PP mamas, how're ya feeling? - Page 3

[KayleeZoo]

can i just say how jealous i am of people whose babies don't wake up every 1.5-2 hours to eat, all night long?! and that's from the time she starts eating-so really, after eating, puking, settling back down, etc. that's only about an hour of sleeping before she's up, rip roaring ready to start all over

camry was dx with full blown, severe reflux. did that dance with ds, and i remember it well. points to my ped, though- she said that all of the thickened formula, and rice cereal in the bottle, etc. are just a bunch of crap, and don't work, and to keep on nursing her and just wait it out. she's pretty mainstream about formula in general, so i was pleased to hear that from her (not that i would buy that strange thick formula for her anyway, but still)

one thing i remember about reflux-y babies. you always always always smell like pukey milk. always. because no matter how fast you catch it with a cloth, it still gets in your hair, down inside your bra, on the sheets of your bed, etc. so you perpetually smell like pukey milk. but it's kinda nice. one of those fleeting newborn things.

[Julia24]

O-M-G totally! that pukey smell. Charlotte still has it and she spits up by FAR the least of any of my kids. We didn't bother with any of that stuff with either of my big girls either....It just backs them up further. We just got good at aiming - we'll replace the carpet in a couple years! I'll never forget the 'splat' sound on the floor all the time!

[zenproof]

well during the day lately - there have been feedings where i try to get him nestled in the moby and he wakes up - is alert and content for about 15/20mins then gets to crying and rooting all over again. so i feed AGAIN. some times as often as every hour. same goes for at night.

i actually tried to lay him down on the Boppy last night inour bed and that worked SORT OF. he kind of whimpers and grunts the whole time in between feedings though. he doesn't seem to sleep soundly. but at least i gothim OFF of my chest.

[Julia24]

Zen, I swaddle and THEN put in the boppy in our bed (at least, we didt that for the first month, she's in her crib now)

[cymbeline]

Hahaha! The pukey smell! Totally there! DS4 doesn't have reflux, but he still spits up quite a bit, and we STINK!!!

He had a barfing session yesterday -- spitting up while hiccuping, and with every hiccup he spewed milk and it splatted on the floor. Oh jeez, we were just covered! He's a trooper though, not fussy, just barfy.

He's 3wks, and he still nurses every hour or so. He's like DS1, he likes to sleep with my nipple as a pacifier, so there is no way I could put him in the Boppy at night. Or a co-sleeper or crib. He lies next to me, and every hour or so, he grunts and moans and I flip him to the other side, back and forth all night long. DS1 was the same way, so I am okay with it. DS2 and DD3 both were light sleepers, so they moved out of my bed pretty quickly.

During the day he's pretty much on me to nurse, in the swing, back on me to nurse, back to the swing. We have made a couple of short trips out, once to the bank, another time to the grocery store, but the trips have to be short and he rides in the wrap or sling on me the whole time. I really need a haircut, and I haven't been able to pump yet, so I'm going a little stir crazy!

[Julia24]

I need a haircut in a TERRIBLE way too! I don't even bother bringing C into ANYWHERE in her carseat, I just bring the sling/mei tai depending on where we are, and put her directly into it from the car. AS long as I keep on truckin', she'll tolerate just about anything. (and by trucking - I mean, we have to keep walking...I tell the girls what to put in the cart and they drop it in )

[texmati]

my first one handed post! 10 days pp, and feeling pretty good despite the c-section.

i ended up going to my moms after delivery (I'm still there, in fact). She and my dad moved out of the master bedroom downstairs for the time being, and DH and I are staying there. This way I don't have to go up and down stairs. She makes meals before and after work and DH and I have the run of the house during the day. It's a very kushy post partum experience, I know. I'm kind of afraid of going back home, even though I know I can't stay here forever. I'm so, so, so very grateful to my mom and DH for making this happen. I know it's hard on everyone but me and the baby, but it's like the best vacation ever. It's exhilarating to be able to wake up each day and just focus on the baby.

Breastfeeding is still a bit of a challenge even though it's getting better. DS has finally started rooting for a nipple. I don't know if the GA, or separation after delivery could cause him to just forget how to root?

I'm really wondering how long I have to wait till I can do stuff. I'm flying solo after next week, I'm not sure how I'll get up and down stairs (or even in and out of bed) on my own. I did make it for an hour and a half on my own yesterday (one diaper change and feeding), so hopefully I should do ok.

Any other c-section mama's recovering?

[dosergirl]

just wanted to say that Cora hates being swaddled so we just don't. i keep a blanket on her under her arms and then her hands are free. i keep her nails cut, and by cut i mean i just bite them off.

also we put her on her back to sleep but she immediately rolls over onto her side, so that is how she sleeps.

my baby is not into all these rules. haha.

