Postpartum thread Wednesday

[AKA_PI]

How's everyone's day going? I tried putting Kendall on the breast again today. no such luck. I was able to pump a bit and will give him that little bit before the bottle. Fingers crossed he even takes it.

He slept really well last night in the bassinet. We just have to make sure he's fully asleep before putting him in. He tends to play possum because he likes to lie on my chest. It is so sweet but mommy is tired at 1am and 3am, while his dad lies there and saws logs all night. LOL

Anyone get over or make progress in any hurdles today?

[~Megan~]

Keep strong Monique! With the right help he can learn to nurse. Does your hospital have a support group?

I'm doing better breast wise today. My plugged ducts have pretty much resolved.
She's regained her birth weight, not sure how much she lost as this was her second weighing.

Ready for a nap tho!

[MySunflowerBoys]

Dh took DS1 with him to work this afternoon so I could take a nap with the other two. We just got up and I feel more refreshed.

I am having pain still in my vah jay jay. Specifically along one side of the labia and where I have stitches. It seriously feels like it got torn again??? And I still have groin muscle pain so I am walking very slowly. I quit taking pain meds days ago but am tempted to take some today because I don't know what else to do. Wondering if I should get some tucks pads to put on my pad? Or a cold compress?

[~Megan~]

Deborah, can you get it any air time? Lay on your bed with a fan blow on your vulva?

[AKA_PI]

Pumped some milk (it wasn't alot) into a bottle, I tried to give it to Kendall but he kept spitting it out. I tried putting him on the breast and he still won't take it. I'm giving this until the end of the week.

All the advice and suggestions from everywhere just aren't working. A few more days of trying though.

He's been a bit more fussy today and definitely sleeping alot. Today he slept from 10-3. He's been catnapping and I finally got him to go back to sleep a few minutes ago so I'm sure he'll be up at 10 pm.

[robertandenith]

Monique i think it'll be better if you find someone in person that can help you... you still very early so it is possible. Since you are offering so many bottles the baby doesn't want to do the extra work since bottles are easier to suck than the breast. I know everyone already told you about LLL, but again, have you contact any of them? they are FREE and they will be glad to help!!!! You can find a support group near you through a yahoo group or find breastfeeding moms support at yahoo, I am sure they are tons near you.

[robertandenith]

Mr. Roberto decided to do a peepee & poopoo party last night for 2 hours straight! From 4 to 6 I was breastfeeding, changing diapers, back and forth for 2 hours!!!!! The girls were never like that!

Finally, when I put him to sleep the alarm clock went off to wake up dh TWICE! I was so mad!!! I told him to please either wake up or turn the freaking alarm clock off completely. So guess what happened? the baby woke up and he had to take the baby and OF COURSE he wasn't able to get him to sleep again. I had to take the baby because he was late for work. Thank goodness my mom is here to help, I was able to sleep from 7 to noon without interruptions while cosleeping with the baby.

I am starting to go a little crazy, I want to go out and do things. Thankfully, this coming Friday I need to go shopping for my daughter's uniform and school supplies. Can't wait :

[NormaJean13]

Originally Posted by MySunflowerBoys

I am having pain still in my vah jay jay. Specifically along one side of the labia and where I have stitches. It seriously feels like it got torn again??? And I still have groin muscle pain so I am walking very slowly. I quit taking pain meds days ago but am tempted to take some today because I don't know what else to do. Wondering if I should get some tucks pads to put on my pad? Or a cold compress?

I'm feeling the same way. I also have stitches on one side. I'm living in constant fear that they're infected...I keep getting whiffs of bad odor but I think it's just the lochia as the stitches don't look infected. Isn't this great? I wish I'd been told more about when they'll fall out, etc. It's so gross.

[veronicalynne]

It took me a month with dd1-inverted nipples, breast pump, formula, trying to bf before I was able to establish bf only. Please dont give up! Nurses come visit after baby is born in my area. Do they do that where you are? They worked with me for a month to help with dd1. If not for them, I would not be bf today. As pp said, look up LLL too. Jaffer drove me nuts in hospital. He was very impatient and wanted milk yesterday until I cried and nurse asked if I wanted to give him a bottle.....I was sorely tempted but said no.....he would have loved it too much. He is getting to be very good at bf but it took patience from me and not accepting him coming off the breast and hurting me constantly. I actually borrowed a double stroller so I could go to IGA to get a birthday cake for hubby but it was not a good idea as I started cramping and bleeding. It is not far from us maybe a 20 minute walk but I guess it was too much for me. Actually, the progress I made is kind of stupid....I was sure he would pee on me when I change him so hubby has been doing it ( I am so used to girls) and I actually managed to change him without being peed on: The little monkey peed on me in hospital minutes after being born and also when I tried to look in the side of the diaper to check if he needed changing....he actually managed to pee out the side of the diaper.....I never realized boys had such dangerous weapons.

