Post-Partum Recovery Discussion - Page 6 « Back to Group Discussions

[cristeen]

Gotta make it quick, sorry for the brevity. I'll bb tomorrow w an update.

LHM - clicking is bad latch. Try Virginia Thompson (?) of LLL in Alameda or Patty Jacobs of BF USA, also in Alameda. Neither group charges, and they may know someone a little closer or be able to help over the phone.

[sosurreal09]

Excessive spit up is fine as long as they are gaining and happy, wet nappies etc. If she's in pain I would eliminate dairy.

I second Forrest about the clicking!

[Just1More]

I poured a 1/3 of a cup of water on a washcloth.  I've heard to do that with 2c to see how much blood is too much postpartum, but have never done it.  Anyway, I was really surprised to see how much it looked like. 

I did buy a fish scale, and she gained 1/4 pound in a day, so I think we're good on that score.  Little girl is looking pudgier, too.  So cute.

I'll third the clicking...bad latch.

[Astraia]

I had a clicky nurser, too. DD was excessively clicky, and had a latch like a steel trap. So she'd latch too shallowly and then I'd have to jam my finger in between her gums to try to pry her mouth open so I could get her to let go and relatch properly- I was so horribly blistered the first few weeks, it was really painful. I was very insistent about waiting until her mouth was open very wide before letting her latch, and taking her off right away if she slipped and she figured it out eventually. Both of my sons are apparently clicky sometimes, but not always. I just readjust and it works out.

DD also clicked more when the flow was very fast, and I think a bad latch was her way of controlling my overactive letdown or whatever it was- when I was more engorged she would often choke a bit while trying to nurse, and then she'd latch on to just the nipple if she could and start clicking.  Everett does the same thing now too- if he's sleepy and not hungry and is just trying to comfort nurse but stuff keeps coming out (!) then he clicks and tries for a very shallow latch.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by Just1More 

I poured a 1/3 of a cup of water on a washcloth.  I've heard to do that with 2c to see how much blood is too much postpartum, but have never done it.  Anyway, I was really surprised to see how much it looked like. 

I did buy a fish scale, and she gained 1/4 pound in a day, so I think we're good on that score.  Little girl is looking pudgier, too.  So cute.

I'll third the clicking...bad latch.

I keep meaning to test that out too. Maybe I will someday?

Yay for pudgier!

[Kamiro]

mw coming over to check my breasts. had a really painful swelling under my nipple. its as big as my nipple (which isnt that big really) and it was soooo painful..last night i squeeezed something out of it gross. so i put tea tree oil on it and bandaged it.

mw be here soon. hurts.

[forestmushroom]

Originally Posted by Onemoreontheway 

mw coming over to check my breasts. had a really painful swelling under my nipple. its as big as my nipple (which isnt that big really) and it was soooo painful..last night i squeeezed something out of it gross. so i put tea tree oil on it and bandaged it.

mw be here soon. hurts.

ugh, sounds mastitis .... hope it is better soon!

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by forestmushroom 
 ... here is a bit from kelly mom: http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/clicking-when-nursing/ can you get support from a lactation consultant that doesn't cost $$?  If the issues are the same and not resolved from the last consultation, will the LC see you again for free?  I hope you can get it all worked out!  Maybe your ped can help, too?

Thanks for the link Forest! This says clicking can also be due to oversupply or engorgement. It actually means that the baby is breaking the latch. I had this problem with Aria and started doing block feeding. It helped tremendously, and also cut down on her gassiness and fussing.

[Astraia]

Originally Posted by alittlesandy 

Thanks for the link Forest! This says clicking can also be due to oversupply or engorgement. It actually means that the baby is breaking the latch. I had this problem with Aria and started doing block feeding. It helped tremendously, and also cut down on her gassiness and fussing.

Yup! That was my DD. Now with #3 I sort of automatically block feed without thinking about it, and haven't run into any problems yet.

[smilingsara]

Originally Posted by lightheartedmom 

Does anyone else's baby make clicking noises when they're nursing? You'd think I'd know what I'm doing...this being my third baby and all...but I feel like it's actually a lot harder getting bf'ing established this time. DD doesn't want to latch on to a big mouthful of boob, she just goes for the nipple and even when I adjust, she usually slips back down to just nip. And she clicks constantly which I think is making her more gassy (she's already reacted to tomatoes which sucks because I was really enjoying fresh tomatoes...and eating them daily until she was born). I had really cracked and blistered nipples for days and with lots of lanolin and those medela nipple shields (the LC in the hospital gave them to me), they sort of healed up and it seemed like things were on the right track for a bit...but the soreness is coming back and I'm really engorged...I'm worried that with three kids I'm not getting enough time to just relax and get things established...shes gaining really well (we'll weigh her tomorrow at her one week appt...even though shes almost 2 weeks already).
My other two I always had some severe soreness in the beginning (I spoke to an LC on the phone the other day who insists that it's not supposed to hurt and clearly I'm doing something wrong...but I cant pay $115 for a consult so...) but I don't remember it lasting this long.
Other than that and an expected amount of sleep deprivation, and a lot of impatience with the older ones, we're doing great. Just wish I could find my groove with bf'ing. Soon.

