Updates from postpartum mamas? - Page 2

[LindsC]

I agree. The heat and humidity is really making it hard. We try to make it outside first thing in the morning after breakfast before it gets too hot outside. Dh has also been really great about taking Ds out in the afternoons when he gets home from work so that they still get some outside time.

[curious&eager]

It's been hot here, but not too bad. DH, I and baby go for a couple mile walk in the park every other day. We go in the evenings just as the sun is going down and it is a bit cooler. I'm 18 days pp. This is our first, so I would say it was been tough. He is an eater. I feel like I'm being milked all day and night. During the day, there are some times when he wants to eat every hour. At night it is every 2 to 3 hours. My husband has been great helping me out, changing the baby, trying to keep him awake to eat longer, etc. We love our baby and enjoy just looking at him. So, I know it'll get a little better as he gets bigger and puts on a little fat. I feel more human after exercising. Yesterday I let DH push the stroller while I jogged. I really want to be back on my bike, but I know I have to wait a bit for the stitches to heal up. DH goes back to work next week and I'm sure I'll be exhausted all over again until the three of us figure out a routine.

[Ianthe]

We had a WIC appt today and Oliver is up ONE pound in a week!! I make super milk! He weighed 8 lbs 4 oz today (born at 7 lbs 7 oz, and his 2-day weight was 7 lbs 2 oz).

It was also my first time taking both boys with me, by myself. It was VERY challenging.. but I am thankful for my sling, and the breastfeeding room at the clinic that we locked ourselves in (because Sebastian, my 2 year old, wanted to run all over the building).

I work at WIC (well, I am on maternity leave, obviously) so it was also nice to see all my co-workers The women at my clinic are wonderful!

[fawnanddoe]

NAK

I have my surgery in two days! I am nervous about leaving Elijah all day long, but I am thankful he will be staying with my friend who will breastfeed him until we get out of the hospital. Then she will be staying at our house for the rest of the time I can't breastfeed.

I woke up yesterday with a fever feeling like I had the flu. My fever went up as the day went on, turns out I have mastitis. My mw put me on an antibiotic, now I just have to hope we don't get thrush.

We had a rough couple of days nursing because my nipples cracked and were bleeding. It turns out that it was just them adjusting, and there were no problems with latch or anything. Even with the mastitis we are doing good! Elijah loves the mothers milk and is constantly nursing. He gained 7oz. in two days! I am curious to know what he weighs now, we will find out on Monday.

I am still adjusting and still very tired, but I am taking one day at a time

[LilMomma83]

FawnandDoe- that is great that you have a friend to BF him for you, I hope your surgery goes well.

I'm exhausted! I went to a job interview (which went well, but, I had have to go back for some physical testing in August before I find out if I get the job) during nap time on Tuesday and cleaned my old apartment during nap time today and I want sleep so badly! Hopefully the boys will do good tonight because my DH is working his first overnight shift since he went back to work (last week his boss covered for him, but, he had to go home early today because his wife was overwhelmed--she had a baby about 2wks before I did).

Baby is still very sleepy and it is a little frustrated getting him to nurse or even take a bottle, but, I'm not complaining...it is going a lot better than with DS1!!

Oh, he also rolled over front to back yesterday, but, I think it was a fluke lol

[ctrygirlatheart]

7 days PP here. Still sore as all get out. I honestly did not see that one coming, why I don't know. Must have missed that day at my Bradley class. We are having some BFing issues with latch and cracked nipples (going to LLL meetings as well as a BF support group) which seems to be making it very hard to bond with my new babe. I love her to pieces one minute and then can't stop crying and wish I could send her back the next. The next moment is pure guilt over not loving her enough. Sigh. I knew this would be hard but I never thought that I would have trouble with bonding. Any suggestions?

[half-pigeon]

Originally Posted by ctrygirlatheart

7 days PP here. Still sore as all get out. I honestly did not see that one coming, why I don't know. Must have missed that day at my Bradley class. We are having some BFing issues with latch and cracked nipples (going to LLL meetings as well as a BF support group) which seems to be making it very hard to bond with my new babe. I love her to pieces one minute and then can't stop crying and wish I could send her back the next. The next moment is pure guilt over not loving her enough. Sigh. I knew this would be hard but I never thought that I would have trouble with bonding. Any suggestions?

I am 5 days pp & also didn't realize I would be this sore - perineum, nipples, my arms & back. My one nipple is extremely sore & scabbed. I am not sure if it is just normal transitioning or if his latch is/was causing it. I put some lanolin on it last night & it feels better today. I also bought some soothies- reusable gel pads to soothe nipples. You may want to look into those. I found them at a drug store.

I would like to go to a breastfeeding support group, however, leaving the house right now seems so overwhelming between breastfeeding and just transitoning to cloth diapers. At least we'd be going to a place where I wouldn't have to worry about where I would feed.

Don't beat yourself up over your feelings. Breastfeeding can be tough & takes work, which is difficult when you are tired & sore & have a crying baby. not to mention the hormonal changes and dealing with major life changes. I think going to a support group is a great idea.

[LilMomma83]

ctrygirlatheart and half-pigeon, it is hard to adjust..especially if BF is not going smoothly yet. I would highly recommend getting out though, even if is just a walk or a trip to the grocery store...I've been much more out and about his time, and I feel it has really helped me in my recovery--especially emotionally. Also, if you know any moms that BF or if you go to LLL/BF support group first that can help ease discomfort about nursing in public--just being around other people doing the same thing!

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by LilMomma83

ctrygirlatheart and half-pigeon, it is hard to adjust..especially if BF is not going smoothly yet. I would highly recommend getting out though, even if is just a walk or a trip to the grocery store...I've been much more out and about his time, and I feel it has really helped me in my recovery--especially emotionally. Also, if you know any moms that BF or if you go to LLL/BF support group first that can help ease discomfort about nursing in public--just being around other people doing the same thing!

I agree.. it really is an adjustment with your first baby. It took me a good 3 months to get the hang of things with a newborn, and I had a ton of BF problems.. but we got through it, and every day was a little easier.

[ctrygirlatheart]

Thanks for the encouragement. I had read that some moms don't instantly bond with their babies but I never in a million years thought that it would me with this problem. We went to a LLL meeting this week and a BF support group at the hospital. We go for walks with my husband and the dog each day too. One thing that I have found to promote bonding for us is to wear the baby as much as I can in her Moby, to sleep with her next to me and to sing to her when I BF. All of the typical AP stuff but it does seem to be working, I feel a little more in love with her each day. We are still having BF issues but trying to work them out. I am planning on continuing with the LLL meetings and I see that the hospital offers a postpartum wellness group too that helps new moms with anxiety and depression issues. Since I am at risk for PPD I think it would be good for me to go to this too. Hope you can find some resources near you too halfpigieon.

[poiyt]

dont worry about bonding mama...its hard. With my first I didnt bond with her until she was probably 3 weeks old. In fact..it was so bad that I called her my ward and didnt really use her name all that much. (I did realize much later I had a severe case of baby blues...) Bonding takes time. I thought that with this one, my second, I would bond much easier - especially since I was in control of her birth completely - but, alas, I did not bond with her right away either....Its normal for some women. Whats important is to recognize that thats whats normal for you, and know what you can do to combat it. *hugs*