"Life w/Babe" check in, week of 5/29

[~*max*~]

Good morning May Mamas. It's time for a new check in thread. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying those beautiful babies.

We are doing great. Still working on the juggling routine of course, but we are figuring things out. One thing I have noticed is that our new baby gets overstimulated very easily. We have only gone out and had company a few times, but after those occasions she is really fussy and has trouble settling down & sleeping.

She is moving her arm a lot more (re: shoulder distocia), but I am still going to have her (and myself) adjusted by our chiropractor, whenever I can figure out a way to get in there w/the kids' busy schedules.

Oh, and we have thrush now too. Not fun, but I think we have it under control. I have battled this throughout my last couple newborn phases, so I know the drill. We started right out w/Diflucan to get it quickly under control & give us some relief. I am also taking Candex (a natural enzyme treatment)and will continue that on a maintenance dose long term. W/my last baby, any time my immune system was compromised by stress, lack of sleep, illness I would get thrush, until I started the Candex. That is an amazing remedy. I highly recommend it.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone else.

[luckylady]

Starting to get into a groove here too. DD seems to be getting a little better - I am just making sure that I spend LOTS of quality time with her and it seems to be making her feel better. I still feel guilty though - it's tough!

Weston is a wonderful baby! He sleeps so good, is so mellow compared to my DD! He is VERY alert and STRONG - he can already stand on his legs at 19 days old! He smiles at me all the time and I am DYING to weigh him. I am sure the little chunk has ganied 2 lbs or so!

No PPD still. YAY YAY YAY! And other than this excess weight I ganied during the first trimester, I feel terrific.

[mamacatsbaby]

We're doing pretty well for the most part here. Sayon's extremely gassy and fussy though and last night we were up till about 3 in the morning b/c he was crying and in such discomfort that he couldn't stay asleep. He finally let loose this monster poot accompanied by some poo, then promptly passed out. He'd been writhing about, taking little catnaps since about 6 that evening when he's used to 3 hour naps so my poor little guy's just exhausted. I read that's it's usually around 12 weeks when their digestive systems start to go a little more with the flow. I feel so aweful. Like I'm the one doing this to him as I suspect OAL on my part is a major part of the problem.

Unless he's trying to get some gas out, he's a happy little elf that just makes my heart sing.

[ecoteat]

Phoebe is amazing and perfect and wonderful. I am exhausted. I didn't know it was physically possible to be SO TIRED. I sleep when she sleeps as much as I can, but it's not enough. Or in chunks so small it hardly takes a dent out of the exhaustion. I've recovered from the birth (stitches don't hurt anymore, bleeding has stopped, I've lost almost all the weight I gained), but now I'm dealing with this. Since I feel most vulnerable and weepy when I'm tired, this has been a particularly challenging morning. My husband is wonderful and supportive and home all the time (WAHD). I don't know how single mothers manage!

Our MW thought Phoebe might have a little thrush, but the only symptom is some whiteness on her tongue, which I think might just be milk. She did have some diaper rash, but that cleared up pretty easily with cream and air, so that doesn't sound like a yeast rash to me. She is very easy to soothe and doesn't fuss much.

[truelife]

Still waiting for my little guy to make his arrival, but thought I would pop in and see how all of you were doing. Congrats on your sweeties and glad to hear you're all doing so well - with the exception of being tired!

You may of heard of this for gas, but when my DS was a newbie he had HORRIBLE gas that didn't go away no matter what I ate or didn't eat. Finally we did the Nux Vomica/Chamomille tincture and w/in 24 hours he was a totally different baby. I just took 10 pellets of each, put them in a baby food jar with distilled water, shook it up and gave him a few drops after he ate - problem solved!!!

Can't wait to post with you all instead of in the "Still Here Club!!!!"

[Marylizah]

Originally Posted by ~*max*~

One thing I have noticed is that our new baby gets overstimulated very easily. We have only gone out and had company a few times, but after those occasions she is really fussy and has trouble settling down & sleeping.

We're having the same problem here! That and baby hit a developmental milestone (he grew a ton and started holding up his head) and for about 3 days he was MAJORLY fussy and getting him to sleep was HARD.

