We were both too tired to write yesterday as Jessica kept us up most of the previous night.
It all started shortly after her 11pm feed was over: she began hiccuping violently which didn’t seem to want to pass, despite efforts to burp her. A quick phone call to the staff on the Burstow ward (maternity ward at East Surrey Hospital) assured us that it wasn’t serious or dangerous.
The hiccups continued with Jessica looking more and more perplexed, poor thing probably didn’t know what’s going on, and Mum and Dad finding it amusing as she looked so cute (the word cute is going to appear frequently on this blog methinks!). I have to confess that we did video her, well you have to…! Even if it’s just to embarrass her in later years!
A while later, the hiccups did finally pass and after a nappy change, Jessica settled for a while. She did ask for a feed a couple more times during the early hours but attempts weren’t really successful. I, at least, manage to get a decent bit of kip, Gabriella wasn’t as fortunate. By 4am, we were both up trying to prepare a formula feed: me reading the instructions, through bleary eyes, Gabriella comforting an increasingly ravenous (and vocal) daughter.
With formula-feed prepared, Jessica was finally able to gorge herself. Another nappy change later, Jessica still didn’t want to settle. So at 5am Gabriella went to get some shut-eye, whilst I sat up comforting Jessica with bottle of formula-feed at the ready. Each time she looked like she had nodded off, I tried to put her back in the cot. Nope, she didn’t like that, so it was back to sitting in the living room with her resting in my arms.
Around 7am, the nappy needed changing again (where does it all come from…?) and the screeching woke Gabriella, who decided to try breastfeeding again. At least I was able to go back bed for a couple of hours.
Thankfully when Stewart, the midwife, called round later yesterday morning, he was able to suggest a couple of things to make it easier for us. A used pillow case of Gabriella’s for the undersheet and a hot water bottle prior to putting her in the cot should make her more inclined to stay there. Both of these made a difference last night.
We were so tired last night that we went to bed at 7.30! On a Saturday night! I don’t think I’ve ever done that in my adult life, even when I’ve been ill!
As Gabriella was to able breast-feed Jessica (and get some sleep as well), I got better night’s sleep last night with just a 6am nappy change to deal with. Boy was that an eye-opener! I’ve not seen baby poo before! The descriptions I’ve heard are pretty accurate…
Jessica taking (another) well-deserved nap. The baby gro is a little large for her. How long will that last though…?
We hope to take Jessica for a walk later. It’ll be the first time Gabriella’s ventured outside since getting back from the hospital. Hopefully, we’ll have a few more pictures to post too.
It’s good to be able share this with you.
Ian.