May/June Chat Thread - Page 3 « Back to Group Discussions

[copper.kettle]

Hi ladies!  I lurk every single day, but it's always in the morning when I'm trying to get Jeb's pancake, feed Will his yogurt/avocado mixture, and choke down a cup of coffee all at the same time, so my hands never get free to type. (In fact right this minute Will is trying to crawl all over me and get at the laptop and Jeb is "fixing" my hair)

So I'll have to be quick!

We are doing all the same pulling up, cruising, teething, sleeping like shit some nights as y'all :)

I have baby fever in a big way.  Like, it's almost uncomfortable.  I don't have AF back yet, nor have I seen any signs of fertility.  We just used w/d.  DH says no more babies, and I'm just hoping in another year or so he'll be more open to the idea.  I don't ever ask or talk about it, out of respect for his feelings, and I would never try to talk him in to another baby, I just, *sigh*, really hope this is not the last time I snuggle a 10 month old.  If  we are done, sobeit.  Life raising 2 boys can be pretty darn fun.... I just think life raising 3 boys would be even MORE fun ;) 

My real question for you ladies is about supply.  Like, mine feels like it is getting so low.  I work 2 days/week, and I am pumping about half of what I was able to pump even a month or so ago.  A few things have changed, mainly that Will doesn't like to nurse much during the day.  He is so distractable, and I can't lay around on my bed nursing him all day!  Even when he gets hurt, he looks at me like I'm crazy when I try to nurse him to soothe him!  He pulls away and looks at me like "why in the hell would I want to nurse right now?  I just bumped my head!  What does that have to do with nursing?"  LOL!  He does nurse a lot at night, and makes plenty of pee and acts fine and def isn't dehydrated, I just... IDK.  He's so not the boob-maniac that Jeb was so this all seems foreign to me.  I don't see him nursing to 2+ like Jeb did, which is all fine with me.  Maybe I'm about to get AF?  Or is this just a natural sort of decline as they get older?  Anyone else noticing a decreased supply?

[Beckily]

others have noted the supply drop on FB ! I don't have it so i didn't read.
I'm wanting another now ,too ! but waiting ,waiting !
this tablet sucks to type in mdc ,sorry !

[cat13]

kettle, I get the same reaction from River when he's upset. If I try to get him on my lap and nurse him like that, he arches his back and tries to fly out of my arms! 

As for pumping, how much are you getting/how many pumps/how much does he eat? A few months ago I noticed a pretty big dip, but I realized that it was a combination of my supply evening out (I had a bit of an oversupply) and DH overfeeding River during the day. Now I make the exact amt that he eats during the day +/- an ounce or two. To me, that's the goal, although it can be tough if you are used to adding to the freezer every week. How is your DS acting? Diapers? Weight? milestones? From everything I've read, those are the things to look for when determining if your supply is really low or not. 

Also, how is he with solids? I think that DS is starting to replace some of his BM consumption with solids. Not too much and not everyday, but I notice it. A few months ago, DH struggled to keep him at eating only 10-12 oz of bm while I was working a full shift, and now he sometimes eats only 8 and then doesn't even want to nurse first thing when I get home liike usual. Unfortunately his night nursing is still very often! 

[copper.kettle]

Cat, I work 12 hour shifts.  I pump 3 times while I'm at work, and I used to bring home about 14-15 oz.  He would eat 3-4 4oz bottles in that time so it was all even.  Now I still tell whoever is caring for him (DH or sitter) to make sure he's getting at least 3 bottles.  He loves food so much, he would be happy with only 2 bottles when I'm gone, but I just don't feel like that's enough.  Yesterday when I worked I only came home with 7 oz!!  When I work a night shift I usually pump more; tonight is my first night shift since I've noticed the dip, so I'm interested to see what happens.  I just pumped 10 minutes ago and got 4 oz.  I haven't gotten 4 oz in one session in WEEKS.  He's growing and peeing and happy as ever, so I think I'm just going to not worry about it.  Esp since I only work 2days/week. 

[cat13]

That's a pretty big dip... have you had your first period yet after the baby? I always notice a dip the week before AF, and have been taking CalMag (scroll to bottom) which helps a bit. I've also had good luck with More Milk Plus. How long has this been going on? My guess is that it's hormonal and will go back to normal soon. 

[mareseatoats]

Anyone else into the "I scream through diaper changes" phase? I wasn't expecting it this early.

Malcolm stood up for about 10 seconds today all by himself, not holding onto anything! He's getting around so well. He's been really enjoying the slip 'n slide we set up in the front yard.

I've been having absolutely zero sex drive and a lot of discomfort with sex and so I went to the doc and she said it's really normal. That at this point it's almost like menopause because we had so much estrogen during pregnancy and with breastfeeding you have the lowest you'll have until menopause. So she gave me these little estrogen pills you put up your hoo-ha and I really do feel like there's been a difference (with the pain at least, I think the increase in desire is probably just psychological). But anyway, I was glad there was some sort of fix.