The good news is that he's gained almost two pounds in the 12 days we've been home. That and my mom is here and is such a huge help. Since DH is back at work I don't know how I would manage without her....

Mamacatsbaby, sorry to hear about the gas. We saw the osteopath this weekend and it seems that it's now a little easier for George to get the gas out of his system-- burps are easier and the farts come more easily too. Might be worth looking into...

[Sydnee]

We are doing great here too! Alayna has been real fussy today though, and hasn't been going down very well for her nap, so I know she is over tired. We had a BUSY weekend, Saturday we had people over for a bonfire, and then Sunday we were at a grad party and then over to my inlaws for another fire. Although we left early, as Emma had heat exhaution, THAT was so scary, my poor babe. Fortunatley we got it under control without having to go to the ER, which was wonderful. Yesterday we were at some friends for the day, as DH helped them put up a swingset, and then over to our old neighbor's for a BBQ. So I think miss Alayna is overstimulated.

She did a 6 hour stretch 2 nights ago!! I hadn't had that much sleep in 10 months!!! I think over all, this has gone sooo much better than I thought it would. I remember being sooo exhausted with the other two, for weeks, and I honestly feel perfectly normal, and have for a couple weeks now. Maybe knowing that I have 2 others to take care of makes a difference??!!

Has anyone introduced a bottle yet? We try every couple days with Alayna, and she is doing so-so with it.

Max- I am amazed at how long it takes me to get out of the house! I have an appt. at 10:00 tomorrow morning, and I know that I have to be ready to go by at least 9:00, because just trying to get out the door takes and hour!!

Lucklady- I'm so glad she is getting better for you, that is such a hard thing to deal with!

Mamacatsbaby- Sorry baby is so miserable, have you tried gas drops? I know my Chiro sells some Hoeopathic ones, but I haven't checked them out yet.

Ecoteat- Rest, rest, rest, mama!! These babies are so very demanding, just take it easy, it will get better!

truelife- Good luck to you mama!!

Marylizah- What is an osteopath? It sounds like it would be a bone doctor

[Marylizah]

Originally Posted by Sydnee

Marylizah- What is an osteopath? It sounds like it would be a bone doctor

That's exactly what it is!

They do cranial-sacral therapy-- basically they touch you (not really massage, not like a chiropractor either) to put things back into place that are out of place. They're pretty popular here in France as an alternative to mainstream medicine.

I don't think they are as present in the US... But they do exist.

Am completely exhausted : maybe someone else has a better explanation?

[gnutter]

Wyatt actually slept most of the night last night. I felt so much better today after some semi solid sleep!! HE woke up twice to nurse and didn't need but one diaper change I even had a dream! HE is so cute when he is sleeping though-when I am with him I let him sleep on his belly and it seems to be his favorite position-he tucks his little feet under him and lays with his hands under his chin-I imagine that is about how he would have looked in utero.

oh hey look at the cute new smilies!!: : these are new right?
LOL! I am easily entertained.

Things are feeling very normal now-I do wish it wasn't so hot outside right now so he could be outside more. I take him out in the evenings and he is just so alert when we go outside! I can't believe he will be 1 month old on Sunday!

[Peppamint]

Hey mamas... I'm so won't be saying much (that's abnormal for me, eh? ). Audrey had her 2w WBC today... she's up to 8lb 2oz which means she gained 12oz in 14 days.

Has anyone introduced a bottle yet? We try every couple days with Alayna, and she is doing so-so with it.

I don't think we will unless we have to give dd ebm during my friend's wedding ceremony in July (I'm matron of honor)... it's just easier (IMO) to nurse all the time.

Anyone else's baby girl engorged? My poor Audrey is, I don't remember Elana having any engorgement...

mcb- I hope Sayon's gassiness gets better. We're still working on Audrey's... it's getting better though, even though she puked all down my back last night when I burped her in bed (she was making noises so I knew she needed to burp). Unfortunately I think I had her tummy to far up on my shoulder and she just send puke down my cleavage and back.

