Countjc

Used it last week for the first time with my 8 month old and was v. impressed. I am not a member but been able to book 3 days in advance. Trying out the dulwich one tommorow but have also heard good things about there too.

Hi Fuschia sorry to hear of your ongoing problems with the Tongue tie. My son was on just EBM from 5 weeks as the op didn't work well for us. I seem to remember him having 7 bottles in 24 hours of about 4-5 ounces each time in the early weeks and then more like 6-7 ounces at 10 weeks but just 6 bottles then. I was also concerned about overfeeding but health visitors assured me he would be sick if he ate too much, which on occasion he would. So as not to waste breastmilk, I used a larger storage bottle in the day and would decant out 3-4 ounces and then top up if he looked like he wanted more. I remember using the some equation that worked out quantities for formula and he was always on a few ounces more each day when it was breastmilk. Interestingly he did take less when I switched to formula. Hope that makes sense and helps, writing on my phone. Pm if you need more info and good luck with it.

Hey Fuschia I ended up expressing and bottle feeding till the op. He came straight back to the breast after the op no probs. Realise much harder for you as other kids to look after so less time to express but did take the pressure off till the op. Best of luck

Ruth agree with SW that you look fab but great place for facials is leslie leale green in Dulwich Village. X

Sorry to hear this Fuschia, I agree with Knomester about getting it done ASAP although it's a shame they can't get you done in time. I got it in a week as I was classed as an 'emergency' due to severe nipple damage. I still don't know why there has to be so much paperwork and a delay in getting it done. My friend is a paediatrician who diagnoses the tongue tie in the day 1 check and in her hospital they do it on the day? Best of luck with it all Jenny

Tesco delivery was due this am and still not turned up. Spent far too long on the phone trying to track it down. Still no idea where it is. Another grrr!

Good luck Fuschia, fingers crossed.

have emailed, many thanks for letting us know. Would be great if we could get a mon/tues too.

KM: just thought of a few other things that could help on the checklist. Tongue tie symptoms: Baby fighting to latch on- windmilling arms in frustration and crying whenever put into feeding postion. Baby failing to thrive despite feeding regulalry Baby feeding for v. long periods of time- sometimes over an hour. Baby v. dribbly during feeding Windy baby- OK so most babies are but as a result of the tongue tie they guld lots of extra air down so often scream a lot after feeding. Buggles- great point about the antibiotics. I wasn't aware I had even been given any after my C-sec until a few days later. Also taking antibiotics for mastitis can lead to a viscious cycle as these enable the thrush to thrive again. I also found that my baby was much better at unblocking my milk ducts with mastitis but then I would catch thrush again from him - this was before I knew about the strict routine to follow. I also gave him some probiotics in his milk to try to help him fight it- you can get them from health matters. Bli- thanks for the reassurance and also for all the advice you gave me back in the early days for fighting the blessed thrush. Sorry for rambling on folks but these posts the last few days has really reminded me what I went through and it sounds like lots us have had a rough time. Really hope that all these tips can help others out.

I went to the workshop and remember there being a bit on tongue tie and thrush but stupidly didnt listen or baby brain forgot about it. It strikes me that there are so many of us in this quite small community that have been through these tough experiences and I wonder how common it is nationally and how much support there is. Gussy mentioned putting some sort of blog up and the post that Knomester has put up is amazing. I would definately like to get involved in spreading the word and helping out other women. I got the sense that a lot of the GPs hadn't had much experience in dealing with tongue tie and all the various symptoms- my surgery were quite greatful when I turned up with a leaflet from the Breastfeeding Network about it all.

Jamma sorry to hear this and hope it all works out ok. Couple of other threads linked to this at the moment that might help too. You can hire from medela http://www.medelasuction.com/UK/breastfeeding/breastpumprental/index.php i found the double electric one to be good

KM: You are amazing and thanks so much for this thread. I wish it had been around before I had my baby. My experience is on another post but just one thing to add is that breast thrush can stop the nipple tissue from healing properly and growing back. Like you I had it quite severely and right up in the milk ducts. I ended up just expressing after the tongue tie op as there was still so much pain but the tissue did not heal up and has still not done 3 months after stopping expressing. I saw a GP who specialises in dermatology and she was concerned that I may not be able to breast feed another child and should have stopped feeding/expressing sooner. I think maybe I am an unlucky 'one off' but if you are suffering from breast thrush, it might be worth getting a GP to assess how much damage has been done. GinaG- I wish I had come to peckham bfeeding cafe. Would love to hear if you have experienced successful stories 2nd time around after tongue tie etc as although quite a way off thinking about no. 2 it is something at the back of my mind.

