Babies! (A thread for 'outies')

[eilonwy]

How's life with a new baby going in your neck of the woods? Round here, things are extremely complicated-- I'm trying to get things done, but it's really difficult because I keep falling asleep at random. I've also run a fever and (more than once) slept through when I was supposed to take a pill for pain, only to wake up in AGONY. In short, I'm still a space case and the tapioca hasn't even thickened enough to stop leaking from my ears.

Bear is absolutely beautiful. His skin is clearing up, he's looking super sweet and mini (despite being, as I mentioned, my biggest baby) and he's nursing to beat the band. I love having an "easy" nursling. He's very snuggly and I just love holding him. I missed the feeling of teeny tiny babyness so much! I'm bound and determined to enjoy this because he is the last baby. And now, I'm going to try to eat something, take some floravital, and sleep, perchance to dream.

[zaftigmama]

Congratulations Rynna!!

[BabyBump]

Life here is going very well. Aside from my daughter getting strep and not being able to snuggle with her brother for a day it's been good. We've made a couple outings with Eli and today I'm taking him grocery shopping by myself. He nurse great and only puts up a big fuss when it's time to change his diaper. We're getting the hang of cloth diapers, ordering some more BumGenius today as they have turned into my favorites. Eli's too. He's a definite snuggle bug and loves to lay on your chest for hours. I thought this was going to be the only baby for us, but I think both my husband and I are rethinking that.

[justmama]

Oh Rynna thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you! I didn't want to be the one to start a baby thread or post too much about my baby since everyone was still waiting. I didn't want everyone to get upset with me that my baby was here while they were all miserable and big and having pain. Now that there are lots of babies I feel better not being the only one. Gracie is doing awesome. She's probably nearing 7lbs now at 5 weeks old TODAY! I am still wiating for our due date to come and I think we'll celebrate with some cupcakes since it was Sara's due date too! But everyone is going well, just still adjusting to having 3 kiddos. I am overwhelmed trying to take them all somewhere. I go back to work next week so that's gonna be a lot more to deal with. Just really trying to enjoy my last week and take it all in and revel in the babyness of Grace since she's my last. I can't remember when I was able to take a shower last or make myself a decent dinner with all three traipsing around needing me. But I'm loving it. Truly.

[flapjack]

justmama, did nobody tell you about the power of the words "she's my last?"

Life here is generally going well. He's gaining weight terrifyingly well, but I'm still worried we seem to have a bit of an oversupply issue going on, as he's quite fussy at the boob and milk occasionally sprays out of his nose with some force. I'm going to try cluster feeding and see if that tames my supply a little- he rarely goes more than an hour between meals, so more frequently isn't too much of an option Oh, and my poor cherub is still jaundiced Alex had breastmilk jaundice and stayed yellow for ages, so I'm just hoping history doesn't repeat itself :

[justmama]

Originally Posted by flapjack

justmama, did nobody tell you about the power of the words "she's my last?"

Life here is generally going well. He's gaining weight terrifyingly well, but I'm still worried we seem to have a bit of an oversupply issue going on, as he's quite fussy at the boob and milk occasionally sprays out of his nose with some force. I'm going to try cluster feeding and see if that tames my supply a little- he rarely goes more than an hour between meals, so more frequently isn't too much of an option Oh, and my poor cherub is still jaundiced Alex had breastmilk jaundice and stayed yellow for ages, so I'm just hoping history doesn't repeat itself :

I have heard of that power of those words but you have to be doing soem babydancing to have it happen and by golly I'm QUITE single and far from any babydancing. : BUT rare is the time I can even take a pee by myself so I'm not sure I'd have time for anything of that nature even if there was a man in the house. Our token man is the cat and he's neutered so there's not much of another little one gracing our prescence. My little family is complete!

[operamommy]

Originally Posted by justmama

Oh Rynna thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you! I didn't want to be the one to start a baby thread or post too much about my baby since everyone was still waiting. I didn't want everyone to get upset with me that my baby was here while they were all miserable and big and having pain.

