No, really, it's perfectly normal

[19spitfire]

As you know ds was born July 25th. There have been a few things that I wonder "What is this? Is he sick? Do I have to take him to emergency?" So I thought we could have a thread about Things that are perfectly normal, but might freak you out if you don't know it's normal.
OK, here's mine:
On day 3 of life Nathaniel hadn't had a bm since day 1 and then I noticed a red spot in his diaper where his pee is. I eventually look it up online and it's perfectly normal. This is not blood, it is some newborn chemical reaction to first making pee. And newborns don't always poop right away (after meconium passes of course). Sometimes it can take days.
Maybe this will help a new momma, or even a not-so-new momma like me.
If you have a story about your pregnancy, the birth or the baby where later you think "okay, I almost freaked out over nothing experience," share it here and save another momma a moment of fright.

[bettie cracker]

great idea!! We need to be sure to keep this thread at the top.

[fyoosh]

Here's mine from back when my son was born...

I had read that post-partum clotting you may have could be "large". Of course, they didn't give any frame of reference as to HOW large, so I had it in my mind they would be "period" large... like the size of a quarter or whatnot. I was wrong The day after he was born, I was using the toilet, and I got up to feel something sliding out of me. It freaked me out when I looked down and thought my uterus fell out! The clot was about the size of my fist or so. I called the midwife, and she said, "oh yeah, they can be that big. As long as you don't pass a lot of big ones, it is fine".

So, if you pass a large clot, your uterus did NOT fall out (hopefully)

[Shiloh]

http://life.familyeducation.com/nursing/postpartum/36046.html?page=4

that's brick dust/uric acid can be a sign of dehydration in a new born.
DS3 had it in conjunction with severe later developing jaundice...
first pee? don't they pee in the womb?

A red or pink "brick dust" appearance on the diaper suggests your baby is not getting enough milk. "Brick dust" on the diaper results when uric acid crystals form in concentrated urine. It is not an uncommon occurrence among breastfed infants during the first day or two, when the quantity of colostrum the baby drinks is low. Once your milk starts increasing in abundance, however, a breastfed baby should be able to consume sufficient volume of milk to produce clear urine.

WHEN TO SEEK HELP: The presence of uric acid crystals in a baby's urine after the fourth or fifth day raises the suspicion of inadequate milk intake. ....If your breastfed baby has a "brick dust" appearance in the diaper after your milk has come in, contact her physician and ask to have her weighed to determine whether she is getting enough to eat. You also should notify your baby's doctor if your infant has fewer than six wet diapers each day after the fourth or fifth day, or if her urine is dark yellow or scant in quantity.

[sapphire_chan]

This thread rocks.

[Shiloh]

My funniest that's normal was I was babysitting my friend's days old formula fed baby (SINGLE DAD we were at a public restroom - he was in court that day getting custody (yeah no chance of breastfeeding if you can read between those lines)

The baby poo'd DARK PURPLE...I SH*T you not..
Women around me trying to be helpful were also shocked..
Some woman suggested it had something to do with meconium/iron in formula.
And asked me what type of formula...how was I supposed to know....

other that's normal are those infant acne which really look like please squeeze me spots not zits...

[AKA_PI]

Great idea! Keep them coming for us newbies!

[~Megan~]

They sleep all the time. Maybe 20-22 hours a day or at least it seems like it.

[robertandenith]

some babies want to nurse every 2 hours, it's normal. and yes, you are producing enough milk, they are just beautiful piggies

[Aliviasmom]

Not in the DDC, but...

Sometimes babies nurse FOR 2 hours. And yes, you're making enough milk.

Oh, and when the milk comes in, expect a MESS! My milk came in on my way from bed to bathroom, and I DRENCHED my gown and made a puddle on the floor. Good thing I had already planned a shower!

[meredyth0315]

You will leak immensely after a shower - have a towel ready & pads for your bra

[rach03]

Everyone knows boys and girls both can squirt you with urine if you aren't careful, but my husband and I did not expect our son to shoot poop at us. When he was just a few days old and started getting those really runny breastfeeding poopies, we changed his diaper a little too quickly and he shot a stream of liquid yellow poo about 6 feet across the bed and carpet.

So, don't get all excited and change the diaper right after you hear the pooping sound (and you WILL hear it with a breastfed baby!)...give it at least a minute to make sure they are all done.

[Shiloh]

milk let down - boy can it spray a few feet....

[meredyth0315]

Originally Posted by Shiloh

milk let down - boy can it spray a few feet....

Maybe it was just me, but the first few letdowns were a bit uncomfortable, borderline painful... anyone else have this?

[jennykilbo]

Originally Posted by rach03

Everyone knows boys and girls both can squirt you with urine if you aren't careful, but my husband and I did not expect our son to shoot poop at us. When he was just a few days old and started getting those really runny breastfeeding poopies, we changed his diaper a little too quickly and he shot a stream of liquid yellow poo about 6 feet across the bed and carpet.

So, don't get all excited and change the diaper right after you hear the pooping sound (and you WILL hear it with a breastfed baby!)...give it at least a minute to make sure they are all done.

omg...
i am so not prepared.

[robertandenith]

expect severe engorgement! get hot showers and massage breasts, also put baby to breastfeed as much as you can to help with engorgement.

yeah, I know those milk squirts you actually give baby a facial with it if the baby accidentally pops the nipple out of his mouth

[~Megan~]

And let's not forget that 2 hours is normal. Some babies want to nurse every half hour to hour too. That does not mean they aren't getting enough to eat. They have tiny, tiny stomachs and breastmilk takes virtually no time to digest.

[Shiloh]

or some like my almost eleven pounder could drain a breast in 5 minutes...

[Surfer Rosa]

Everyone knows boys and girls both can squirt you with urine if you aren't careful, but my husband and I did not expect our son to shoot poop at us. When he was just a few days old and started getting those really runny breastfeeding poopies, we changed his diaper a little too quickly and he shot a stream of liquid yellow poo about 6 feet across the bed and carpet.

So, don't get all excited and change the diaper right after you hear the pooping sound (and you WILL hear it with a breastfed baby!)...give it at least a minute to make sure they are all done.


Yes this! We had the same experience. Also yes to the milk shooting across the room. Crazy what our bodies can do!

Even if you're doing everything right with BFing, it will/might be be a little painful at first. In my reading/prep, I only found one little section in Bestfeeding that described that your nipple needs to stretch to the top of your baby's throat. I thought I was doing something wrong (despite MWs checking me, etc.) that I somehow had it "wrong". Turns out I just had shortish nipples.

[MissE]

Originally Posted by Shiloh

milk let down - boy can it spray a few feet....

Also...let down while dtd when you O (at least it happened to me). So don't even take your bra off for IT for a while.