[Bellasmom]

Originally Posted by Marylizah

I don't think they are as present in the US... But they do exist.

As far as osteopaths go, it depends on where you are I think - here they are all mixed in with MD's as far as hospitals and practices are concerned. Just look for someone with DO instead of MD after his/her name. Not all of them do much osteopathic manipulation though, so it's best to ask when you call.

[Sydnee]

I need for her to take a bottle when we are gone, I am one that has to get away every so often and feel like a person, other than a milk bar. With Emma, she never took a bottle, so it was very stressful on me, as I couldn't really ever get away. So I wanted to start early with Alayna, just so she get's used to it.

[Marylizah]

I have a confession to make-- please don't flame me!!

I am not enjoying breastfeeding.

It hurts-- after each feeding my nipples feel like they've been through the garbage disposal. And he eats what seems like all the time (even though he's really started spacing out the feedings). I'd always heard what great bonding bfing is, what a special relationship, etc. But I feel like a cow and he's like this little machine that chugs away until the tank is full, then he pops off.

:

I'm obviously not going to stop until he weans himself, but I have to say I'm a little depressed at the thought of possibly a couple of years of this....

[Unreal]

aww Marylizah

Have you been to any LLL meetings or anything like that?
I know my 3yo has a funky latch now since he is so big--and that hurts.. a lot...
and I have overactive letdown...so Andrew has a really lazy latch, since he barely has to do anything to get drowned in milk....
but breastfeeding shouldn't leave your nipples hurting like that. Not if there is a good latch.

The cow feeling...eh...that is harder to get rid of. I go through that a lot. And wishing i could be dry for JUST 10 minutes--between getting peed on, spit-up on, and leaking milk EVERYWHERE.
I am so tired of my shirts being wet. lilypads leak...breast pads leak...
washclothes work well, but I am NOT going to walk out of the house with washclothes stuffed in my bra

I feel worst when I'm trying to do stuff that requires two hands and I can't because Andrew is nursing

I feel best when we are both laying in bed and I can just relax and watch him and just be--kwim?

Anyhow..we're doing okay--he's gained 4 pounds in 6 weeks!!!! and is a little chub now.
He's got a sweet temperment and loves to smile
We just got some Gripe water to see if that helps his gas and discomfort--he doesn't poop after every nursing like the other kids did, so when he goes...he really goes.
But before that, he is very uncomfortable

Both big brothers adore him and are so helpful. Now if only they would help with stuff like cleaning up the house.
I am SO glad I decided to buy a curriculum for homeschooling next year. We've always made our own--but I just knew with work and the 3yo and the babe, I wasn't going to be able to come up with everything

This weekend is my Birthworks workshop But it is nearly 6 hours from home. Not my idea of fun with a 6 week old babe, but we'll get through it.
I'm trying to make enough pocket dipes to get through a day or so of diapering.
I can handwash those and hang them to dry inthe hotel room. I *hate* doing dipes in the laudromat.

okay--now I've written a book

Here's a pic of Andrew from 2 weeks ago
I need to get some new pics online

[Mom2Adam]

marylizah

it will get better! Keep working on latch - get help! Call LLL or LC. It is okay that you feel this way! When nursing is painful it is not fun! But as baby grows and as your latch improves, you will see great returns....

We are doing okay here 11 days PP. We have some latch issues too - but are working on them (DS doesn't like to poke his tongue out...so I am getting gummed sometimes!). Also haven't had a weight check yet, so No idea how much he has grown. We go tomorrow, which will either reassure me or worry me....hmmmmmm. Plenty of wet dipes and always at least two huge blowouts. (like Unreals son!)

DS #1 is doing well, considering. He has been hitting us tho (DH and I) and DH went back to work yesterday so both mornings have been tough (DS woke at 5:30 this am when daddy was getting ready and had a huge meltdown). DH had really taken on a lot of the care of DS#1, playing with, bathing, dressing, etc...since Oscar was born. Still, I try to put Oscar down and spend time with DS1 when appropriate (yeah, right...put Oscar down..not happening!). We also read alot!

