life with a babe thread - Page 6

[karen1968]

Originally Posted by DecemberSun

My little one has pink eye. She got it from her 4 yr old brother. I got her some drops, but I still feel so bad for her, it looks pretty uncomfortable. .

Have you tried breastmilk in her eye? I;ve heard it helps immensely

[lunadoula]

Oh Becca, big huge hugs mama! I am so sorry you are going through this. I haven't had the experience, but I really can understand how crappy this is. About the sitz baths - can you buy an actual sitz bath, at like a drug store, or online? I found it much, much easier to manage and to make myself do 2-3 times a day. It just sits on the toilet and they are like $5. I have some great herbal sitz bath and I have extra and would be happy to mail you some - just PM me if you are interested, ok? It really helps with the healing.


Edie has a cold and I was freaking out last night, but I called the Dr. and they said with no temp and her nursing well she likely is fine. But she just coughs and spits up mucous and it was upsetting. She's doing better now though, and I'm glad that now I know why she's been so fussy.

[Yo Becca]

Thanks for all the support, ladies. It's much appreciated. My IRL support system is pretty much non-existent at this point. Mostly b/c the people who would know what I need and would be willing to provide it have their own kids they are struggling to keep up with. Other people who could be helpful (like my mom) are clueless and just make me crazy anyway. And the DH being away is super tough, but I'm not allowed to complain about that (a rule I made for myself, which is very hard to follow). I have been able to get one sitz bath a day yesterday and today. The toilet-top one would make it easier - but we threw it away a few weeks ago b/c sitting like that was causing more pain than it relieved and I switched to the bathtub - I wasn't expecting to need to increase my frequency.

I'm also stressed out about my toddler too - I'm feeling like the worst mom in the world at the moment b/c of how She and I are getting along at the moment. We had a sweet moment at bedtime tonight that reminded me how it should be. My patience is awfully low these days

Be - the peri bottle is a good idea and much more feasable. You need to take it easier too - has the bleeding continued?

JKG - the brand of gripe water I got was GentleCare, and it has fennel, chamomille and ginger as the active ingredients. There was another brand at the store I went to, and I can't remember why i picked this one.

Beth - Sorry to hear about the cold! We all have one here too. Eli had snot running down his face yesterday . It's so sad when they are sick this young. I'm trying to speed the recovery for me and RObin with homeopathics. Saline spray and drops can do wonders for the infants (everyone, really) - I gotta get on top of that tomorrow...

[bemommy]

There are moments, hours, days (and sometimes weeks) when I feel like the worst mom ever. It was hell a week or so ago with Libby. I felt like all my time was spent saying, NO, STOP, DON'T, NOT NOW. It was so hard on her and hard on me as well. When I realized it I knew I needed to find a way to say yes, or at least find a way not to say no. It has helped so much. We're back on track, it takes a bit more energy from me but it's worth it. When things get bad I just let her play at the kitchen sink (she'll do that for over an hour).

Yes, I am still bleeding. . on and off. It's not real heavy, but not real light either. It's brown and bright pink sometimes red. No cramping, no clots. When I really take it easy it goes away. . .but it's impossible to take it completely easy for very long.

I hope that you heal up quick. Love and hugs to you.

Originally Posted by Yo Becca

I'm also stressed out about my toddler too - I'm feeling like the worst mom in the world at the moment b/c of how She and I are getting along at the moment. We had a sweet moment at bedtime tonight that reminded me how it should be. My patience is awfully low these days

Be - the peri bottle is a good idea and much more feasable. You need to take it easier too - has the bleeding continued?

[kdf]

I haven't posted in awhile. Eden is doing good. She is 12lbs 3 oz now and 23 1/2 inches. She is smiling and cooing a lot however she does have her fussy times. Every evening she is very fussy and cries a lot. During the day she wants to be held and worn but in the evening she wants to lie on the floor. She is a very good sleeper. I really luck out there. I am so happy that is a spring and we are having great weather so that I can get out.

[MamaAcorn]

Becca, I'm so sorry that you're struggling and having so many issues PP.

Things are so crazy around here with 3! Having a newborn and a 2yo is the hardest things I've ever done! Jackson is struggling so much with wanting to be a baby again and wanting to be a big boy. And I've been clashing so much with him. I really feel like I've been an awful, impatient mama lately, especially with ds2.