[vulnerable]

Originally Posted by texmati

I'm really wondering how long I have to wait till I can do stuff. I'm flying solo after next week, I'm not sure how I'll get up and down stairs (or even in and out of bed) on my own. I did make it for an hour and a half on my own yesterday (one diaper change and feeding), so hopefully I should do ok.

Any other c-section mama's recovering?

I was up and out of bed 4 hours after my c section and pretty much healed within 7 days. I live on the third floor of my apartment so I had no choice going up and down. My baby was also in the NICU so I was going up and down the stairs 2 days after surgery at least 4 times a day. I was more worried about ripping my staples than the pain. 14 days after my c section i developed an infection and had yet another surgery. I healed even faster this time around. The surgeons said the more movement you do the faster you heal. That proved to be the case for me.

[cymbeline]

Originally Posted by texmati

Breastfeeding is still a bit of a challenge even though it's getting better. Ishaan has finally started rooting for a nipple. I don't know if the GA, or separation after delivery could cause him to just forget how to root?

I read that the epidural can cause rooting dysfunction, but with determination it will pass. Hang in there! My first had terrible rooting/latching issues in addition to a high palette. It took 6 weeks of hard work, but it totally paid off in the end. When we finally got it down, he was a strong nurser until 2.5 yrs old!

Also, I didn't have a c-section, but it always takes me at least 10-12 days to get back on my feet. My SIL is one of those people who can get up and go the next day; I am not. Take it slow, take advantage of your awesome setup for now, rest, and bond with your babe! You earned it!!!

[StrongFeather]

Originally Posted by dosergirl

i keep her nails cut, and by cut i mean i just bite them off.

this made me laugh so hard...too funny..

anyways.. Sam was swaddled for the first week or two, but it became a hassle after awhile. Also remember he was born in August, during a major heat wave here in MA..so it was a whole different ball game than now. It became a hassle b/c I would unswaddle him to breast feed each time during the night, then he would fall asleep and usually the re-swaddling would wake him, and then he'd want to eat again..and the cycle would go over and over..most of the night. So I just covered him with a blanket. Now that it's getting colder and he has been so fussy, I wish I still had the swaddle down, but he isn't having it, so what can I do?

At first we were very concerned with Sam gaining weight b/c he was early and would nurse and fall right to sleep and my milk hadn't come in fully, so I had to supplement. Back then, I woke him every 3 hours at night, and every 2during the day. That way there I was 1) making sure he was nursing enough and 2) slowly training him that day time was awake time and nighttime was sleepy time.

It took at least a week to have him start to even getting it and sleeping a bit more. But I do have do have to say now he totally gets it.

[Dmitrizmom]

I'm slowly doing better - My mom is here helping, dh is driving me a little nuts, Vivienne is nursing fabulously.

I put my jeans on yesterday - they're too big. I hopped on the scale yesterday morning (one week post-partum) and am 45 lbs down from my pre-pg weight. Color me shocked...

[cymbeline]

Originally Posted by Dmitrizmom

I put my jeans on yesterday - they're too big. I hopped on the scale yesterday morning (one week post-partum) and am 45 lbs down from my pre-pg weight. Color me shocked...

Uh, SRSLY?!??!!!??!? Tell me how you did that!!! I have 25lbs to go, and it feels like torture. It has never been so hard to lose this dang weight!!

Trying to figure out if my almost month old baby is too young to take to the theatre. The boys earned a trip to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and I have heard it was good -- I want to go! He is super-chill, so I'm not really worried about crying or anything, it is more the noise... can't put baby ear plugs in him

[coldandsleepy]

7 days pp here. Sheesh! It feels like it has been SO much longer than that. Pre-baby life and pregnancy are already starting to feel all hazy and dreamlike.

Grey has been really blessedly easy so far. He sleeps for two hours, wakes up and eats one side (about 15 minutes), has a diaper change (10 minutes), eats the second side (another 5 minutes) and goes back to sleep. He does this all day and night, but honestly? I can deal with getting up for half an hour if it means I get to sleep in two hour increments the rest of the night!

The one exception to this cycle is that he follows up the half hour routine with about an hour or two of wakeful fussiness around 9 p.m. every night. Just when I'm getting tired. He doesn't want to eat any more, will latch on and then just stare at me for a couple of minutes without sucking, then cry again.

His dad has been great about trying non-boob comforting measures for him during these periods. We don't have it down to a science yet but there are definitely things he likes. He is definitely a PRO-swaddling baby. Anyway, after we go through this little period, he'll suddenly be actually hungry again, will eat, and will go back to sleep.

