Saturday Postpartum

[jennykilbo]

Hey mamas!!

So I am 5 days pp - haven't even posted my birth story yet bc I am just too engrossed in my babymoon My dh and I are the nerdiest new parents ever... we are so in love with life and our family right now

Anyway I absolutely adore bf'ing - not for any particular obvious reason but it's going so well and it must be those happy hormones flowing... Side-lying nursing is like too good to be true... We did have a really hard night after my milk came in though, and my mom called the LLL leader I had met at the meeting I went to several months ago to ask her a few things since Allison and I were both crying and she absolutely saved the day so I wanted to tell anyone who might be nervous about calling LLL to just do it!!

So a non-urgent bf question - what is your best trick for waking up baby to nurse? Allison is soooo sleepy... even once she is "awake" she will close her eyes at the boob until I can get her interested. I've been checking her diaper and playing with her hands and feet but I would love to hear what else works for you.

Would you take a 5-day old inside Babies R Us?? My dh and I are actually going to leave the house for a little bit tomorrow, and I really want to stop by there and get a few things but I have heard that there are so many germs in those stores - so I was debating just running in while dh and dd hang in the car? Or am I worrying too much?

[robertandenith]

just avoid to use their bathrooms! yuck!!!

I am so glad to hear how much you love bf'ing! that is one of my passions too, and every time I get preggo that is what I look forward to do! Bfing is such a soothing experience, for baby and mommy. Those beneficial hormones released during breastfeeding bring just smiles to my face and so much peace to my mind... I have never gone to any of the LLL meetings but I think this time around I am going to try to go to one of their meetings just to meet like-minded mommies and hopefully drag my so mainstream best friend with me

Roberto Carlos doesn't want to sleep, he is right awake and I am so right now...

[not now]

I actually can't stand breastfeeding. It's not painful, he feeds well, my plugged ducts and infection are resolved, I can feed sitting/standing/laying, yet I can't stand it. I do it because I know it's what's best for him but I honestly don't like it.

Other than that, I love being a first time mom. He had his second doctors appointment and he's already gained a pound. He went to family dinner for the first time today and did great.

I finally went to the gym for the first time yesterday. It felt soooo good to sweat and lift weights.

[maryeb]

When are you guys starting to work out if at all? I love to exercise and took a walk yesterday but then my bottom was really sore after.

Nursing is going great-Leo practically latched himself on after birth and has stayed there! I love nursing and was hoping to tandem but Luc isn't interested, which surprises me.

Midwife is coming over soon to see baby. She was out of town for the birth so we had her awesome backup.

We encapsulated some of the placenta-thanks so much for the thread Enith!!

[naturegirl]

I will probably wait until about 4 weeks pp to start exercising. That is just me though. I am very slim and I lose weight fast. My belly is almost gone already after 1 week. I also have a very slight uterine infection, I think, so I am advised to take it easy for awhile. At about 4 weeks I should be all healed up so I am waiting until then.

Bfing is going great here too. Except for the leaking. I hate changing shirts because of leaks so I am out to find some GOOD breast pads.

And here are some pictures of my boy(s)...if anyone is interested.

[redebeth]

Just peekin' in out of extreme boredom.

Cheryl - Your boys are beautiful, and those pictures are amazing. Seriously, the pictures of Owen in particular are breathtaking.

[moonstruck]

:

Originally Posted by jennykilbo

Hey mamas!!
So a non-urgent bf question - what is your best trick for waking up baby to nurse? Allison is soooo sleepy... even once she is "awake" she will close her eyes at the boob until I can get her interested. I've been checking her diaper and playing with her hands and feet but I would love to hear what else works for you.

I've had the same problem with my new LO, very sleepy. What has worked best is a COLD washcloth on the forehead, top of head. LOL. Seems so mean, he makes a terrible little face in his sleep. I have to make dp do it, because I can't stand to. But undressing him wasn't enough, and he would sleep like 5 hours without b/f otherwise, and I have low supply so that wasn't cutting it. HTH.