Haven't been out yet, not sure when I feel up to doing that. I am completely recovered (except still bleeding... ) but am a little freaked out about taking both out! We live in the country (about 30 mins from anything) and so the drive itself could be interesting....:

Sounds like most mamas are doing great...and getting out and stuff.

That's all for us, oh...no PPD and I was expecting it because had a lot during my pregnancy.

T

[mamacatsbaby]

Thanks mamas! Since I started working on trying to tame this OAL Sayon's doing much better. I'm sure he's thinking "Well it's about time you figured this out mama, sheesh! " He's tootin' up a storm, not even stinky, yay BM! He's only choked once maybe in the past 2 days, no vomiting. His tummy still appears to cramp up some though when he 1st starts eating, especially if it's been a while. I'm trying to see if laying him on his tummy helps with that.

And as an added bonus the leakiness seems to occur only if I'm engorged. Sweet! My little Milky Face can let loose some pretty giant poops himself! Though yesterday he nursed all-day-long seemingly nonstop : so the poops decided to behave themselves and stay inside the dipes.

Hugs Marylizah. I was pretty sore in the beginning too. Hang in there mama.

Good luck at your Birthworks workshop Unreal!

Ack! I'd like to say more but DS wants eating NOW and DH wants to online Poker so gotta go.

[Snowdrift]

I'm going a little bit insane. Ellie has decided today is screaming day. So far she has two modes: nursing and crying. Since 4 am. Non-stop.

I have to go to the bank today. I have to eat something at some point. I've been trying to get dressed since 8 am. With no succes. So far we've changed four diapers, nursed three times, and dirtied one of my shirts holdsing her in a wierd position in yet another futile attempt to stop the crying for just a minute.

I haven't had anything to eat today. I can't seem to get away from the screaming for even a minute. Right now he's in my lap writhing and screaming. It's probably something aobut my milk--she's probably havign gas issues cuz she' slows down to being merely fussy if I hold her just right and pat her back just right but I'm going nuts. There's only so long I can handle holding my arms in the same position, undressed and with not food. I don't even have anything to drink since the water is still in the car and I can't seem to get dressed. Since 8 am.

And DH has class tonight, so after he left at 8 am I am on my own until 11 or so tonight. I could handle this if I could go out and get some things done but so far it's just me and screaming baby and no clothes and no food.

[gnutter]

Wyatt is one gassy baby too! My 6 yo ds thinks it is the funniest thing-so hey at least they are bonding. The funny thing is that he doesn't seem to mind it at all-he doesn't fuss about it until right before he poots! You'll hear one little fussy yelp and then he will let out a loud poot! My 6yo has informed that they aren't smelly though I personally haven't investigated that yet.


Marylizah -BFing is so hard at first! With ds#2 Ifelt a lot like you did. He went from 9lbs to 12 lbs in the first 2 weeks. He nursed constantly. My nipples hurt all the time and let down hurt! If you can stick out four more weeks though it will get better. Once the feedings start spacing out you will get a break. call and find out about LLL. you will find that the way you feel is really ok. I have always had trouble dealing with the length of time it takes to nurse. I am a little hyperactive and always doing three things at once. Nursing takes forever in my world. I have really had to learn and slow down a lot and enjoy nursing-its the closest I have ever come to meditation.

oh yeah-the cow thing---me too-I smell like milk all the time--cats are going to start following me home!!

Lots of hugs to everyone. having a baby is a huge life change!! I had forgotten what a shift it is. I love it and love him-but wow! we have babies!!!

[gnutter]

Originally Posted by tie-dyed

I'm going a little bit insane. Ellie has decided today is screaming day. So far she has two modes: nursing and crying. Since 4 am. Non-stop.

sending you lots of hugs!!! I went through the crying with ds#1. that is hard hard-especially when you are losing so much sleep.

Is she gassy? We all seem to be having that problem lately~~

[Peppamint]

Originally Posted by gnutter

oh yeah-the cow thing---me too-I smell like milk all the time--cats are going to start following me home!!

My mom's puppy and goats constantly sniff my chest. :