Weekly Postpartum Chit-Chat & Support 11/1-11/7 - Page 3

[Changed]

Boy do I know the feeling.

[AmamaAgain]

Hey ladies,

Thanks so much for all of the advice. I wont be on long because I only have one hand free with the LO. The screaming is becoming a late evening ritual but leads to very good sleep lately overnight.He's been using the silicon pacifier but I am gonna buy a soothie one tomorrow. Things have been chaotic but Julien will be 4 weeks old tomorrow. I'm sorry some of you are still having breastfeeding troubles. Babycakes...you are not fat. You just had a baby. We have to all be kind to ourselves (I'm sure trying...I have to recite that to myself daily for now).

Those of you with multiple children, how are your other kids coping? My 7 year old is now going nuts for attention and actually getting really mad about not getting all of it.

Does anyone have a baby that's sleeping for several hours at night? I'm baby is now waking up about 3-4 times but eats and falls right back to sleep. I'm just thankful that he's getting over the "4am wide awake" thing.

Anyway, I hope you guys had a great weekend.

[Baby_Cakes]

Thanks, guys. I'm in a better place this morning, I think. I'm going to try to be kind to myself today. Take it one day at a time.

^Nora's sleep schedule is definitely changing. Last night, for example, she woke at 2 and nursed only for about 10 minutes on one side, and fell sound asleep. I put her in her seat and was going to wait for her to wake up (which she usually does, b/c she wants to be held to sleep) but she didn't! She stayed asleep! So I just sort of layed on the couch to sleep instead of getting back in bed, thinking she'd wake up at any time to finish eating - and she didn't wake up till 6 am! Even then I had to change her diaper to really wake her up.

If I can get my boobs to agree to this schedule it'll be fabulous!

O/T - My kitty Leeloo isn't doing well again. She is back at the vet and it doesn't look like she will make it. She either has a very severe bacterial infection or a viral infection. If it's bacterial, they may be able to treat it. If it's viral, there is nothing they can do. They kept her on oxygen, IV fluids, and abx overnight, and DH just went to pick her up from the emergency hospital to take her to the regular vet to have some more tests done to see if they can figure out what is wrong with her.

I am so sad. She just pulled through such a massive ordeal and her liver was finally healing. She put on weight, she was looking so good, playing with her sister and being herself. We were so happy. Then she just took such a serious turn for the worse. It is so hard, and I am just going to miss her so much if she doesn't make it through this. But at this point, I almost feel like it would take a miracle to get her home and healthy.

[mamanurse]

Originally Posted by audsma;12519598\

I've not even tried regular clothes yet-- even though I am within 5 pounds of pre preg weight. I can't imagine the seat of my jeans on my almost healed bum! I need to look at what I can shift to, however, as I will need to start going out soon. I figure I'm still entitled to sweats, as everyone thinks I was just pg yesterday (even though it was 2 weeks ago!)

I went to pick up dd1 from music class and dd2/dh were in the car. Someone asked me if I was EVER going to have the baby :

Originally Posted by Soogie

I am still having a difficult time moving around. One of the staples from my incision prematurely came out and that spot is really really tender. My mw checked it yesterday just to make sure that an infection wasn't starting. I'm having the hardest time at night with pain, trying to maneuver in the bed, either to lay down, get up to use the restroom, or to nurse the baby. And emotionally I'm starting to feel the change in hormones. I'm feeling isolated as I am quaranteened to my bedroom, still not able to tackle the stairs again. I just wish I was able to do more with my 3 other kids right now. but they are in good hands, being spoiled by daddy and grandma.

Are you taking pain meds? Don't be afraid to. It takes longer to heal if you don't treat your pain than if you do.

Originally Posted by crabbyowl

My Eleanor is 3 weeks old today! She's a pretty easygoing baby, but a couple of times she has flat-out *refused* to go to sleep at night - and I mean for 5-6 hours, not just an hour or so (I can deal with that just fine).

And sorry ladies, but I must say that I was delighted to be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes 2 weeks after having her.... :

The 5-6 hours of wakefulness in the middle of the night sounds like utter hell.

I'm in my pre-preg clothes too, but the wastebands are hidden by the inner tube that is my postpartum belly. I'd rather wear loose fitting athletic pants and my maternity jeans than stuff my penguin fatness into my clothes.