Fuschia, I am so sorry that you are having such a rough time. I agree with some of the others about the elective C section and I wonder if you could really push for one of the individual rooms? I managed to get one on the advice of lots of ladies on here and it meant my husband could stay over with me. Perhaps your independent MW could if Mr F needs to be with the kids? They dont provide mattresses but my sister managed to buy a camp bed which you are welcome to borrow if you need it- I am v. close to Kings. Hope it all works out well for you.

Gussy you brave, brave lady. I cannot believe that you went through all that and that is amazing that you are still managing to feed. Congratulations. I think we do need to get our stories out there as Alieh says, it's often hard for the midwives to diagnose and quite a few drs hadn't heard of it (my dad included!). I managed to diagnose my friends baby having one and have encouraged as many people as I can to mention it when in hospital having the baby. We are lucky to be so close to Kings as when I went in for the op there were women who had come from miles away.

Moos congratulations on your baby and I hope you manage to get things sorted out quickly. I am really pleased about all the success stories on this thread with breastfeeding after a tongue tie. I was the one who started up that old thread when my boy wouldn't latch on. Unfortunately I wasn't such a success story and just thought I would put up what happened incase other women have similar issues. After posting on here and so many people suggesting it was a tongue tie, it was finally diagnosed at about 4 weeks. By that point we had been to see so many midwives and bfeeding cafes (apart from the Peckham one which I am gutted about as think they would have probably diagnosed it straight away!). Anyway we were being told it was wind/a bad latch/ just normal cracked nipples etc. After the op my son took really well to the breast but unfortunately so much damage had been done and I had severe breast thrush/double mastitis and another bacterial infection. I took antibiotics, fluconazole and another thing for the infection but it would not shift for ages so I expressed and expressed. The problem was that my nipples would not heal- I lost about 2/3rds of the tissue there. Apparently thrush makes it harder for the tissue to grow back normally. I continued to express to 3 months but still no healing and so I gradually wound down and switched to formula. We hoped that this would then allow the tissue to heal but it still hasnt - baby is now 6 months. Clare K and one of the other lactation consultants are worried that I may not be able to breastfeed another child which I am gutted about. Anyway sob story over, point being is to be really careful about breast thrush. One of the things suggested for cracked nipples is to rub breast milk on them which is fine unless you have thrush which thrives in a sugary, moist environment. Breast thrush symptoms are needle like pain in the breast tissue and nipples that won't heal. You can also check your baby's mouth for a white covering and bottom for nappy rash. My final comment would be that initially I would not consider formula as an option which I now feel stupid about but I was so desperate to breastfeed and all the midwives were pushing for it, no one even suggested giving a bottle. I felt so so guilty about formula feeding and a bit of a failure which I now know is totally ridiculous but was under so much pressure. The sad thing is that had I bottle fed sooner then I might have given my nipples a higher chance of healing. Dont get me wrong I am totally pro-breastfeeding and understand that 'breast is best' but only if it is working for you. It ended up being the GPs that talked me round and made me realise that the best thing for us was bottle feeding but I felt that all the HV and midwives could not see this. Anyway, I hope I haven't scared anyone with this post, more of a cautionary tale I hope and best of luck to those having the op. Tongue ties suddenly seem to be v. common but I think someone else mentioned that they used to be dealt with in hospital by a midwife and so people weren't aware of them. I dont know why they aren't checked for at Kings as they are at Tommys. I think it is worth mentioning when in hospital. Oh and I saw my midwife the other week and she said there are now 3 clinics a week running which is great news.

Has anyone here looked into St. Thomas' Hospital as an alternative? A few friends have had babies there and used the midwifery-led unit for a more 'homebirth' type experience and I think it is possible to pay for an individual room after delivery. I have no idea about costs but it means your partner or a friend can stay over with you and so provide a bit of extra support. I think we still fall into their catchment area out here. Best of luck to you snowboarder. Am way off considering no. 2 but have similar worries to a lot of the posters on here.

Folks Just wondering if any of you who suffered/are suffering with SPD has found anyone local to help- physio, osteopath etc. I am still having quite a few issues with my hips and feet 6 months on and my amazing physio has moved. I didn't get much support from Kings but perhaps never got referred to right person but did find some good physios at Tommies but would rather find someone a bit closer. Thankyou Jenny

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23887021-babies-born-in-waiting-room-after-hospital-ran-out-of-maternity-beds.do Does anyone know if the maternity led unit mentioned in the article got the go ahead? I remember when I was in the midwives were hoping for something similar to St. Thomas midwifery led unit. Would be fab if it went ahead but I am wondering if there is going to be any cash for it with spending cuts.