Silly lady! I'd wager that most of us LOVE hearing about those babes already born!!

[flapjack]

I'm serious.... Isaac was MY last

Am I a really bad person for keeping a bouncy chair in the bathtub so that I CAN pee by myself? (or at least, wipe freely and liberally as needed?) I think there's a balancing act between the needs of a postpartum mother and a newborn, and I'm not sure I've got it right.

[justmama]

I keep a bouncy seat in my living room(to bring into the kitchen for cooking purposes when I don't want to sling her or for toddler diaper changes in the living room) and there's a pack n play upstairs so I can pee or so she is safe while I shower without being bounced off the bed by her sisters or trampled on the floor by her sisters. You are so NOT a bad mama. It really is a balancing act, especially with bigger kids in the picture and ya know what? I like my showers! I get one every other day or so. I refuse to go longer without one. My ex comes over for a few minutes about 4-5 days a week to visit with the kids so he'll hold her while I shower or I do it while everyone is asleep for the night around midnight. But some days it's MUCH harder and that swing I was given that I thought I'd never need comes in handy. I am still having a hard time balancing the needs of all the little people around here without forgetting about myself.

[nausicaamom]

Originally Posted by flapjack

I'm serious.... Isaac was MY last

Am I a really bad person for keeping a bouncy chair in the bathtub so that I CAN pee by myself? (or at least, wipe freely and liberally as needed?) I think there's a balancing act between the needs of a postpartum mother and a newborn, and I'm not sure I've got it right.

Helen - when Michael's home, he'll entertain Alex in the bouncy downstairs while I make the mad dash to the bathroom. Otherwise, I set him on a blanket on the floor outside the bathroom while I pee (it's a small bathroom and he's maybe three feet from me).

Alex is definitely my last - while there is a part of me that would love another child, I have absolutely no desire to ever be pregnant again. Now that I'm over the worst of my section recovery, I am realizing just how hard being pregnant is on my body and how lovely being able to move freely and not being exhausted is.

Nursing seems to be going better - Alex has been gaining very slowly (got back to his discharge weight on Thursday) and somehow I managed to drop all of my pregnancy weight in 2 weeks which I'm sure had an impact on my supply. He's definitely seeming more satisfied these past two days since I've been making eating more of a priority. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that he'll be at the 20g/day the ped wants to see on Monday so I can stop obsessing about it.

[GreenRose]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Am I a really bad person for keeping a bouncy chair in the bathtub so that I CAN pee by myself? (or at least, wipe freely and liberally as needed?) I think there's a balancing act between the needs of a postpartum mother and a newborn, and I'm not sure I've got it right.

Oh, good idea.. if only our bathroom was big enough for one!
And I don't think it should be a balancing act.. i hear in japan -and maybe this was only once upon a time- but that the postpartum mother is treated like a newborn herself for 30days after birth.. really being looked after. Wouldn't that be nice! Although I can't complain.. DH has been really wonderful and I don't have to look after other kids at the same time. Don't know how you guys are doing that!

I'm still trying to perfect the art of the latch over here... yeowch do my nipples hurt. That and a couple days of engorgement and I can see why women go to the formula. But I think we're getting there.. and she's pooping all the time, so at least I know she's getting fed.

A bleeding question for someone... when should it stop? Or stop being red? It's not a lot, but I hear it's supposed to start turning brown after 4 days? I'm on day 5 ...

[ksera05]

I haven't been around much lately DH went back to work and I barely have time to go online much less write long posts But he's home and downstairs with DD and Levi is asleep in the bassinet (ssssshhh!!!!!! don't wake him!!!) so I get some time to type. (And then I'm going to take a shower...don't y'all feel special? You're rating above a shower right now! Haha! )

Levi is doing really well and I am too He is nursing like a champ. He does spit up a lot though - I'm beginning to wonder about the dreaded 'reflux' because he chokes on it on a regular basis, plus a few other signs He doesn't act like he's in pain though so my fingers are still crossed that he is just a spitter He's already above his birth weight at only 2 weeks old - he was 6lbs7oz this past week at the ped. Considering his sister is FTT this is wonderful.