Originally Posted by jennykilbo

Would you take a 5-day old inside Babies R Us?? My dh and I are actually going to leave the house for a little bit tomorrow, and I really want to stop by there and get a few things but I have heard that there are so many germs in those stores - so I was debating just running in while dh and dd hang in the car? Or am I worrying too much?

I would go ahead and take babe in, but only with the little one being worn--I've been carrying this babe in a mei tei on front, snuggled up facing me and it works great. That way he's pretty well protected from BRU.

[Surfer Rosa]

I love the quiet time that BFing provides-and I really think there is something to the "feel good" hormones! I've had some issues with blisters (bad latch on day 1, soon corrected, but still a wee bit tender), but I know things will be much better in a day or two.
I'm taking it easy til Monday (we just took our first trip out today to visit some friends). My MW coms on Monday and I'll ask about walking. I seem to remember it wasn't til about 2 weeks that I felt normalish. I think drs/mws usually advise waiting til 4-6 weeks to really begin exercising. I can't wait to start running again! I didn't have any tearing or anything, and I'm not even really bleeding much, so hopefully I can begin some yoga/walking next week. I'm really in between sizes right now-all my mat stuff is enormous, but I can't fit into my old clothes properly either. My boobs are SO huge-I look ridiculous. I'm going to have to buy some shirts.
I can't believe Rowan is a week old tomorrow! It's going by so quickly already. I'm so in love with my little boy!

Here are some pictures...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8769957@N06/2790499822/

Cheryl-gorgeous pictures (and family!)!!! Those are great shots.

[Surfer Rosa]

My first was a sleepy nurser too-we had to strip her down and even use wet cloths at times to wake her up...I always felt so cruel but at times it was the only way to get her to nurse!

Another BFing question: are you waking your LOs to nurse at night? How often? I can't remember how often it's supposed to. Rowan is nursing every 4 hours through the night, and much more often during the day. Sound okay?

[maryeb]

Thanks for the thoughts on exercising...I was thinking about yoga/pilates maybe next week. Hmm. I haven't woken Leo to nurse at night. He has woken once/twice a night so far so I don't want to do much else, but I haven't had any engorgement/low supply issues.

ETA: gorgeous pics Cheryl!

[jule924]

I'm feeling pretty good here. I think my bleeding is still going because of it, though - I'm probably doing too much. I get antsy! I'm hoping to go to mom and baby yoga this week if I can get mil to watch the boys.

Nursing is going great here. I was engorged at first and got a clogged duct with fever - so fun! I got it cleared up in a day so I'm doing great now. She's gaining and nurses about every 2-3 hours night and day. I don't have to wake her at night at all. She's pretty sleepy some days so I'll change her diaper after starting or mess with her arm. Sometimes I just jiggle her a bit to wake her. Overall she's got the hang of it and stays awake for a good feeding.

I'm really enjoying having a newborn again. I wasn't sure if I would. It's the older ones that are driving me nuts I've taken her around in my Moby wrap a few times already. I never had one with my others and it's funny how fascinated everyone is with it.

I'm a little scared for next week when dh goes back to work. It's going to be a challenge to meet everyone's needs around here. I'm sure I'll be wearing her a lot.

[Mamatolea]

Things are going pretty well here. I am feeling much better after my bout with sore and tired the first week. I ate lots of steak and I am feeling better. I wasn't bleeding much, but I guess it was more than I thought because I was feeling SO anemic!

My little hoggy beast is BFing like a champ! So much better than Lea ever was. He only wakes every 4 hours in the night to eat and I don't force the issue. He is certainly getting enough since he was born 7.12 and is 8.2 and not even 2 weeks yet! He barely lost any birth weight and it gaining like crazy already! He nurses on and off all day and is doing pretty good with not having too much spitup(as long as I burp him well) and lots and lots of pee and poop! Hooray! : I am so happy the bf relationship is working out with him. I was so discouraged with Lea and I had so much fear of having to stop with him too like I did with her.