I've always had excellent advice in the past on here and am wondering if anyone can give me some pointers with a few things and wondering if they all might be linked? My 4 month old son has always been a great sleeper (terrible feeder though, you can never win) but has started rolling in his sleep and waking up on his front wailing. He has yet mastered how to roll back over and he is obviously not comfortable sleeping on his front. I was thinking of bolstering up the sides of his cot to stop him rolling but worried about him shoving his face into whatever I use. Do you think I should just put up with this as a 'phase' and hope he either stops or learns to flip forward? He has also been teething the past few weeks, producing huge amounts of drool, really flushed cheeks and biting on everything. Am trying all the usual suggestions, such as teetha, cooled teether toys, sophie the giraffe etc and that seems to help his pain but he is also puking like crazy which started around the time of teething (just after his 16 week jabs). It seems to happen about 2 hours after a feed and he is not in any discomfort but there is a lot of it but quite mucousy which makes me think its all the saliva he is swallowing. And to top it off he is back to doing new born type nappies - about 6 a day and weirdly (apologies for too much detail) it much more like breastmilk poop even though he is now fully on formula. GP and health visitor have put it all down to teething and say it's definately not reflux as no pain or back arching. I just wondered if anyone else had this experience and knew of a way to ease the puking. Oh and that gets worse every time he rolls and if I turn my back for a moment he is face down in it! Or again is it just a phase and hopefully the poor little man will soon stop requiring 6 changes a day! Edited to add: have just started him on some baby rice on the advice to wean early as he is big and showing all the signs. Also took him to see a cranial osteopath but have yet to see an improvement. Sorry for the rather random topics and graphic details but EDF always seems to have good answers! Thanks in advance J

It took me being 8 months pregnant, on crutches and crying to get a seat on the bus down to Kings. I think we are far too polite!

Hi there I was wondering if anyone could recommend a local cranial osteopath for my 4 month old son and myself? I have used Fabiano Da Silva in the past but unfortunately he is away on holiday at the moment and I was hoping to have a session in the next couple of weeks. thanks v. much Jenny

Really pleased for you jayd5 and glad to hear you and Ruby doing well.

Hiya Bumps and Babes is lovely- I have been going with my 14 week old for the last month. I think this Friday is the last session for the summer but restarts again in september j

I had several from various different physios and hospitals as had bad SPD. I am happy to give you one of mine as have about 6 so pm me if interested. I found them really comfortable and definately helped Jenny

hiya One of those original threads was in response to me and I have to say all the advice was spot on and really made a huge difference so thanks to all of you who posted. Jayd5, like you it took me a while to get me head round a c sec but as many of the others have said if it is the safest way for you and the baby then that is best. I'll try not to copy too much of what was said above but just a few things that went on during mine that might help you. Lots of people in the room but the anaesthetist is the one who was with me the whole time and she was amazing. Kept me really calm throughout and looked after hubby too. When they put the spinal block in your blood pressure will prob fall quite a bit which feels a bit weird and scary but that is a good sign that it is working, just keep talking to the anaesthetist and explain how you are feeling. she gave me something that raised my blood pressure a bit but i was yoyoin g around quite a bit througout the op. they were great about lowering the curtain and giving my son to me once he had been checked and we got skin on skin for a bit but then i lost a bit of blood whilst they were stitiching me up so they took him and husband off and they had a nice time bonding together which i think was really special for him. As you will see in the old thread and from many people the post-natal ward is a bit manic mainly due to their being not enough staff and so many women and babies. I found all the midwives etc to be amazing but just rushed off their feet. 3 mindwives and 50 women on the first night- mental! try to have someone there to keep hassling for your pain relief as mine kept coming late and it did hurt once the relief wore off (dont want to scare you but just to be realistic) we were out after 48 hours which was pretty unbelieveable as i went in a wheelchair unable to walk and walked out! if you can get up and about do when you feel ready as that definately helped me- i had a lovely health care assistant who helped me practice walking and showered me and things. one last thing and i will stop prattling on! My milk came in pretty late which was possibly due to the c sec or maybe blood loss but it was about day 6 so my boy was pretty hungry. please feel free to pm me if you want to know anything else and thanks again to all of those who reassured me before my op! j