Originally Posted by mama.rye;12521921/

also, SR - i am hesitant to try medication... i would love to try some natural remedies first. i am feeding him more often, in smaller amounts. before, he was chugging down every 3 hours, now i am offering the breast every two hours and he is eating less ferociously. the arching seems to have become less frequent. also, gripe water helps somewhat...
any other suggestions for helping with the reflux? i appreciate your input!

I'm assuming his HOB is elevated and that you're also tilting him upward at the breast?

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

I know there are bigger issues being discussed and I'm not trying to make light of any of them b/c I know that our babies are number one right now, and I know there are more important things to think and talk about...

But I feel fat.

I am starting to feel bad about myself and it's making me feel really depressed.

I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

You're on your way to not feeling fat Carrie. I swear. It took you nine months to gain the weight and it's going to take you more than a month to lose it

Originally Posted by AmamaAgain

Those of you with multiple children, how are your other kids coping? My 7 year old is now going nuts for attention and actually getting really mad about not getting all of it.

Does anyone have a baby that's sleeping for several hours at night? I'm baby is now waking up about 3-4 times but eats and falls right back to sleep. I'm just thankful that he's getting over the "4am wide awake" thing.
.

I don't wake mine up at night now that she's gaining well and is above her birth weight.

My dd1 seems to be adjusting pretty well. Having dh home really helps.

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

O/T - My kitty Leeloo isn't doing well again. She is back at the vet and it doesn't look like she will make it. She either has a very severe bacterial infection or a viral infection. If it's bacterial, they may be able to treat it. If it's viral, there is nothing they can do. They kept her on oxygen, IV fluids, and abx overnight, and DH just went to pick her up from the emergency hospital to take her to the regular vet to have some more tests done to see if they can figure out what is wrong with her.

I am so sad. She just pulled through such a massive ordeal and her liver was finally healing. She put on weight, she was looking so good, playing with her sister and being herself. We were so happy. Then she just took such a serious turn for the worse. It is so hard, and I am just going to miss her so much if she doesn't make it through this. But at this point, I almost feel like it would take a miracle to get her home and healthy.

I'm so sorry to hear about your : Carrie. I'm hoping she heals well and gets to spend some quality time with you, dh, and sweet Nora.

AAM- I'm so happy my little one is above her birthweight after only 9 days. My first was still not at her birthweight at a month. With all we've been through with the rough delivery and bleeding postpartum, I feel so blessed that she's nursing well.

I'm feeling a little better about hemorrhaging pp today. I'll probably cry buckets and still wallow in my own self-pity a little, but I'm hoping I've turned the corner with the emotions.

[Mamja]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

O/T - My kitty Leeloo isn't doing well again. She is back at the vet and it doesn't look like she will make it. She either has a very severe bacterial infection or a viral infection. If it's bacterial, they may be able to treat it. If it's viral, there is nothing they can do. They kept her on oxygen, IV fluids, and abx overnight, and DH just went to pick her up from the emergency hospital to take her to the regular vet to have some more tests done to see if they can figure out what is wrong with her.

I am so sad. She just pulled through such a massive ordeal and her liver was finally healing. She put on weight, she was looking so good, playing with her sister and being herself. We were so happy. Then she just took such a serious turn for the worse. It is so hard, and I am just going to miss her so much if she doesn't make it through this. But at this point, I almost feel like it would take a miracle to get her home and healthy.

I'm so sorry Carrie. I love our cats so much, I can't imagine what I would do if anything happened to them. We actually had to give 2 of our 4 cats to DH's parents earlier this year, and even though we get to see them fairly often, I still miss them soooo much. If anything happens to Leeloo (awesome name btw) make sure to take time to process all your feelings. We all know how busy things are with a newborn, but it's important to spend time with your thoughts.

[mkmb129]

Carrie, I remember being told "9 months to put it on, don't expect it to come off any quicker" and it made me feel better, like it wasn't a race to be back to 'normal' and no one expected me to for a while. I was really bummed about my size after ds. I was the biggested I'd ever been, stretched, fat, blah! After a few months (yeah, a few months!) I started to accept my new body. I'm a big bigger now, and honest to goodness not upset at all. And this is coming from a person who spent most of her life self-loathing and starving because I hated my body & being fat. Your body is beautiful, and it grew a person! That's a big deal!!! I'd try first to accept your body for how it is now, and then move on to losing weight/toning or whatever you want to do once you're in a better place regarding it.

