PP Mamas, how are we doing? - Page 3

[inky leeuhhh]

nak

had a pp appt today, and dd has gained a lb in ten days!! so im sold on the breastfeeding. LOL. had my first nip experience today in the dr office too. in front of some poor teenage boy. i used a blanket but i could tell he was not comfortable. lol. hes lucky i used the less inverted nipple side or i would have been whooping the whole breast out to get her latched on. gwyns cloth dipes are fitting great now too : . i have a huge diaper fetish. thats all

[emmaegbert]

Originally Posted by secondimpression

On the awesomeness factor, I have NIPed a few times now thanks to their insistance that we eat out. I'm really loving how much they squirm and avert their eyes when DS starts rooting around for boob

LOL! This happened with my first and the ILs too- they would rather drive to the mall to eat at the food court than be subjected to the food in my house. (you know, too many fresh fruits and veggies, not enough greasy meat?) My MIL would leap out of her seat and start trying to drape blankets all over me. ah well. It actually helped me just get over it faster I think and that was good in the long run, so thanks ILs for being so weird!

(I'm still preggers too but I like reading about you guys more than moaning and groaning about my aches and pains...)

[MissyLissa]

The transition to two kids has been a lot easier than I expected it to be. For one, my birth was super easy and I didn't tear so besides horrible after birth pains for a few days I hardly felt like I had had a baby after the first day. DD is a great nurser although I'm having extreme low supply issues again. I gave up with DS at 5 weeks so I'm forcing myself to stick it out until at least that point and reevaluate the situation at that point. I'm still hopeful of finding something that will increase my supply but so far the things I'm doing don't seem to be helping and nothing I tried with DS worked either. With him I produced about 8 ounces a day and this time seems to be about the same although I haven't had any pre-post feeding weighings to determine how much she's getting. DS loves his new little sister and doesn't seem to be jealous of her at all. He's made more messes than normal today (this was my first day without help) but if that's how he acts out, fine!

[MelW]

I finally got my husband off the computer long enough to reply to this thread (he's teaching online college classes and it's the last week of the term)

How are you recovering? GREAT! Maybe a little too well, actually. I need to remind myself to get rest, since I notice a little more lochia on the days that I'm not resting enough. But without tears and a pretty quick labour I've been feeling really good.

How is your new LO? She's also wonderful. So far we've been amazed by "ms mellow" who sleeps 3-4 hour stretches at night and is pretty relaxed during the day, too. I've been putting her down to nap in the basinette sometimes while I play with my older daughter or make lunch, take a bath, etc. My husband was freaked out by it, since Neela only slept in our arms.

How is breastfeeding going? Pretty well. I'm dealing with some engorgement/oversupply that I also did last time. We were down to one breast per feed by day four, and I sometimes need to do two in a row on one side to get a breast drained (and then deal with massive engorgement on the other side since it can go 6-7 hours before she feeds on it again). Luckily I know my how to manage my supply a bit better this time, so I'm nipping the oversupply in the bud. Oh, and mysteriously I'm not leaking- I leaked a ton in the first few months with Neela, but so far my breasts "remember" how to only let down on one side at a time. I love it! And today at 6 days old, she's at her birth weight already.

How is the rest of your family doing? My husband's grandfather was admitted to hospital with heart failure three hours after Nora was born. So my extra support from my MIL was less than last time and less than I expected. Generally our "babymoon" was not quite as nurtured as I had hoped for. Neela certainly picked up on the stress, and is doing typical but frustrating 3 year old sibling coping. She's very sweet with the baby, but taking out all of her frustrations (and total rudeness) on my husband and I. We're working on it... Today she asked me if we can go out and have some Neela and mummy time- so I think we'll make a park date later this week for some one on one.

[dawncayden]

Hmmm, whats been goin' on?

