are super long (even longer than they were pre-preg) and they are also anovulatory ... (I was hoping that when they returned that I would suddenly lose weight but no such luck ... looks like my bfing flab is here to stay for as long as I bfeed! My periods came back a year after DD1 was born and they too were anvolulatory until DD was almost two years old. I only began ovulating once I dropped most of the feeds. Sounds pretty normal to me.
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Latest post on 11 January 2011 - 16:46
Christeen, congratulations on your pregnancy. I know this is a hard time for you. Please don't try to do it alone. If you don't want to admit to your DH that you're smoking. At least let him know that you have moments of weakness and are afraid you might regress. Talk to an OB or GP about what options you have that may help you quit smoking whilst pregnant but are also safe for your baby (don't know if there are any out there, but it doesn't hurt to ask). This may be mean but I'm also going to wish horrible morning sickness on you... so bad that you can't ever look at a cigarette again. :) Good luck and again congratulations. <em>edited by lemondrops on 11/01/2011</em>
lemondrops
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Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 19:54
what to expect when your expecting: first year That was my baby bible - an invaluable resource. Another good book was The Baby Book by Dr. Sears. I personally was not impressed with Baby Love, prefer the WTE books much more.
lemondrops
378
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 19:52
Thank u so much for all you help! I think I'll wait till the 12 week scan as well. I'm still seeing the dr at the Fertility Center in Dubai, and while I am so eternally grateful to him bc he made this happen for us, I just wish he had a bit more time for me. Every time I go in to see time with questions (like this one), he is so super busy, and I just feel rushed and then forget all my questions. I think after my 2 week scan with them, I'll find another ob/gyn, and speak to them as well to see what their thoughts are. Thanks again!! congratulations on your pregnancy. It's not surprise to hear how busy your doctor is at the moment. It probably won't change once you move to a regular OB. The best thing you can do is start jotting down any questions you've got on a piece of paper and taking your notes with you. Trust me, this is a habit you'll want to keep even when switching to a regular OB, because even if they're rushing you, you'll make sure that all your questions get answered.
lemondrops
378
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 19:49
As a working mother who initially did the nursery route and then had to go the nanny route, I found nurseries a completely impractical solution when trying to juggle DD's care and a job for the following reasons: *Nurseries are closed for every other holiday in addition to term breaks, half term break. I found myself having to take days off to look after DD during those days. *DD picked up every other bug on the planet during her brief stay in nursery, including a severe bout of bronchiolitis. I still think this is the reason why she developed asthma later on. But at the time, it also meant having to take more days off work to look after a sick DD. Again not practical when there are deliverables and deadlines that need to be met. *Even in the best of nurseries, you're looking at a carer to baby ratio of 3 to 1, instead of a 1 to 1 ratio you would get with a nanny. I personally find that in the first year all your LO needs is love and attention; it doesn't matter if he/she gets it from a masters degree holder or a maid with just a highschool education. In fact, most of the caretakers in nurseries are teaching assistants from India or the philipines with a two year diploma and a pediatric first aid course. You'd be surprised how many degree holders from those countries take up jobs as maids or nannies to support their families back home. But at the end of the day, the one on one attention is unbeatable particularly for a baby under two. If you're worried about your LO's health and safety, you can always arrange for your helper to attend a pediatric first aid course. *Nurseries provide no real advantage in terms of socialisation or education for children under the age of two. All studies conducted on nurseries show that the environment of socialisation and play is of no benefit to a child under the age two. In fact some studies have shown that there were some adverse effects when subjecting that age bracket to as many as 10 hours of nursery per week. *A nanny is a much more affordable, reliable and economic option than nurseries considering the number of days nurseries have off and particularly if you're on a part time job which doesn't pay very well.
lemondrops
378
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 January 2011 - 13:21
Hi BFC, well the SNS hasn't been a great success. DD found it difficult latching on with a tube in the way. She's very lazy as it is and the cumbersome tubing wasn't helping. I suggested to my LC maybe we try to go cold turkey for 24 hours and see if that helps. Right now she's fed every 3 hours on the clock. She has never had to cry for food and her weight gain has always been around 30 g/day. So the theory is that because she's never been let to feel hungry and because the bottles are an easier alternative she's never felt the need to try to breastfeed. So we're going to go for 24 hours only BF with lots of skin to skin and co sleeping. I am to test weigh her before and after feeds, and will have a close look on wet nappies to make sure she does not get dehydrated. My only concern is that she is still 2.7 kg, so still not very big. Do you think that is a successful strategy, or should I wait until she's closer to 3 kg? If this doesn't work, I think I will really truly have to throw in the towel!
lemondrops
378
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 January 2011 - 21:18
Hi BFC, well it's a bit hit and miss really, although I'm relieved to hear that preemies tend to not get caught up in nipple confusion. DD is however 37 weeks and 5 days so is she still considered a preemie or now a full term baby? She's been really alert during her feeds today so I wanted to see if I could get her to breastfeed. I tried her with both just the breast and with the SNS and must admit find that contraption quite cumbersome. It's hard enough trying to get DD to latch on without it, plus I suspect she is now trying to suck on the breast the way she sucks on the nipple :( For one particular feed, I had been trying for over an hour before I gave up and gave her a bottle. Tomorrow is a new day I suppose. I'll ask my LC about the nipple shields. Although when I used them initially I found that I couldn't get my milk through with the shields (although this shouldn't be an issue if the SNS is also used). Thanks for the tip.
 
 
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