Most parents when their child is first born like them to sleep in the same room so they can keep an eye on them, this is what we did. As much as I said I would never have my son in the same bed, he did occasionally sleep with me. Sometimes Keegan just would not settle and I think all he sometimes wanted was a cuddle off his mum, I never put him next to his dad though as his dad is a smoker. He is now four months old and I dont think I will be doing it again now as I dont want him to get attatched to sleeping in our bed.
I out him up in his own room after about 6/8 weeks as I wanted him to sleep on his own as soon as I could. He did brilliantly straight away and sometimes even went 12hours from 9pm til 9am. Even though we got a good nights sleep I really wanted him to sleep hours such as 7pm til 7am. This was more difficult than I imagined it would be. Because I had disrupted his sleep pattern he decided to disrupt ours. We were back to square one and he was waking up at 3am wanting a feed. As much as I wanted my sleep I refused to let him get the better of me and persisted to get him to sleep the hours I wanted.
Even though it felt like longer, it only took about a week for his body clock to get used to the change. I think it also helped that around this time I put him on to solid foods during the day and he was in a routine with a bottle before bed.
Now I can happily say that Keegan is sleeping from 7pm til 7am and is just having about an hour nap during the day which is enough time for me to get things done around the house if needs be.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Friday, 20 March 2009
Breast Feeding
Breast feeding can be a daunting thought but it does not have to be. You will be told by many people that it is best for your child and from others that they did not wish to do it at all. Just remember it is your choice!
I decided to breast feed my child and was very determind to do so all through my pregnancy. The first mistake I made was not getting any powdered milk just in case. In the hospital Keegan had his first feed perfectly but then did not want any more and did not cry for any either, however I felt the midwives in there were making a big fuss and were pressurising me and making me feel uncomfortable. Do not let them do this to you. I tried to ignor them and do it my own way how I felt comfortable, and it helped that I had my mum and Stuart for support. They finally sent me home after Keegan fed, this was when he was hungry I might add.
Do not let this put you off but my nipples were sore because they constantly tried to help him attatch and instead of him putting round the whole of my breast he was perched on the end of the nipple. He eventually got the hang of it at home however by this time it was too late as it hurt and at 2am I sent Stuart to the shop for some baby formula.
They may be midwives and know all the right information but as I have said before you know your own body! Do not be afraid to tell the you feel uncomfortable and would like to do it in your own time, even ask them to leave the room if you feel they are watching in judgement.
I am planning on having another baby myself and am once again going to breast feed but this time I have experience on my side and will not be pressurised by anyone.
I decided to breast feed my child and was very determind to do so all through my pregnancy. The first mistake I made was not getting any powdered milk just in case. In the hospital Keegan had his first feed perfectly but then did not want any more and did not cry for any either, however I felt the midwives in there were making a big fuss and were pressurising me and making me feel uncomfortable. Do not let them do this to you. I tried to ignor them and do it my own way how I felt comfortable, and it helped that I had my mum and Stuart for support. They finally sent me home after Keegan fed, this was when he was hungry I might add.
Do not let this put you off but my nipples were sore because they constantly tried to help him attatch and instead of him putting round the whole of my breast he was perched on the end of the nipple. He eventually got the hang of it at home however by this time it was too late as it hurt and at 2am I sent Stuart to the shop for some baby formula.
They may be midwives and know all the right information but as I have said before you know your own body! Do not be afraid to tell the you feel uncomfortable and would like to do it in your own time, even ask them to leave the room if you feel they are watching in judgement.
I am planning on having another baby myself and am once again going to breast feed but this time I have experience on my side and will not be pressurised by anyone.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Top Ten Tips for labour
FOR MUMS
1. Pack your hospital bag in advance you never know when its going to happen.
2. Dont panic, stay calm and everything will go a lot smoother.
3. Do whatever you feel comfortable with to ease your contractions, you know your body better than anyone else.
4. Talk to your partner and tell him what you need, he is nervous too.
5. Dont worry about others around you, it is all about you and your new baby.
FOR DADS
6. Make sure you know what is in the bag and if you need anthing at the last minute because your partner will be a little bit preoccupied.