Izzy is such a dream baby. She's still sleeping a good amount, and about every third day she has more bouts of alertness and is starting to show off some of her personality. The other two days, she sleeps, only waking to eat or for a diaper change. And it shocks me how much noise she sleeps through! The boys arguing, the dog barking, and me yelling doesn't wake my sleeping beauty.

I had my 6-wk PP appt this week and I'm sooooo glad to be done with the birthcenter. We can now start writing letters of complaint about the main midwife and figure out if they owe us a refund since I didn't birth there. I'm just glad that I didn't have to deal with her at all PP and grateful for the part-time, only work on Tuesdays midwife.

[JennyClaire]

Originally Posted by bemommy

There are moments, hours, days (and sometimes weeks) when I feel like the worst mom ever. It was hell a week or so ago with Libby. I felt like all my time was spent saying, NO, STOP, DON'T, NOT NOW. It was so hard on her and hard on me as well. When I realized it I knew I needed to find a way to say yes, or at least find a way not to say no. It has helped so much. We're back on track, it takes a bit more energy from me but it's worth it. When things get bad I just let her play at the kitchen sink (she'll do that for over an hour).

Glad I'm not the only one. I feel like such a monster with Jamie sometimes, but he wants me to do EVERYTHING with him, and obviously I can't. The days that I'm able to be patient with him and get through a day without raising my voice (much) I am so proud. Still, in lots of ways I think it's good for him to be "de-throned."

I finally stopped bleeding about a week ago, but I still get strange sensations while taking my walks. This was the 1st time I tore bad enough to need stitches, and for a while my butt hurt and was bleeding (I think in one of the places I got a shot of lidocaine). I have had the same problem that many of you have mentioned with not being able to take the baths 2-3 times/day. My best efforts have allowed me a bath every 2-4 days!

Beth & Becca, sorry to hear about your baby's colds. DH is just getting over one, and I've moved a mattress out into the living room to sleep on with John so we don't get sick. Think I'll move it back tonight. However, since Jamie is still sleeping in there with DH, I drove out to the health food store today to get some strong echinacea for us. That's okay to take while BF, isn't it?

Regarding the tummy sleeping discussions, I have John sleep on his tummy about 60-70% of the time. DD will be 15 next week, and so of course she was a tummy sleeper, and I guess that is just what feels to me like the "natural" way for a baby to sleep. Sometimes I worry because of all of all the BACK-TO-SLEEP publicity, but babies can die on their backs too, so this cannot be the only cause. And I want this DC to be a "good" sleeper like his sister was, and not like his brother, who slept - if you can call it that - on his side most of the time as a newborn.

John's fussying and it's time to start supper. Bye.

[Yo Becca]

Beth - I forgot to say thank you for the offer of the sitz herbs. I went through one pack already, and today i bought a new batch of comfrey. I've been doing Epsom salts for about a week, but now will switch to the comfrey. But thank you for the offer - very kind.

I'm going to have my tear re-stitched this weekend by my HB MW. The CNM won't do it until I'm 6 weeks PP, and since I *know* it needs to be done, I'd rather have it done sooner than later. I'm definitley scared about what it will mean (fresh swelling and pain - yeehaw). But I think I'll feel better addressing it sooner rather than killing time for another 2 weeks.

Pam - what was you conflict with the birthcenter? Sounds rough - I feel your pain on trying to find a provider.

[mamafish9]

So little time... but I wanted to say, YoBecca, you can make a strong comfrey tea, pour it onto menstral pads, freeze them, then use them - a lot more portable than a sitz bath, and the cold feels very nice, especially if you are getting restitched (ouch ).

And now I must go sleep!!

[jkg]

Originally Posted by Yo Becca

I'm going to have my tear re-stitched this weekend by my HB MW. The CNM won't do it until I'm 6 weeks PP, and since I *know* it needs to be done, I'd rather have it done sooner than later. I'm definitley scared about what it will mean (fresh swelling and pain - yeehaw). But I think I'll feel better addressing it sooner rather than killing time for another 2 weeks.

good luck, Becca! I'm with you on getting this done sooner rather than later...hopefully this will eventually give you some much needed relief!