My milk 'officially' came in 60 hours post birth. I say officially because I had some milk before that but at 60 hours I became Dolly Parton
I forgot how incredibly uncomfortable getting your milk in is. I feel like I know my body a bit better this time and I can already feel my milk adjusting to Lucas's needs already and he's only 6 days old. With Cayden it was more like 2 weeks later. I have massive oversupply and a major letdown. Match those with Cayden needing to comfort nurse, and my body must have thought I had twins around. He would nurse so much and get so much milk, that he would end up spitting up an massive amount. It was actually why we introduced a paci, because he needed to comfort nurse and he would go through so much spit up, it was the only thing I thought that would help.
With Lucas, he doesn't need to burp and he doesn't spit up. He doesn't comfort nurse and he sleeps all the time without being held. Cayden was the opposite with all those things, so we keep thinking something might be wrong.
With Cayden we had a bassinette in the living room and if we put him in fully asleep we *might* get a 20 minute nap. Otherwise he needed to constantly be held. For nights, he needed to sleep ON someone or he'd wake up. With Lucas, I can put him down awake and he'll fall asleep I didn't know babies ACTUALLY did that! He's sleeping 3 hour stretches at night...Cayden didn't start that until 2 years old.
We are dealing with a bit of a diaper rash which I think has to do with the 3 hour stretches at night. So I'm being extremely diligent with changing and keeping dry and diaper-less so I think we are doing pretty good.

I had my first bout of weepiness today. I think I cried about 4 times today. I get overwhelmed when I think too much about things. Right now ds1 has a cold so he's extra needy, and mucusy so he's a bit more work. Dh is also sick, and even though he's home from work and still doing tons around here, I just start worrying too much.

Physically, I'm very stiff. I think it might be the amount of stuff I do around here, but it feels so good to do My feet get swollen too, which is weird because they didn't during pregnancy, but they are now? :
My shoulder blades hurt like heck from carrying around ds2 and nursing him with bad posture.

Oh! And my nipples are doing GREAT! I say that with such enthusiasm because I had a bad latch with ds1 which resulted in a (tmi) split nipple/flap. Awful, I know! I've been using lanolin from the very beginning and being super focused on a good latch, so everything is WONDERFUL in that area
I am block feeding to deal with the oversupply, which is totally working. I didn't figure that out until quite late last time, so its pretty amazing to have this uncomfortable engorgement pass quickly.

[Jude-a-buddies-mom]

Hi everyone. I almost 3 weeks postpartum and have been having crazy mood swings/weepiness. I have really been working on having a very good diet and it seems to be helping. I also got out for a long walk today with my little guy in the wrap and my 5 1/2 and 3 year old alternating riding in the jogging stroller, it was really nice. Exercising is always a mood booster for me. My little guy is so mellow and I am really enjoying him. My dd was a very intense baby, she is also intensely in love with her little brother they are so sweet together. Breast feeding is improving but I still have to work at it sometimes to get him to latch correctly. I am enjoying my last week with just my kids. Next week I will be welcoming back two of the three daycare kids that have. How's everyone else doing?

[MelW]

Dawn, I feel like I could have written most of your post! From the Dolly Parton to the history of oversupply to the new baby's nursing patterns to the amazing put down awake and fall asleep and the diaper rash and everything! I have a naked bum baby sleeping beside me as I write airing out her rash.

This sleep thing makes a very good argument for having more babies And my libido thinks so, too. Physically I'm not ready for sex yet, but I want some good teenage-style groping and make-out sessions

I really need a new bra. I know that my breasts will regulate a bit in a couple of weeks, but I'm not sure I can make it that long. And though my belly is rapidly shrinking, my "regular" shirts are all too short and/or too tight in the breasts. And even many of my maternity shirts are too tight in the breasts.

Good luck with getting back to your daycare, and enjoy your last week "off" Jude-a-buddies-mom.

[Latenightanarchy]

We had this experience in the past. My older ds was 2.5 when the LO was born (who was EXTREMELY EASY). DS1 was such a difficult and unhappy (not to mention hard to enjoy) baby. DS2 was a snugglebug who never cried and just loved to eat and sleep and smile. So I immediately realized I was really loving being mama of DS2 but not so much with DS1. He did regress and started wetting on the floor and throwing more tantrums. It passed within a few weeks though and I made sure he was "involved". Getting diapers, holding baby and being "big brother" and "watching" the baby while I went potty. It made him feel really a part of the special baby stuff and I saw his behavior improve a lot (though he was hardly a troublemaker at all anyway, just a difficult baby). Within 3 weeks he had stopped tantrums, accidents and bedtime struggle. I think that age just has a hard time verbalizing the possible fear they feel from uncertainty. They don't know if this baby will take all mom's love, or replace them, or what. So the only suggestion I have is just to try to hug them more, involve them more and help them feel special too because it's easy for them to see everyone thinks the baby is special.