7. Don't panic, stay calm for both yourself and partner.
8. Ask your partner if she needs anything but don't crowd her. Just holding her hand says everything.
9. Dont be afraid to show your emotions.
10. ENJOY YOUR NEW BUDDLE OF JOY!!
1. Pack your hospital bag in advance you never know when its going to happen.
2. Dont panic, stay calm and everything will go a lot smoother.
3. Do whatever you feel comfortable with to ease your contractions, you know your body better than anyone else.
4. Talk to your partner and tell him what you need, he is nervous too.
5. Dont worry about others around you, it is all about you and your new baby.
FOR DADS
6. Make sure you know what is in the bag and if you need anthing at the last minute because your partner will be a little bit preoccupied.
7. Don't panic, stay calm for both yourself and partner.
8. Ask your partner if she needs anything but don't crowd her. Just holding her hand says everything.
9. Dont be afraid to show your emotions.
10. ENJOY YOUR NEW BUDDLE OF JOY!!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Labour from dad's point of view
On the 25th November approximately 8.30pm my partner,Holly, came downstairs after putting a bath on and told myself and friend that he might have to leave if 'this' carried on. At first I did not know what she ment and thought she might have been joking as we were watching football, then the penny drop and realised my son was on his way.
She returned upstairs to get in the bath as that is what my sister said was best. I was still in shock and thought it might have been a false alarm as we had already had one three weeks previous. I then informed my mum that she may have to take us to the hospital and carried on watching football, I thought if she needed me she would say and I didn't want my head biting off!
I went upstairs to check on her and she was laid on the bed. I asked if she wanted our friend to leave to which she said yes. I did this while she informed the birthing centre she was in labour.
Holly then had a burst of energy and wanted to keep her mind occupied by putting up the christmas tree. I was very anxious and really wanted her to go to the hospital to check everything was ok.
While waiting for my mum to arrive to take us to the hospital Holly continued to have contractions. During this time I felt completely helpless, I wanted to help but didn't know how.
When we got to the hospital I felt better knowing that we were in the right place if anything was to happen. When we got sent home I was more annoyed as I was expecting my son to arrive, but I guess it was dissapointment aswell.
I went straight to bed and slept as much I could until Holly woke me up about 3am asking me to ring my mum to take us back to the hospital. She rang her mum and friend to meet us at the hospital. Once there she paced the room not really speaking to any one.
Once again I felt helpless, watching someone you love going through pain, wanting to protect them and look after them knowing you can't do anything about it. She then got a bath and asked her mum to go in. Her mum came out and told me Holly wanted me in with her. I proceded in and she squeezed my hand, this was not enough and asked me to squeeze back for what she described as tension. Along came another contraction and after she finished she turned to me and said "I think I've had a crap!"
She was then asked if she wanted to go to the birthing pool and I literally had to carry her as she could not walk. Even though we only went to the next room it felt like forever getting there. Once through the door she had a contraction and the only thing to hold onto was me, so she was hanging on to my neck and baring down. She got in the pool on her knees hanging over the side, I was in front of her holding her hands. Moments later my son had arrived and I could feel all the emotions running through me. I thought I wouldn't feel like this as I already have a son but it was overwhelming. I did not speak to anyone to stop myself from crying and I looked at my newborn son.
It is the best feeling in the world no matter how tough you think you may be!
She returned upstairs to get in the bath as that is what my sister said was best. I was still in shock and thought it might have been a false alarm as we had already had one three weeks previous. I then informed my mum that she may have to take us to the hospital and carried on watching football, I thought if she needed me she would say and I didn't want my head biting off!
I went upstairs to check on her and she was laid on the bed. I asked if she wanted our friend to leave to which she said yes. I did this while she informed the birthing centre she was in labour.
Holly then had a burst of energy and wanted to keep her mind occupied by putting up the christmas tree. I was very anxious and really wanted her to go to the hospital to check everything was ok.
While waiting for my mum to arrive to take us to the hospital Holly continued to have contractions. During this time I felt completely helpless, I wanted to help but didn't know how.
When we got to the hospital I felt better knowing that we were in the right place if anything was to happen. When we got sent home I was more annoyed as I was expecting my son to arrive, but I guess it was dissapointment aswell.
I went straight to bed and slept as much I could until Holly woke me up about 3am asking me to ring my mum to take us back to the hospital. She rang her mum and friend to meet us at the hospital. Once there she paced the room not really speaking to any one.
Once again I felt helpless, watching someone you love going through pain, wanting to protect them and look after them knowing you can't do anything about it. She then got a bath and asked her mum to go in. Her mum came out and told me Holly wanted me in with her. I proceded in and she squeezed my hand, this was not enough and asked me to squeeze back for what she described as tension. Along came another contraction and after she finished she turned to me and said "I think I've had a crap!"