[Wild Flowers]

Becca, I hope that it goes well.s

I have something that will make ya'll laugh though. I am very happy to say that I started laughing even. So, we eced last time. And so we didn't have to change the sheets everytime she had an accident, I made up these towels lined with pul to sleep on. Well, Gwen has been spitting up so much that I actually put it on our bed. Last night, she hadn't been spitting up so much at ight so I told dh that I was going to take it off. He went down to the basement. I was nursing Gwen to sleep and I heard her poop. Well, since I have 4 wool covers on the clothes line right now drying, from her poop blowouts, I immediatly got a new diaper to change her. So I am sitting on the bed, her in front of me. I pull off her cover, take off the diaper, wet a wipe and start cleaning up the major poop all over her. I lift up her legs and poop starts to foam out her butt. And then it blows out ALL OVER ME. Yes, so both of my older dds are sleeping int he next room, my dh is all the way downstairs and I have poop all over me. When I say all over me, it was from my waist to my feet. I can't reach another diaper to even try to wipe it off of me. So I figure, who cares, I need to call for him. So I did, it took him awhile to hear me, but he did come up and hand me a few diapers to try to get some off of me. I ended up not getting any on our bed though. I took a shower and he cleaned her up. And I do think that it is a foremilk hindmilk thing. I had just stopped block nursing thinking that everything was alright now. I stopped a few days ago, and all yesterday she had on the greenish side poop and it was foaming out last night. She also was a little fussy last night, before the poop incident, and after she did that she was so happy and she slept so well. So anyone have a clue how long I have to block nurse? We have like tons of poop stories from the other girls. But I have to admit that I have never been poop on like that before. But I am still glad that I changed the diaper inbetween poops because it most likely would have gotten the cover if not and then I would be out of covers.

And I am not sure and I hate to say it almost. But I am feeling a little better mentally now. Like I am almost holding myself above water. It is either that or I have gone over tot he other side of insanity and just think that I am doing better Who knows?

[Astromom]

Paisley, chiming in late here, but dang woman! Rolling?!?! You've got one amazing boy there!

Beth, Becca, so sorry to hear about the babies' colds! (Miles is STILL having trouble getting over this cold that we got two weeks ago. DD never was sick this anywhere near this long. ) I hope your babes get better really quickly!!!

Becca, oh gosh. I am so sorry to hear of your troubles healing. I hope the restitching goes really quickly. I second what Mamafish said about the frozen pads. I made some when dd was born and they were great... I didn't do them this time because our freezer was just too cram-packed full.

JennyClaire, I am pretty sure Echinacea should be ok for you to take. Kellymom and other sites say it's generally safe for bf'ing mamas. I also asked my naturopath about it when I got sick and he said it was fine

Valerie, oh no that sounds so messy! I'm glad you can laugh though! I haven't had that exact experience but I can sort of relate in a way -- being an inexperienced diaper changer of a boy, I got drenched from head-to-toe too many times to count in the first few weeks. Oh and about block nursing, I notice when I try to go back to normal nursing, our problems start back up, so I am still block nursing and he is a bit over 2 months old.

Mamas, I need some diaper help!!!

So ds has grown out of his smalls. (2 months old and ~15 pounds!!) I went to buy some new dipes a couple days ago. I love my prefolds & covers, so I got more covers to go with the premium pfs I already bought a while back. But I really wanted some aio's too, so I bought some medium swaddlebees aios and some medium bumgenius aios. The BG are great- no leaks at all. The SB are . I had one on for 15 minutes and we were both soaked like he didn't even have a diaper on. They have leaked each time I've put him in them. They fit as tight as the BG (tighter actually, I think), and they look like they have the same number of layers (or more) as the BG, so what the heck is going on? Should I be washing them differently? A particular detergent? Any tips? Even though they say they fit 15-20 pounds, he just barely fits in them- he'll outgrow these really soon and it would be nice to get some use out of them. : (CD'ing for the first time here, so I really don't know anything! I could ask in the diaper forum but thought I'd ask you wise mamas first.)

[risen_joy]

Pink eye is gone now! My baby is getting so big. At two months she's 10 pounds even now. It's hard to believe that some of you mamas gave birth to babies this size!

I hear you there!! Marin was 9lb 8oz but I think just from having her natural I'll sometimes look at her and shudder from the memory of someone SO big coming out of me!!

Jenny - I have bumgenius and LOVE them!! Other than that I need to get some more wool covers - I have tons of prefolds but the wool covers I have are too small for my little chunk!