My nipple were also really sore and still are for the Initial latch on of most nursings. Mine were so bad the blistered and bled a few days after we got home from the hospital.

My LLL leader said its totally normal to have some soreness for a few weeks after the baby is born, and that some women will have it for a few months.

Hope you heal up soon!

[sosurreal09]

How do your babies nap? Sadie wants to nap in the sling which is all and well but every time her sis talks too loud she is up screaming. I try to nurse her to sleep in the bed and she is fine for 15mins...then she tries to feel for me and freaks. Hates the swing/bouncer or anything like that.
 

[rozziemama]

At two weeks now little Kai seems to be getting over the day/night confusion with a lot more alert time during the day - but only really sleeping on me - either in my arms or on my chest or in the wrap.
As soon as I try to out him down he wakes up - vs at night... At 7:30-ish I'll put him in the little Moses basket and he will sleep soundly for 4+ hours. Go figure.
Now, if only I could get him to go BACK to sleep just as peacefully once he wakes up to nurse around 11-11:30, I'd be a much happier, less strung out mama. :/. He is a LOUD BABY. Anyone else have loud grunters?

Also regarding nipples - mine were cracked and bloody (gross and ouch!) when my milk came in. So awful. I was freaked out-- but they healed once the engorgement died down. I used Medela lanolin after every feeding. I was on verge of tears before each feeding, thank god that's done.

And finally, I know it's just been two weeks but I'm starting to get antsy about my post partum body... I think this is wrapped up in some baby blues for me - was with DS1 as well - I feel so insecure about my pp belly/body and it makes it hard for me to feel comfortable interacting with people. Is that crazy or what?! I just gave birth to a 9+ lb baby two weeks ago for goodness sake. But I hate the phantom pregnancy belly - empty, flabby weird... I am finally seeing my wonderful therapist tomorrow so hopefully I'll work this out a bit. It feels very vain to be focused on how my body looks, but it just is super hard for me for some reason and I can't help but feel its deeper than vanity -- but who knows...



 
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[sosurreal09]

I'm feeling antsy about my bod too
 

[rozziemama]

Good to know I'm not alone...

Originally Posted by sosurreal09 

I'm feeling antsy about my bod too

 

[Astraia]

This baby doesn't really grunt- he goes from content to crying very very loudly in the space of about 3 seconds, so I need to do what he wants FAST to help prevent other kids from waking up. Although a lot of the time I think he just wants to cry, which makes it hard :(

Are you swaddling at all? I wasn't because my other two didn't like it and it's so danged hot (or was- kinda chilly today actually!) but he sleeps MUCH better swaddled up. It didn't really occur to me to try it until I realized he fell asleep in my arms when he was mostly immobilized.

[cristeen]

I agree with Astraia - try swaddling if you haven't.  With a real blanket - IME most "swaddlers" don't immobilize well enough. 

Although I will say the first day or so putting E down she'd object as soon as she hit the bassinet, but as soon as I put the sheep skin down in the bassinet she stopped objecting to it. 

[alittlesandy]

I concur with the swaddling. For Aria it has become a sleeping "cue." She will fall asleep within minutes of being swaddled. And I second Cristeen that it has to be a TIGHT swaddle so they can't bust out of it, lol.

I've also found that if I nurse her and hold her with a fluffy blanket folded under her body, it makes it much easier to "transfer" her without waking her up. Sometimes babies will wake because of the change in temperature or texture.

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by rozziemama 

Good to know I'm not alone...

Originally Posted by sosurreal09 

I'm feeling antsy about my bod too
 

Oh, my body. My stomach is FINALLY going down after five weeks, but is still puffy. And I hate the way my linea nigra looks when I'm not pregnant. I can't remember how long it took to fade after I had my son. Also? My belly button? Something has gone terribly wrong with my belly button. Looking at it makes me want to vomit, lol.

[Just1More]

Me, too!

I am 2 wks today, and i would really like to exercise! Go for a long walk, anything! But, I had some minor prolapse issues after my last baby, so I am trying to be diligent about belly binding, and taking it easy for the full 6 weeks. No heavy lifting, sitting a lot...which is a little difficult because of ds needing carried, and moving, but I'm doing the best I can.

I gain a lot when I am pg, though I do loose it quickly. I'm happy to report I'm still dropping about 2 lbs a day. I wonder how long that will last. I have 50 that I would like to see go. That's prebaby wedding weight though. I would be at a healthy weight 25 down, and feel pretty awesome at 30 to 40.

Patience. Patience...

Sigh.

[rozziemama]

We are terrible swaddlers. It's been hot, Kai busts out of every swaddle, and we feel terrible getting him in there because he seems to love having his hands at his face... But I know that swaddling is important and effective. Maybe I'll swaddle him in just his diaper with a muslin blanket so it's not too hot? And where do I get the sheepskin... Although that might be terrible in Boston summer heat. I think something soft under him would be nice though...

Originally Posted by cristeen 

I agree with Astraia - try swaddling if you haven't.  With a real blanket - IME most "swaddlers" don't immobilize well enough. 

Although I will say the first day or so putting E down she'd object as soon as she hit the bassinet, but as soon as I put the sheep skin down in the bassinet she stopped objecting to it.