She was then asked if she wanted to go to the birthing pool and I literally had to carry her as she could not walk. Even though we only went to the next room it felt like forever getting there. Once through the door she had a contraction and the only thing to hold onto was me, so she was hanging on to my neck and baring down. She got in the pool on her knees hanging over the side, I was in front of her holding her hands. Moments later my son had arrived and I could feel all the emotions running through me. I thought I wouldn't feel like this as I already have a son but it was overwhelming. I did not speak to anyone to stop myself from crying and I looked at my newborn son.
It is the best feeling in the world no matter how tough you think you may be!
Thursday, 12 March 2009
labour from mums point of view
For me it all started about 5pm on tuesday evening. I was having my tea when lower back pain was starting to bother me. I thought nothing of it at first until about 8pm when I text my sister-in-law. She told me thats how she started and told me to get a nice hot bath. This was when I told my partner, and our friend, while they were watching football.
I stayed in the bath for about an hour but the pains got worse and I felt like I had to walk about. I put something comfy on and went downstairs. Stuart was worse than me and kept asking if I needed to go to the hospital. I said no as I felt comfortable at home, leaning on a chair and rocking backwards and forwards to help with contractions.
To keep myself busy I started to put up my christmas tree at 11pm. After that I couldn't bare Stuart constantly asking me to go to the hospital so we went.
Like I thought I was only 2cm dilated and we was sent back home. When we got home we went straight to bed and I tried to sleep. The most sleep I probably had at one time was about 20minutes and Stuart probably did not get much either as every time I had a contraction I squeezed him. About 2-3am I got another bath but it was no good, it was time to go back to the hospital.
I called my mum and best friend Naomi and we set off....
When we got there I tried different things to calm my contractions but leaning on the bed and rocking was best for me. My mum tried to talk to me to distract me, however this was a bad idea as I bit her head off.
Naomi arrived but I was in my own zone and did not really talk to her. About 5am I needed yet another bath, i've never had so many in less than 12hours. The contractions became more intense.
This was when my waters broke, but I had to double check with my mum. I seemed to loose all track of time when I was in hospital but all I cared about was that Stuart was by my side.
There was a funny part to being in labour, this was when I pushed during a contraction, stopped, turned to Stuart and said "I think I've had a crap!" I thought it would be embarrassing but like everyone says you just do not care.
I was asked if I wanted to go to the birthing pool to which I said yes. The next five minutes were the worst and the most painful (not wanting to put anyone off but he was pushing against my bone). However no more than three pushes later and my son was floating in the water.
WOW is all I can say!
I stayed in the bath for about an hour but the pains got worse and I felt like I had to walk about. I put something comfy on and went downstairs. Stuart was worse than me and kept asking if I needed to go to the hospital. I said no as I felt comfortable at home, leaning on a chair and rocking backwards and forwards to help with contractions.
To keep myself busy I started to put up my christmas tree at 11pm. After that I couldn't bare Stuart constantly asking me to go to the hospital so we went.
Like I thought I was only 2cm dilated and we was sent back home. When we got home we went straight to bed and I tried to sleep. The most sleep I probably had at one time was about 20minutes and Stuart probably did not get much either as every time I had a contraction I squeezed him. About 2-3am I got another bath but it was no good, it was time to go back to the hospital.
I called my mum and best friend Naomi and we set off....
When we got there I tried different things to calm my contractions but leaning on the bed and rocking was best for me. My mum tried to talk to me to distract me, however this was a bad idea as I bit her head off.
Naomi arrived but I was in my own zone and did not really talk to her. About 5am I needed yet another bath, i've never had so many in less than 12hours. The contractions became more intense.
This was when my waters broke, but I had to double check with my mum. I seemed to loose all track of time when I was in hospital but all I cared about was that Stuart was by my side.
There was a funny part to being in labour, this was when I pushed during a contraction, stopped, turned to Stuart and said "I think I've had a crap!" I thought it would be embarrassing but like everyone says you just do not care.
I was asked if I wanted to go to the birthing pool to which I said yes. The next five minutes were the worst and the most painful (not wanting to put anyone off but he was pushing against my bone). However no more than three pushes later and my son was floating in the water.
WOW is all I can say!
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