Glad I'm not the only one. I feel like such a monster with Jamie sometimes, but he wants me to do EVERYTHING with him, and obviously I can't. The days that I'm able to be patient with him and get through a day without raising my voice (much) I am so proud. Still, in lots of ways I think it's good for him to be "de-throned."

That is SO true for me and my Jamie!! :

Becca - I'm so sorry for all your troubles mama!! I'll be praying for you!! So whatever happened with your HBMW?? Did she say what happened or where she'd been? That would make me nervous to have her restitch what she botched in the first place. : But all in all - you do whatever you need to get through each day and help yourself heal!! You are a WONDERFUL mama and you deserve to have help, be treated, etc!!! I wish I could do more than just type something I hope will lift your spirits a bit!!!

[DecemberSun]

Astromom- I have never used SB or BG but I have to say that AIO's are not all they're cracked up to be. Sorry you're having trouble.

Still sending good vibes Becca's way...

Loved the poop story Wild Flowers.

[Nani]

Originally Posted by Wild Flowers

I had just stopped block nursing thinking that everything was alright now. I stopped a few days ago, and all yesterday she had on the greenish side poop and it was foaming out last night.

What is block nursing??

I had greenish foaming poop with Romea as well, what does it mean??

Astromom- I have some small BG's and I love them!! They don't leak at all for me either, even with 'megapoops", so I will buy more in medium size. Can you return the SB's and exchange them for BG's?

[Wild Flowers]

nursing on the same breast for a cetain amount of time. I do 4 hour blocks. So anytime in those 4 hours she will always nurse on the same side. It is to try and correct a foremilk/hindmilk inbalance. If they get too much foremilk, they will spit up more, be gassy and have greenish foaming poop. It is because the foremilk has so much lactose and it goes through their digstive system too quickly.

[Nani]

Wildflowers, I see! Hmmm, that makes sense! There is so much to learn in "poopology"!
How is the poop supposed to look like? Romea's has been green and foamy at times and then more yellow sometimes. Now she poops only every second day and it STINKS so bad that I almost throw up. It is mostly VERY liquid.
She nurses a lot and I also pump now, as she falls asleep at the boob a lot and doesn't empty it.

[Wild Flowers]

From what I have read, it isn't reccomended to pump before 6 weeks, unlesss you really need to, so your breasts regulate themselves. Poop can be many different colors, yellow, mustard tpe color, is what is considered normal newborn poop, usually it has some nice little curds in it also. It usually does not smell bad, and I swear, and I am not the nly one who thinks so, it smells like buttered popcorn That said, when I ws eating a lot of eggs, my dh was making me breakfaast in bed those first few days, she smelled horrible and was horribly gassy. Bt there is a wide range of normal. If you dc has a green poop now and then but is mainly happy, I wouldn't worry too much.

[seeing_stars]

Becca- I hope everything goes well this weekend with the stitching. I had a horrible upward tear that didn't heal right and had surgery 15 months PP to repair it. Take it easy! I know what it is like to feel disfigured and I am keeping you in my thoughts!


Holly will be 7 weeks old tomorrow. As of yesterday she had grown 3.5 inches and had gained almost 5 lbs (from a birthweight of 8.3)! She is such a good baby, sleeping well and making the cutest little noises and faces. She spits up ALL THE TIME. Luckily it doesn't seem to be painful, but I am doing so much laundry, it is insane. Do I need to do an elimination diet? The thought of being on a restrictive diet after having to diet for most of my pregnancy makes me want to cry

[Astromom]

Originally Posted by Nani

Astromom- I have some small BG's and I love them!! They don't leak at all for me either, even with 'megapoops", so I will buy more in medium size. Can you return the SB's and exchange them for BG's?

oh yeah, these bumgenius are wonderful! I wish I could trade the swaddlebees for the bumgenius but the store I bought them from won't take back washed diapers even though the majority of them are unused, and I am embarrassed to say I threw all the diapers in the wash to prep them as soon as I walked in the door with them .. I was too exuberant .. a costly mistake. I think SBs just don't work for us. I guess I could try to sell them, sigh..

seeing stars, wow holly gained quick! About the spitting up, maybe try keeping her upright for a while after she nurses?

oops, gotta run, good night mamas!