[Baby_Cakes]

copper - I would look into something simple like More milk plus or eating some oatmeal for breakfast for a week or so to see if you can get those numbers up.  Im sure everything is fine, but you might want to just see if you can catch in now ... before/just in case, it gets more serious.  Are you hydrated? 

Mares - oh yesss!!  diaper changes -- you'd think I was trying to kill him!  He hates them.  Takes longer b/c he kicks and I can't get the snaps done quickly enough!!!

Interesting about the hormones.  I'm happy the pills see to work for you.  I don't have any pain, but I have zero drive as well.  I usually need what I call a "push start".  It really takes a bit of time, extra attention, actual foreplay not just poking me in the hoohah, and then I'm good to go.  Still...only managing maybe twice a month if I'm being generous.

I think our issues are more relationship related, though.

You guys remember my bff?  She tested this morning and bfp!  She's expecting baby #2!  Im excited for her, but as always it's bittersweet for me ...first try and she's pg...sometimes it feels like her life is just ....sunshine and rainbows.  And mine always has a dark cloud hovering close by.   

[Tear78]

It's very helpful to hear about the hormones: similar experiences here, too. Also, along the lines of what Carrie was saying, I remember my sister saying to try not to get pregnant during the first year of our marriage because having a baby is such a difficult first year for a relationship. It's wonderful and full of joy regarding the baby, but the relationship part is straining. I definitely understand that better now.

DD is definitely really squirmy at times during diaper changes, but not screaming yet. I try to keep a toy on hand and also put on the rotating projector on the ceiling. That gets her still and happy almost every time. OK, I'm off to try to post a pic on the picture thread!

[mareseatoats]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

copper - I would look into something simple like More milk plus or eating some oatmeal for breakfast for a week or so to see if you can get those numbers up.  Im sure everything is fine, but you might want to just see if you can catch in now ... before/just in case, it gets more serious.  Are you hydrated? 

Mares - oh yesss!!  diaper changes -- you'd think I was trying to kill him!  He hates them.  Takes longer b/c he kicks and I can't get the snaps done quickly enough!!!

Interesting about the hormones.  I'm happy the pills see to work for you.  I don't have any pain, but I have zero drive as well.  I usually need what I call a "push start".  It really takes a bit of time, extra attention, actual foreplay not just poking me in the hoohah, and then I'm good to go.  Still...only managing maybe twice a month if I'm being generous.

I think our issues are more relationship related, though.

You guys remember my bff?  She tested this morning and bfp!  She's expecting baby #2!  Im excited for her, but as always it's bittersweet for me ...first try and she's pg...sometimes it feels like her life is just ....sunshine and rainbows.  And mine always has a dark cloud hovering close by.   

haha that's what DH tries to do too. I always get this intense impulse to slap his hands away. You can not go straight for the gold! I think relationship issues are a playing a big part in the desire area, too.

I definitely, DEFINITELY understand what you mean about the dark clouds hovering close by. My best friend seems to have a charmed life, too. The last time we saw her she was talking about how she was having to plan her wedding on a budget, that her parents only gave her "a little bit". Come to find out they gave her $10,000. Oh my god. We literally have at least a week of absolutely no money a month. We had to borrow money to make rent and... wth. Anyway, I'm sorry you're feeling that way. It sucks and it's really hard to talk about, isn't it?

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by mareseatoats 

haha that's what DH tries to do too. I always get this intense impulse to slap his hands away. 

I definitely, DEFINITELY understand what you mean about the dark clouds hovering close by. My best friend seems to have a charmed life, too. The last time we saw her she was talking about how she was having to plan her wedding on a budget, that her parents only gave her "a little bit". Come to find out they gave her $10,000. Oh my god. We literally have at least a week of absolutely no money a month. We had to borrow money to make rent and... wth. Anyway, I'm sorry you're feeling that way. It sucks and it's really hard to talk about, isn't it?

Re: the bolded - YES!!  Oh man, yes.  And quite frankly, most of the time I do!!  LOL!!  But sometimes, I grit my teeth and just go with it == and if I let go and get out of my head, it's actually kind of nice.  

Charmed life - that's exactly how I would put it!!  She never has to work for anything, things are just given to her or always come easily.  She seems to have no cares in the world.  But.  I know it's got to be just a case of grass being greener.  Or, she only lets me see what she wants me to see.  I know things cannot be that wonderful for someone all the time.  I just can't imagine waking up feeling like a princess in a castle with everything every day.  It bothers me so much.

But yes it's hard to talk about b/c it feels like sour grapes.  It isn't...I don't think.  I don't want her life.  I want to be grounded in real life (like I am already) and I like who I am and I love my family.  I just...gah...sometimes I just wish she would have to work at something!  If that makes me a terrible person, so be it!