1) How old is your newborn?
Two weeks old today!
2) How is your nursing/FFing going?
Much better now. I have TONS of milk, and did some nipple damage trying to get a little mouth latched on to my enormous engorged breast in the first week, and have spent the week healing. Things are going much better- I had great advice and support from my husband and midwives to get things on track. Neela was re-weighed today...she was 6lb 14 oz at birth, 6 lb 12oz at one week, and is 7lb 14 1/2oz today!!!
3) What's your new one's sleep schedule (or lack of) like?
Generally she cluster feeds in the morning, feeds every few hours and sleeps in between during the day, then clusters again around "bedtime"- usually tons of feeding between 9pm and 1am or so... then sleeps pretty well with only one more feed during the night at about 4 or 5, waking to cluster feed again around 8 am. We call it "tanking up"- the hours of feeding around midnight are exhausting at times, but totally worth the payoff of a good night sleep.
4) How's the adjustment been for the family? Your DH?
Smoother than I expected all around. My husband has been amazingly supportive through the labour, birth and baby care. He gives Neela lots of attention, and is really good at changing diapers, cuddling and entertaining Neela while I look after myself. In the mornings I try to get up before her first feed to have a bath or shower and some "me" time (like 5 or 10 minutes), and she cuddles in the bed with my husband. Usually by the time I'm finished, she's awake, changed and ready for me to feed. I feel amazingly supported
5) How are you doing physically? Mentally/emotionally?
My sore nipples are on the mend. I have a couple of labial (ouch) stitches from Neela's hand presenting up beside her head- they were pretty tender for the first week, but doing much better now. I can't believe how quickly my belly disappeared- I had to dig out my old jeans this week. Emotionally things are going well, too. I haven't cried in over a week, and I'm feeling much better now that feeding is going well.
6) Any major issues/concerns/challenges?
Not really- still totally adjusting to life with a newborn. My sister is here helping out for a few days since my husband went back to work yesterday, and it's great to have help around. I'm still strategizing about how to accomplish things (like taking Neela out) for when I'm on my own without an extra set of hands...
7) Post a pic!
Finally I have some loaded- a couple from her first day (and her first bath), plus her first trip to the park on a sunny day (yes, there is a baby in that pile of fleece)
Neela photos