Hope this can help a bit.

Originally Posted by hmg

...that I'm not the only one who is finding the biggest challenge to having a new one to be dealing with the 2.5 year old older sibling?

Because, I feel terrible that new DD is by far the easiest infant, she's really not at all any stress, it's the toddler that makes me want to tear my hair out and run for a cave somewhere far, far away.

Anyone? *hears crickets*

[smocklets]

Originally Posted by Jude-a-buddies-mom

Hi everyone. I almost 3 weeks postpartum and have been having crazy mood swings/weepiness. I have really been working on having a very good diet and it seems to be helping. I also got out for a long walk today with my little guy in the wrap and my 5 1/2 and 3 year old alternating riding in the jogging stroller, it was really nice. Exercising is always a mood booster for me. My little guy is so mellow and I am really enjoying him. My dd was a very intense baby, she is also intensely in love with her little brother they are so sweet together. Breast feeding is improving but I still have to work at it sometimes to get him to latch correctly. I am enjoying my last week with just my kids. Next week I will be welcoming back two of the three daycare kids that have. How's everyone else doing?

I am starting to have mood swings now too, and I'm also 3 week postpartum. The weather here has been crappy, so I haven't been able to walk. Also I've been bleeding more whenever I do too much, so being careful on the exercise. I'm trying to eat well, are there any foods you avoid or have more of to help?

[Jude-a-buddies-mom]

I found a link for postpartum nutrition that has been helpful. Mostly I have been trying to make sure that I am getting enough Omega 3 and 6's. I do pretty good with the other things such as no refined flours/sugars because I bake all my own foods. I've noticed just adding some ground flax seed in everyday has been helpful and its simple to do. Our weather here has been pretty sporadic but this week has been nice and I plan to take advantage of it. That stinks about the bleeding, mine is just a little spotting now and again at this point.

Originally Posted by smocklets

I am starting to have mood swings now too, and I'm also 3 week postpartum. The weather here has been crappy, so I haven't been able to walk. Also I've been bleeding more whenever I do too much, so being careful on the exercise. I'm trying to eat well, are there any foods you avoid or have more of to help?

[dawncayden]

Anyone else have a weird almost full body rash after giving birth? 2 days after the birth I started having itching under my chin, and now its spread up to my cheeks, down my neck and chest. It's not really noticable, just small bumps that are kinda itchy. Maybe its hormonal?

[*Amy*]

Hey mamas. Wow, the past few days have been *tough*. I am sore everywhere and struggling despite being on 800mg of ibuprofin and occasional percocet. My abdomen is sore, I'm having intense after-pains, and my milk came in yesterday. Oh and every muscle in my back is sore, both from how I was straining (pulling up with my arms onto my windowsill) during labor and because of having to pull myself up out of bed or to roll over since I have no abdominal muscles!

My feeling right now is that childbirth is very much like being hit by a truck.

Emotionally I am doing great and *so* looking forward to going home today!! I have really missed being with Brynn and Jason and am so happy we will be together as a family finally! I am slightly concerned about how little I can actually DO and how that is going to work with Brynn wanting to cuddle me and just be on me constantly, but we'll have to figure it out.

Aaaghhh, my breasts are just enormous and painful! Can't wait for this phase to be over!

[dawncayden]

Amy,

I noticed my breasts have remembered how to adjust a lot quicker this time around, so hopefully they won't be painful for too long. I started block feeding earlier too, so maybe thats why...left breast left breast, right one right.