I'm feeling pretty good. Moments of weepiness here and there that I think probably have to do more with hormones than anything else. Breastfeeding has been easier for us than I expected. My milk came in with absolutely no fuss or fanfare. Despite having a natural birth and having a second degree tear, I really haven't had any significant soreness at all. I have to tell you I was terrified of having that first bowel movement, but it wasn't so bad.

So overall, I can't complain at all!

The one thing I AM really terrified of and am still still putting off is getting on the scale. I ended up gaining 55 pounds total (!) and even though Grey is a big little guy, I am skeptical that he and the rest of my uterine contents could really account for much of that number. Oy.

[StrongFeather]

Originally Posted by coldandsleepy

The one exception to this cycle is that he follows up the half hour routine with about an hour or two of wakeful fussiness around 9 p.m. every night. Just when I'm getting tired. He doesn't want to eat any more, will latch on and then just stare at me for a couple of minutes without sucking, then cry again.

His dad has been great about trying non-boob comforting measures for him during these periods. We don't have it down to a science yet but there are definitely things he likes. He is definitely a PRO-swaddling baby. Anyway, after we go through this little period, he'll suddenly be actually hungry again, will eat, and will go back to sleep.

Sam used to do this, at exactly the same time too! I would all but cry b/c my eyes would be closing and I would know that it would be a long time before I could actually sleep. I hope it passes for you!

[rebeccajm]

I am 1 week PP today and doing well, a million times better than PP after my c-section!

I didn't tear much at all, and the bleeding and swelling have been minimal. I think my "skid marks" are finally starting to heal. They were pretty painful until yesterday. I am also getting that feeling like my uterus is going to fall out for the last 2 days. Anyone else have that? I pushed for 3.5-4 hrs, so maybe that is why? It's kind of scary!

But I'm not complaining. I had such an easy breezy pregnancy and a wonderful birth experience. And now I have a sweet, easy newborn so far, woohoo!

Sawyer is doing really well. He saw the ped Wednesday to check his weight, and he was fine. He had been constantly partaking of colostrum, but it's still hard to tell if they get enough, kwim? He did not have a bm at all for the first 72 hours. I was getting concerned. (He did have meconium in the womb, though - lots.) He acted like he had gas and cried a lot Tuesday night. Then he had THREE sticky black mec diapers in a row Wednesday afternoon and evening. Since then, it's been much better. He isn't in pain and has had normal poops.

I, on the other hand, am pretty constipated. I have taken a few poops this week, but it has been a couple days now. I took 2 stool softeners today, so hopefully I can get some action going.

Don't you just LOVE all this talk about poop?

It feels so good to be on the other side of pregnancy! I'm so happy for all our Sept mamas and wish you all the best!

[Masel]

Baby is a week and a day old. Physically both of us are doing great. She had jaundice but only had to be on a bili bed for a day at the hospital. We only had to supplement a little and the LC was great about having me pump and getting those mL of colustrum into DD with a syringe. I'm below my pp weight and healing fine with the stitches. The much anticipated first poo was no problem.

Mentally its a different story. I screwed up at work in the last few weeks. I'm thinking of becoming a SAHP anyway but I didn't want to go out on this note. I saw the preview for the movie 2012 and it really disturbed me. I'm not one who believes in that kind of stuff but the visuals went right to my monkey brain and gave me nightmares. I also couldn't watch my favorite show because of the baby theme. For a few days looking at the computer gave me headaches which made me feel very cut off from my peeps. DD1 (age 3.75) has been an utter brat this week. DH goes back to work tomorrow and I'm a little concerned. DD1 goes to preschool.

Last night I got a lot of sleep and feel much better but the price was my DH (being very worried about me) fed baby some formula after the pumped milk. She has nursed fine today but I felt lighter when I woke up. I'm a primo candidate for PPD and am worried about where we are headed.

[skydancer]

It's so nice to finally be in this group!

5 days pp here. Physically, we're doing very well. Paige was almost back up to her birth weight after only four days.

This has been a tough transition for me, though. I just feel a bit overwhelmed. Our 2 year old has just recently started tantruming and all sorts of other behaviors that are pretty frustrating to us. The older two seem to be completely full of energy.

Dh was off from work last week after the birth but goes back tomorrow. I am really not sure how our morning is going to work out. If it were just our children, I would have more confidence, but I watch a little girl for about an hour before the bus and she gets wild. Then a neighbor drops her daughter off for me to put on the bus (I end up watching her for just 5-10 minutes, so it shouldn't be a big deal, right??). I'm wondering now, though, why I just can't say no to people and make my life a little easier.

Hopefully tomorrow will come and things will go so smoothly that I will wonder what I was worried about to begin with.

Good luck to all of you who are working through this transition as well, especially those with tough night-times or difficulty with nursing.