On another note...he has a rash on the inside of one of his legs and it is little tiny white bumps and it seems to be spreading to his penis...I started putting calendula on it and it hasn't changed much..just a few of those dots now on his penis this morning(I put the Calendula on this morning when I noticed it had spread a bit). It isn't anywhere else...any idea what it is?

[mamamerle]

Originally Posted by jennykilbo

Would you take a 5-day old inside Babies R Us??

I did just to get out of the house. I had forgotten to pick up breast milk storage bags. Doh! Put the baby in a sling. People are less likely to want to touch if the baby is that close to you.

Originally Posted by not now

I finally went to the gym for the first time yesterday. It felt soooo good to sweat and lift weights.

I wish I could. Since I ended up with a repeat c-section I have to wait quite a while before I get back in the gym.

Things are going well for us. Cady is nursing great. She's gained a pound. I am pleased with the amount of milk I am producing. (I had a reduction four years ago.) We went to MIL's house today. It's nice to get out of the house for a while.

As far as the sleepy babies... it may be a phase. Cady was really sleepy at first, but she's better now. Just keep nursing!

[robertandenith]

Originally Posted by naturegirl

And here are some pictures of my boy(s)...if anyone is interested.

omg THOSE ARE SO GOOD and he just came out so beautiful!!!!! I like to put a face on a username Cheryl, so good to 'see' you

I had a little PP breakdown or I should say that I would've have it anyways, PP or not, just because we are experiencing a little financial problem. We had to cancel our insurance because 1. we are not using it enough to keep it 2. they have raised the monthly payments 3. we need the extra $400.

I am applying for medicaid and IT SUCKS! they are saying (in a letter) that I didn't send the necessary documents and I DID!!!! : I faxed them all the papers they needed and they are now saying that I didn't send them those papers. (mind you, this is my THIRD try at this!!!) I can't even go to their offices because they have changed their way of doing things and now those offices are only a drop off center (no one to talk to). I call them and no one answers, I left a message and no one calls me back! Who is going to pay for my mw? I talked to her and she told me that she was going to help me out with sending the papers again and told me not to worry. I have tried to be as positive as I can but sometimes I know I am only human with fears and feelings like anyone else, so I cried today... I am pretty sure it is not PP depression related, I think I would have cried anyways out of desperation! sighs....

Then, dh asked me why I was crying and I told him, he then kissed me and told me not to worry about our financial situation that we are getting extra $ every month now since he canceled the insurance. But, I hate not having any insurance! Anyone here with no medical insurance coverage?!?!?! How do you do it?!?! I know I will eventually get my kids in medicaid but what about us, the adults?

as for working out... I already told hubby that i am starting next week, he got P90X few months ago so we are doing that together

[robertandenith]

Originally Posted by maryeb

We encapsulated some of the placenta-thanks so much for the thread Enith!!

so glad I could help! and so glad you did it!!! :

[robertandenith]

Originally Posted by Mamatolea

It isn't anywhere else...any idea what it is?

try epsom salts baths!

[AKA_PI]

Doing ok here. KEndall and I spent the day with my parents. Concluded with an evening visit from more family. IT was nice to be out today. Tomorrow i plan to go out and do some minor errands for the week. He'll be 3 weeks old on Monday. I SLEPT GREAT LAST NIGHT! DP was up with him so I could get some rest. I even slept until noon today. How great is that?

DP and I DTD last night. At first he didn't want to but my response was, "Either you give it up or I take it". LOL. He talked me out of it and nothing happened. I was so mad I turned on the tv. LOL. Eventually he gave in and it was GREAT! Of course we're playing russian roulette because pregnancy is a possibility but we're going to correct that night. There was NO WAY I could wait another 3 weeks.