I feel really good, I'm having some very minor issues with my incision but otherwise I'm great. I'm having to make sure I don't overdo it because I feel that good

Originally Posted by flapjack

I'm serious.... Isaac was MY last

Am I a really bad person for keeping a bouncy chair in the bathtub so that I CAN pee by myself? (or at least, wipe freely and liberally as needed?) I think there's a balancing act between the needs of a postpartum mother and a newborn, and I'm not sure I've got it right.

Um, not at all. We have a travel swing in our bathroom for that purpose

Originally Posted by nausicaamom

Alex is definitely my last - while there is a part of me that would love another child, I have absolutely no desire to ever be pregnant again. Now that I'm over the worst of my section recovery, I am realizing just how hard being pregnant is on my body and how lovely being able to move freely and not being exhausted is.

I know what you mean. Levi isn't our last but it will be a loooongggg time before I willingly sign up to be pregnant again. I'm in the same boat - now that I'm over the worst of the section recovery (which for me was only a couple of days, TBH), I'm realizing how hard pregnancy was on my body and how much I like being NOT pregnant. Heh.

Ok and now I'm off to shower

[Nikki Christina]

things are pretty perfect here!
im feeling tons better then i did the last month of pregnancy! no more pain. no more waking up every 45 mins at night. no more constantly feeling like i have to pee! & the cold that lingered for 2 1/2 weeks went away completely 2 days after birth.
engorgement is better today.
belly is unswelling nicely from my tubal & its just barely sore when you touch it.
only complaint is that i miss sex


baby Mia is perfect also!
sleeps 3-4 hour stretches at night. nurses like a greedy pig all day long. she never even lost much weight. she was 7 lbs 6 oz at birth, 7 lbs 2 oz when discharged 2 days later , & 7 lbs 5 oz friday.
she has the softest hair & skin.. i cant stop running my checks & lips over them.


we love our bouncy & dont feel 1 bit guilty about it. it looks so dang comfy i want 1 for myself (fisher price papasan)

my girls are always wanting to love on her also. esp kinley. this morning we were laying in bed & she kept saying "aww.. babies hand..aww babies feet.. aww babies nose" & kissing each one.
everyone kept insisting she was gonna be jealous because of her age, even though i insisted she would not ..

[flapjack]

Nikki Christina, I've successfully made it through four births without asking when we could "resume". I miss DH too. Sniff. Being serious, just HOW sore were you after the tubal? We're still discussing whether we're going to rely on FAM or go for something more drastic, or what the win-win situation is here.

Greenrose, I'm barely bleeding, but what there is is still bright red (9 days pp) I normally bleed bright red though, so I'm not really worrying yet.

Ksera, yay for your little nursing champ Don't rush to diagnose him with reflux, it could be the same problem I'm having with a very strong letdown...

Jenn, Justmama, glad to hear things are going well

[justmama]

Originally Posted by ksera05

Levi is doing really well and I am too He is nursing like a champ. He does spit up a lot though - I'm beginning to wonder about the dreaded 'reflux' because he chokes on it on a regular basis, plus a few other signs He doesn't act like he's in pain though so my fingers are still crossed that he is just a spitter He's already above his birth weight at only 2 weeks old - he was 6lbs7oz this past week at the ped. Considering his sister is FTT this is wonderful.

Grace is bordering on reflux too. She doens't seem like she's in PAIN per se but she spits up multiple times(projectile at least once or twice a day) after each feeding and it usually sprays out her nose at the same time. She does the choking too. It is a little concerning but again, like your little guy, she's gaining weight well. She's up to 7lbs now at 5weeks(from 4lbs 12oz at birth) so she's definitely gaining very well. I'm just frustrated with the barfing. I burp her well between sides while nursing and then again after and as long as she's upright for at least 20-30 minutes after the feeding, she's okay. When I have to lay her down in her bouncy seat to do something or even in her car seat, she spits up multiple times. That's the thing that concerns me. It's not just once, it's like at least 3-5 times after a single feeding. If I feed one breast only to cut down on the amt and increase the frequency, it doesn't change a darn thing.:

[justmama]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Nikki Christina, I've successfully made it through four births without asking when we could "resume". I miss DH too. Sniff. Being serious, just HOW sore were you after the tubal? We're still discussing whether we're going to rely on FAM or go for something more drastic, or what the win-win situation is here.

