Thrifty Baby

Thrifty Baby Says Hello…

Miss Thrifty31 January 24, 2012

Well, here he is: the reason for my silence these past weeks. (Although I’m sure it won’t surprise you to learn that the volume level in this house has been anything but silent…)

Thrifty Baby was born on 3 January 2012, weighed in at 8lb 14oz and I fell in love with him immediately. I’ll write out his birth story in all its gory glory at a later date – right now he’s having one of his rare sleeps and I’m tapping away madly on this keyboard in a frantic bid to get this post written and published before he wakes up and begins yelling the place down again. The nutshell version: he was two weeks overdue, so I ended up being induced. I was lucky enough to give birth at Harrogate Hospital, where the care was AMAZING. I managed it on minimal pain relief (a couple of paracetamol and a couple of codeine) – although I might have gone for something stronger had I known that the second stage would go on for nearly four hours! Fortunately he turned out to be tough as old boots and didn’t go into distress, so we (only just) managed to avoid intervention.

Since then: well, these first weeks have been tough – even excluding the trials and rigours of breastfeeding. After the first week Thrifty Baby became poorly, and then became more poorly. He lost a pound of his birthweight; at the time of writing he is three weeks old and has climbed back up to 8lb 8.5oz, so we’ve turned a corner, but there is still some way to go. He has reflux – yep, baby heartburn – which is painful and makes him cry a lot and, more seriously, means that he finds it difficult to keep anything down. The milk goes in; the milk comes straight back up. The milk goes in; the milk comes straight back up. As a result, of course, he is hungry all the time. Medicine has made a difference: last week he was feeding hourly and couldn’t bear to be put down, but this week we are down to two hours, I’ve been getting some sleep and he has been sick a lot less the past couple of days, so fingers crossed… And here I am: absolutely thrilled to (finally!) get to introduce him to y’all!

On another note: I’ve had a fair few emails, from tipsters and competition winners etc., and I’d like to apologise for the delays in getting back to you. The keyboard is dusted off now, and I’m hoping to get back up to speed shortly, so please bear with me. I’m intending to get back up to speed with my posting schedule, too: ZOMG, there’s so much I want to share with you!

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31 Responses to “Thrifty Baby Says Hello…”

Jack says:

Aw! What a wee cutie. My little one had reflux too, so I understand the nightmare you are going through! Hang in there, and I hope you get some sleep when you can!

January 24, 2012 at 11:21 pm

Shoshanna says:

Oh, what a cute Thrifty Baby! Just wanted to write to say my son had reflux as well, and it’s awful. Things that helped us in addition to medication: keeping his head elevated 30 degrees or more ALL the time, even on his changing table, on his play mat and in his pram. Our doc actually told us to never let him lie flat. You can use blocks to prop up the top end of his cot (they sell such things, as well as cot and moses basket wedges that are firm and go under a fitted sheet), use a boppy pillow to keep him propped up on his play mat, etc. Also, we kept the little man completely upright for a full 30 minutes after each feed. I would sit upright in a comfy chair with his head on my shoulder; he would promptly fall asleep and I would read a book. The downside is he learned to sleep in my arms and has ever since struggled to go to sleep on his own, but it was better for us than the wailing that reflux caused. Hope your little guy grows out of it soon!

January 25, 2012 at 12:55 am

daisychain says:

Congratulations!

January 25, 2012 at 7:42 am

Toni says:

Congratulations. What a magnificent start to 2012 ! I’m so glad that he is on the mend and that you are finally getting some well earned sleep. Look forward to updates on his progress. Luv and best wishes. X

January 25, 2012 at 7:45 am

Ilisidi says:

Congratulations, and an intense way to start 2012. I wish Thrifty jnr good health and much happiness in his life, and of course Thrifty snr! 🙂

January 25, 2012 at 8:02 am

Katie says:

Huge congratulations on baby’s safe arrival and well done you for being a total hero! I only discovered your blog last week (thanks Sunday Times) and am only sorry I didn’t discover it sooner – it is fantastic. I have diligently been working my way through your archives while I’ve been breastfeeding my 8 week old. If I can offer you some encouragement – I only managed 16 days with my first son before throwing in the towel and switching to formula. But here I am still going having got through endless trials & tribulations including mastitis. In fact I got to 6 weeks (when it’s supposed to get easier – true for me) and encountered the 6 week growth spurt of endless feeding through the night. It was enough to make me consider sacking it off again. But in true thrifty style one of the things that kept me going was the thought that I’d already saved about £60 by not using formula!

Now it is genuinely discomfort free and easy. So of I can get there so will you! (but equally don’t beat yourself up if you do switch to formula – my first is perfectly healthy and gorgeous and remember a happy mum makes for a happy baby!

Looking forward to reading your next post when you get round to it.

K

January 25, 2012 at 8:39 am

Karla Grant says:

I know how you feel, both of mine did the projectile vomiting thing, but they do outgrow it! A couple of hints:

Wind him several times during his bottle, as it stops a big bubble developing under his milk which causes it to all expel.

Try putting something under his mattress to tilt him up just a bit, so that his head is above his shoulders, this helps too.

I am sure that your midwife/health visitor have told you these, but just thought I would chime in.

He is a beautiful boy, and it is common for babies to lose some weight when they are first born. My son was 5 weeks early and weighed 8 1/2 pounds, fortunately I had to have a C-section, so didn’t have to try and push him out! Well done!