I must admit I've been really nervous about calling LLL. I feel so inadequent as a mother because I can't get him to nurse properly. I'm glad to hear another success story of someone who made the call. I'm sorry to have not gotten to it but I was embarassed.

[veronicalynne]

Originally Posted by AKA_PI

Doing ok here. KEndall and I spent the day with my parents. Concluded with an evening visit from more family. IT was nice to be out today. Tomorrow i plan to go out and do some minor errands for the week. He'll be 3 weeks old on Monday. I SLEPT GREAT LAST NIGHT! DP was up with him so I could get some rest. I even slept until noon today. How great is that?

DP and I DTD last night. At first he didn't want to but my response was, "Either you give it up or I take it". LOL. He talked me out of it and nothing happened. I was so mad I turned on the tv. LOL. Eventually he gave in and it was GREAT! Of course we're playing russian roulette because pregnancy is a possibility but we're going to correct that night. There was NO WAY I could wait another 3 weeks.

I must admit I've been really nervous about calling LLL. I feel so inadequent as a mother because I can't get him to nurse properly. I'm glad to hear another success story of someone who made the call. I'm sorry to have not gotten to it but I was embarassed.

Not sure how to reply without a uav....suffice to say I am envious of your "success"
I think I would probably die with my 2nd degree tear and hemorroids but maybe one day in my future......
Mr. J seems to be calming down from his eating frenzy and now I am having to bug him to wake up to eat. Now if I could only get some rest.....
We had company today and it is literally embarrassing how much they spent on not only baby gifts but gifts for Yasmeen and Tamara too and to top it off they gave me a gift card to boot.....not sure if it is bad etiquette but I tried to talk them out of the gift card (it was alot) but they refused so I am not sure what to do now....I feel really uncomfortable the amount they spent kwim?

[Shiloh]

been on the baby moon...yes its a location far far away..
where I ignore my cell phone, my home phone, the television...
all because all that I need is in my arms

Got to love bonding hormones..

Breastfeeding is going very well. I am not waking him up at night to feed but he's doing about every 3-4 hours. Belly button fell off today - day 7.

Midwife cleared us to DTD and I got a depo shot on Friday to tide me over until I meet with gynocologist...about a tubal. I was so gung ho about a tubal before I saw my perfect sweet child....lol hormones.
I keep telling my brain - mama you have a newborn in your arms why think about another one right now...dh is sick with either a wicked headcold or allergies...I've let him sleep in the guest room two nights now....he looks worse for wear than me...

I am so engorged its obscene.
I bought a pump.....the door of my freezer is now full.
I know I am probably making it worse but dang...its aweful.
But I got a great supply for when I go back to school in a week and a half UGH (I am only there one day a week...not so bad)

I also got cleared to start working out like 15 min on the treadmill. Today we went out for brunch - I insisted on walking to help with the baby's jaundice (its so mild) so we put him just about naked in the pram... then we went to the park for a picnic - again walked there... by this evening I passed a fruit sized clot and my literature said - you did too much today. My bleeding had almost stopped too!

and people...piss me off.
My friend called me to watch her sick and throwing up child on Friday...
baby was six freakin days old ..... give me strength.

and we are having baby name issues..
should have solidified that before postpartum brain but honestly I don't know what this kid's name is...we got the one name picked but drawing major blank...and dh has been so out of it with his headcold he's not been able to think.

[Mamatolea]

Hubby and I dtd last night. It took longer than with DD and I tore with her! I had a couple of tears with DD and we were "back in the saddle" one week to the day. We were just so ready already, but I was so tired and sore. This was a strenuous labor and way more intense that with DD and it took sooo much out of me...but I feel much better now.

And my boy is getting bigger. SOB

And Enith- I am encapsulating today : I was waiting for my "best" friend to do it, but she flaked. So hubby stepped up( I that man! ) and did it for me. It's in the oven now-I am SO excited.