[Three~Little~Birds]

Originally Posted by AKA_PI

Pumped some milk (it wasn't alot) into a bottle, I tried to give it to Kendall but he kept spitting it out. I tried putting him on the breast and he still won't take it. I'm giving this until the end of the week.

All the advice and suggestions from everywhere just aren't working. A few more days of trying though.

If he is only ever offered the breast, then he WILL start to take it - but not without protest, probably. As long as bottles are in the equation, he most likely won't, given that he is already demonstrating a preference. You can keep pumping, but you should use a SNS (Supplemental Nursing System) to give him the milk in addition to frequent nursing (at least every 2-3 hours). You will have a difficult time producing enough milk for him if you only pump periodically and supplement with formula. You should consider nursing your biggest job right now and drop everything else. It will get easier, but you just have to overcome this hurdle.
I am not trying to sound too heavy, but I am just assuming that you really want nursing to succeed, and now is the time to get it established properly. You can always introduce a bottle later (like when you have to go back to work). Good luck. I know first-hand how difficult breastfeeding can be. Hang in there - you can do it!

[MySunflowerBoys]

I'll give airdrying a try tonight. Look at the Tucks at the grocery store and it was $8 for a big tub that I'm sure I won't need all of. I'm cheap so I passed on it. Maybe I should put some breastmilk on it. It doesn't seem infected, just chaffed like it's rubbed raw.

Monique, I know it's emotionally and physically draining to keep trying to bf'd when you are having difficulties. I can only add another vote for help in person for you. LLL leaders are extensively trained in helping mothers breastfeed and it is a free source of help with no strings attached. I had a great deal of difficulty establishing bfing with DS1 and had a home visit from an LLL leader that really helped us.

We used a nipple shield for 3 months due to my flat nipples. A nipple shield can also help a baby that needs to transistion from a bottle to the breast. I also used the SNS to work at keep him on the breast in the beginning. Both tools should be used under the guidance of an LC. Please, please seek professional help for bfing if you want this to work. Atlanta is a huge city and I am sure there are lots of resources available to you.

[AKA_PI]

I'll try contacting again. I don't think they make housecalls here in Atlanta and right now I'll have trouble trying to find someone to drive me to a hospital or otherwise. Tomorrow is another day so I'll try solely breast and give them a ring again.

[deliarose]

MySunflowerBoys- you can get generic ones at Target for $3 a pkg of 100. I am sure that other drug stores, etc also carry their store brand. I know that the Tucks helped me a lot with soreness, esp. during pregnancy since I had varicose veins in that region. UGH!

Thankfully nursing is getting less tender. I am doing a tandem job, but very limited with the toddler. Evangeline had a checkup today and is 1.5 oz beyond her birth weight. She is the magically growing baby since she measured an inch longer too. LOL! So much for accuracy at birth!

My mom left today and I am already feeling a bit overwhelmed. I am a super grouch with the kids, which I hate, but it seems like everything sets me off. We may have to resort to some movie time, even though it is not the weekend. (our little rule-to limit viewing time.) I know this is all hormone related, but sigh! Trying to think of some things that I can do with my other kiddos to make them feel special & loved.

[~Megan~]

Originally Posted by AKA_PI

I'll try contacting again. I don't think they make housecalls here in Atlanta and right now I'll have trouble trying to find someone to drive me to a hospital or otherwise. Tomorrow is another day so I'll try solely breast and give them a ring again.

If you ask LLL should be able to hook you up with someone that will make a housecall. Usually there are several leaders and someone should be free to come see you.

I agree with all the others (as a LLL leader, myself) that you should stop all bottles for one day. Offer only your breast. Pump or hand express a bit to get the milk going. Work on finding the most comfortable position for you and just sit there all day with your top off. Right now you should be resting anyway so laying in bed or on the couch with your baby is a great way to get that rest.

And since he will need to go to childcare later its important that you invest this work now to keep him healthy. If you can get him breastfeeding then once you are back to work he will get sick less often meaning less missed work for you, less dr. visits, and even more sleep for you both.

I hope you can find the help you need. Breastfeeding can be tough to begin with, I know I needed real help from a professional, but its so worth it once you get it working.

[robertandenith]

Originally Posted by MySunflowerBoys

I'll give airdrying a try tonight. Look at the Tucks at the grocery store and it was $8 for a big tub that I'm sure I won't need all of. I'm cheap so I passed on it. Maybe I should put some breastmilk on it. It doesn't seem infected, just chaffed like it's rubbed raw.

Deborah I have to air dry my cuchi too! If you feel like it might get infected try epsom salts dips. And forget the Tucks, they are freaking expensive : They are just pure witch hazel if you read the ingredients, just get plain o' witch hazel from the dollar store. Heck I am cheapo too!