I was thinking of birth control too. I mean, I'm single. There's NO sex. But that doesn't mean I don't want to be thinking about it for the very far away future. I just don't want to be caught unawares.

[firecat]

hi! flapjack, looks like our babies share a birthday!

Things are going pretty well here except for the jaundice. We had to go back to the hospital for a night and then take a bili blanket home with us for a few days but that is over now and we seem to be out of the woods. Jackson had (has) a huge bone bruise on his head, from the way he came out and the suction cup. It is getting better but our ped thinks that is the cause of all his jaundice. So hopefully that is over... we have been sticking him in the sunlight now as much as we can and are thinking we will get some good news when we go back for our 2 week on thurs.

But he nurses great, and is hungry all the time. the breastfeeding is actually going really well, he makes it easy to get a good latch cause he opens super wide.

It has been hard to get a shower around here too! It snowed so much last week and the week before dh has been out shoveling the driveway, the roof and around our downstairs windows so he wasn't been helping me as much as I wanted. this weekend has been sunny so it is better. and I am making sure to nap more.

Tomorrow dh goes back to work so I will be by myself all day with Jackson. I think it will go well.

[operamommy]

firecat, ds2 also had jaundice (he had to be under lights for 8 days) - most likely due to the huge hematoma on his head from the vacuum extractor. We're *really* hoping to avoid that this time around.

I love reading about everyone's new babes!

[birthmommom]

Glad to hear about the mamas and babies are doing well.

Here things are ok, stressful. Dh is home and is such a wonderful help. Breastfeeding is not going so well. I cannot get Henry to latch on properly so my nipples are chapped and hurt. I cannot get him to pull down his bottom lip, he likes to tuck it under. I have been pumping and we are feeding him from a bottle. I don't really like it but at least he is eating. He is not however pooping, which is starting to concern me. He also has been kinda fussy today, he is more fussy at night then during the day. I am not giving up on breastfeeding but it is definently hard.

Now today i have diarreah (tmi) and my tummy is upset, not sure what that means. I love, love, love Henry and my dh and would not trade this for being pregnant.

[ksera05]

Originally Posted by flapjack

Ksera, yay for your little nursing champ Don't rush to diagnose him with reflux, it could be the same problem I'm having with a very strong letdown...

I've been wondering that too, if he's just getting too much to eat or if it is coming too quickly Do you know if it'd be overactive letdown though if I don't spray when I pull him off during it? I definitely had a bit of an oversupply in the beginning but it does seem to be coming down a bit.

Originally Posted by justmama

Grace is bordering on reflux too. She doens't seem like she's in PAIN per se but she spits up multiple times(projectile at least once or twice a day) after each feeding and it usually sprays out her nose at the same time. She does the choking too. It is a little concerning but again, like your little guy, she's gaining weight well. She's up to 7lbs now at 5weeks(from 4lbs 12oz at birth) so she's definitely gaining very well. I'm just frustrated with the barfing. I burp her well between sides while nursing and then again after and as long as she's upright for at least 20-30 minutes after the feeding, she's okay. When I have to lay her down in her bouncy seat to do something or even in her car seat, she spits up multiple times. That's the thing that concerns me. It's not just once, it's like at least 3-5 times after a single feeding. If I feed one breast only to cut down on the amt and increase the frequency, it doesn't change a darn thing.:

Yeah, it is really frustrating. Levi is spitting up about the same amount, although he always seems to wait for me to move him out of the range of the burp cloth to spit, haha! He's only projectiled a few times though. For me it's the choking as it comes back up that bothers me. Hopefully he's getting it all back out when he breathes it in.

Our jaundice finally resolved itself last Monday - hang in there, all of you dealing with it!