January 25, 2012 at 9:03 am

Margaret says:

Congratulations! Never mind typing – get the sleep in whenever you can! We can wait.

January 25, 2012 at 9:59 am

Christina says:

Congratulations and well done, he is absolutely gorgeous. Can totally sympathise with the reflux thing, don’t worry it doesn’t go on forever. Enjoy the cuddles while he is still wanting you to give him them 🙂

January 25, 2012 at 10:44 am

Natalie Newman says:

Congratulations on your new little boy. Having a baby never ceases to be a miracle.
His reflux is, I think a fairly common and very difficult problem to deal with. In the old days in South Africa, we relied on Rooibos tea for many things. This lady promoted it for many things including colic for her baby. See http://sarooibos.co.za/rooibos-history-factfile-79. Also discussing help with babies: http://www.newlands.ca/Rooibos and Children.htm. (I am not a commercial promoter of Rooibos tea!! – just wanted to share a possible solution with you.)
Another help as also mentioned in other comments is the angle of the body. After feeding, you might lie your baby down horizontally, and then after a minute, slow raise him back to the verticle position. Almost like slowly getting a bubble to rise. It helped me with my babies.
I do hope you find the one that helps your little guy. Good luck and enjoy watching a new human being adapt to a feeding routine.

January 25, 2012 at 11:22 am

maria@moneyprinciple says:

Congratulations and he looks adorable. I realise it is a cliche but it does get easier – when they are about 35 and safely in their own homes. Regardless, it is all very enjoyable!

January 25, 2012 at 12:31 pm

Johnny Debt says:

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Welcome back we missed you.

I have to say that for someone who is well short on sleep, your post showed no signs of fatigue.

January 25, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Katie says:

Well done indeed. He’s a beauty!
My first born also suffered a long labour (36 hours in total) and I was advised to take him for Cranial Osteopathy, as the bones in the skull can overlap slightly and this method eases them back in to position. Sounds a bit odd but it worked. He was far calmer and satisfied following the sessions.
All the best.

January 25, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Earlsfield girl says:

Congratulations! He’s lovely and well done for getting back to the keyboard so fast. I’ve never responded to anything with a post before but felt this may be of interest. My eldest son was also overdue and was induced and similarly used to scream the place down – I couldn’t put him down and he cried seemingly non-stop every night from 5pm onwards. A friend recommended that I take him to a cranial osteopath which I did.
She worked her magic (very odd and didn’t look like she was even touching him but bear with it!). She said his body was full of tension from his birth and the fact that he’d been overdue and squashed for space. After 3 sessions he was like a different baby – very little crying, good feeder and slept through the night from 8 weeks. Believe it or not, he turned 10 last week and still sleeps like a log. Worth a try? Good luck and grab a rest when you can!

January 25, 2012 at 2:52 pm

Niftynorah says:

It’s good to see you back again. That is one gorgeous baby boy. Sleep whenever you can we can all wait for your next post.

January 25, 2012 at 3:58 pm

Heather Davies says:

He looks absolutely gorgeous, congratulations!!!

January 25, 2012 at 4:10 pm

Alison says:

Many congrats to you and baby Thrifty (what IS his name?) Look forward to hearing about his progress and any thrifty baby tips which I can pass on to my daughter who gave birth to my first granddaughter on the 3rd December.

January 25, 2012 at 5:13 pm

Clare says:

Congratulations, he’s GORGEOUS! Get lots and lots and lots of rest 🙂

January 25, 2012 at 5:16 pm

Popbabe7 says:

He’ s gorgeous! Congratulations on your new life. xx

January 25, 2012 at 7:12 pm

Linda Johnson aka MibsyXX says:

Congratulations hunny, he is absolutely gorgeous (broody phase coming on!)

You take all the time you need before you get back on here fully, those few weeks go so fast and are oh so precious! Enjoy xxxxxxxxxx

January 25, 2012 at 10:12 pm

Sebastian says:

He is like an angel! so adorable, congrats in having your new baby this new year.

January 26, 2012 at 8:05 am

FrugalLivingTips says:

Congratulations, she looks beautiful.

January 26, 2012 at 5:03 pm

maureen says:

Well done and good luck for the future. Mine is now sweet 16!!!

January 27, 2012 at 5:17 pm

linda says:

my first son had this 25 years ago, the advice of the consultant was to get rid of the carpets!(I spent 6 months with a sicky cloth on my shoulder and the pervading aroma of vomit) worth it in the long run; they DO get over it.Well done,I dont think I got dressed for about three months as he was always sick, awake and crying or attached to a boob!!

January 27, 2012 at 7:21 pm

porocna fotografija says:

Congrats!! It’s about the same age as mine

February 2, 2012 at 12:56 pm

K TWO says:

Congratulations! We are looking forward to lots of mummy-thrifty tips!

February 6, 2012 at 9:56 pm

Irfan says:

Very cute and innocent looking Thrifty Baby. May she live long.
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February 12, 2012 at 4:05 pm

Kate says:

Congrat! That is one gorgeous baby boy.

February 14, 2012 at 1:21 am

Miss Thrifty says:

Thanks for all your lovely messages. Oh, and for those who are asking… his name is Ernest! Miss T x

February 14, 2012 at 9:12 pm

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