[claras_mom]

Originally Posted by dawncayden

Anyone else have a weird almost full body rash after giving birth? 2 days after the birth I started having itching under my chin, and now its spread up to my cheeks, down my neck and chest. It's not really noticable, just small bumps that are kinda itchy. Maybe its hormonal?

I don't know...I had a rash on the front of my torso (from under the breasts to the bikini line) for a solid week, starting about 2 days after. The doc thought it might have been an allergic reaction to the adhesive in the surgical drape (because it was pretty well defined by where that had been). I think it morphed into a candida overgrowth--probably triggered by the post-op antibiotics--because what finally killed it was topical monistat. The rash had the splotchy red patches of a yeast infection, but there were also (first) little itchy bumps.

I've got to work on maintaining today....my mom went home yesterday, and my elder daughter is home with a cold, for the third day running. I can't decide if she's really too sick for daycare, or if she just wants to be home, and was unwilling to fight it. I just want a day entirely too myself, with the baby....

[Latenightanarchy]

I had spots after my last one where you described and they went away after a few days. Doc said it was called pupp? or something like that? Can happen even after you have the baby (though I'm getting it now at 39 wks with this one). I would say maybe yeast if you had abx, but you had hb right dawn?

The birth stories are great. I love reading them thanks for sharing. It is a great distraction from my huge belly! LOL.

:

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by dawncayden

Anyone else have a weird almost full body rash after giving birth? 2 days after the birth I started having itching under my chin, and now its spread up to my cheeks, down my neck and chest. It's not really noticable, just small bumps that are kinda itchy. Maybe its hormonal?

the epi i got gave me a weird rash. blah.

[dawncayden]

Yeah, homebirth no drugs, no adhesive. Not sure what it would be caused from but its nice to know others have experienced this

[wobblykate]

Well, Eden had her first emergency trip to the after-hours ped clinic on Wed. Some common newborn rash, I guess. Not dangerous, just splotchy and kinda zitty looking. Dr. was worried about her cord (fell off that day (5 days old, so early) and belly button was kinda sore...we had to use polysporin to get rid of bacteria...looks great now. I have to admit the rash reduced me to a weeping puddle of worry...not to mention not wanting to take her to a clinic (they were great and rushed her in and out with no waiting, tho). This parenthood thing is stressful.

And a question - how much does your bf baby spit up? Eden never spit up at all until yesterday and then she was doing it a lot. I wasn't counting poops, but they felt kinda less than usual (but lots of pee). I'll count today...she had one early this am but it was super thick, not her usual watery with curds....maybe I ate something she didn't like?

[MelW]

Sorry for the scary rash visit, Kate.

Nora spits up after almost every feed. Neela did, too. I have a big milk supply and a fast let down, so they seem to get a big bellyfull of milk quickly and need to have a big burp and spit up after a feed. And sometimes minutes and hours later, too. Dr. Sears talks about "happy spitters" that you don't need to worry about, since it's just normal for many babies. He calls it a laundry problem rather than a medical problem (like reflux, which involves pain). For Neela it got better at about 6 months.

Until then, there is lots of laundry, pukey milk smell that permeates the house, and I always have a receiving blanket in hand to catch puke. Yesterday she puked down my nursing tank and the "shelf" held a little puddle.

[wobblykate]

Originally Posted by MelW

Sorry for the scary rash visit, Kate.

Nora spits up after almost every feed. Neela did, too. I have a big milk supply and a fast let down, so they seem to get a big bellyfull of milk quickly and need to have a big burp and spit up after a feed. And sometimes minutes and hours later, too. Dr. Sears talks about "happy spitters" that you don't need to worry about, since it's just normal for many babies. He calls it a laundry problem rather than a medical problem (like reflux, which involves pain). For Neela it got better at about 6 months.

Until then, there is lots of laundry, pukey milk smell that permeates the house, and I always have a receiving blanket in hand to catch puke. Yesterday she puked down my nursing tank and the "shelf" held a little puddle.

nak
thanks....now that you mention i think my let down has increased...i feel rock solid before a feed, so she may be adjusting to that...and she definiely is a 'happy spitter.' my nephew has reflux and that's very different...eden just grins when she spits.

ack! i'm leaking from t'other side..that's new!