And speaking of bodies, I've lost all but 5.5lbs (of 30, I'm going to say a good bit of it was water weight as I was quite swollen towards the end) at not quite 2wks pp, but don't look/feel any smaller. How on earth can that be? Funny how everything shifts! My pre-preg. jeans fit, but at a little snug. Hopefully once things settle back where they should be they'll fit better.

[JMarie930]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

I know there are bigger issues being discussed and I'm not trying to make light of any of them b/c I know that our babies are number one right now, and I know there are more important things to think and talk about...

But I feel fat.

I am starting to feel bad about myself and it's making me feel really depressed.

I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

You are not fat. You just had a baby. I'm glad you're feeling better about it this morning, but you really should be gentle with yourself. Look back at all your belly shots - that happened over months and months! It'll take a while to get back to your pre-pregnancy self. It sucks, but it does get better. I'm right there with you, though. I just want to wear pants that zip and button.

[mommysaurus]

just poppin in here. We were gone for the weekend. DP was a groomsman in his friend's wedding. Had to travel 3 hrs up and 3 hrs back. Had G and 4 of my other kids. They all did well in the car.
Greyson is 3 weeks today but he looks soooooooo much older. Everyone at the wedding thought he was like 2 months already. I'm not sure what he weighs but he has gained. His cloth dipes fit like "speedos"....lol! I need to get him some mediums SOON! G also has his first cold, along with me and 3 other of my kids. He's been fussier the last 2 nights because of it, but still sleeps ok. Usually he wakes around midnight and then again around 3 ish. He is starting to space out his poopy dipes too(not having to change a poopy dipe each time)...but when he goes..omg! he just blows out his dipe!
I'm feeling pretty good. I am almost back in prepreggie clothes. I was able to fit into a pair of my nice pants to wear to the wedding but i'm still in maternity jeans...lol! i'm not going to try my regular jeans for awhile yet.

That's it for us!

[birthdancedoula]

all around, Carrie. I am so sorry to hear about Leeloo being sick again. She pulled through once...she can pull through again. You and your sweet kitty will be in my thoughts.

AAM: Iris will be 3 weeks on Wednesday~ how did that happen?~and I think we're hitting the first growth spurt b/c she's not happy unless she's attached to the boob. My m-i-l has been holding her now for about all of 10 minutes and I can already hear her start to fuss. I know this will pass and things will normalize soon but it makes simple tasks like throwing in a load of laundry or taking a shower that much harder...not to mention being able to do the research that I need to do for school.

My girl seems to hate her car seat. The few places we've gone she's screamed the whole way there. Dh put on a CD in the van I have of a maternal heartbeat and she calmed down and fell asleep but that's only worked once. I mustered up the courage to take the babe and my 2 y/o dd to Trader Joe's the other day by myself and they both ended up screaming...omg...my head was going to explode! Overall though, I think dh and I are managing well with all 5 kiddos. Having dd doesn't seem to have really changed things much.

Well, I hear dd crying...off to nurse again.

[sonshine_rae]

mama.rye I'm sorry I haven't been able to post sooner,
my baby has been very fussy and needy the last day or two *sigh.* He's in his bed for now.. who knows if he'll stay asleep by himself this time or not.

For at home measures with reflux, never let baby sleep flat, don't feed baby flat, always lay baby at a 30 degree or higher elevation (head up of course), try to feed baby in more upright positions (can be tricky with breastfeeding, but football and cradle holds can be adapted to have the bottom low and head higher during feeds), no side lying flat to feed baby (I use a recliner to feed baby sidelying if I'm to exhausted to sit up). Burp gentle and often, sit baby upright for 30 minutes after each feed (if you've burped well and have a way to sleep baby upright you can put them in their elevated bed during this timeline).

Some people believe dairy or soy to make reflux worse, I don't have any experience with that and it hasn't been the case with my kids so far, but some will cut those out of the mothers diet if breastfeeding, or switch to formulas without those (extremely expensive).

Generally reflux is caused by the esphagus flap not staying shut so if babe is laying down, or has a big burp, it can allow the stomach acids to come up the babe's throat and burn their throats. The trouble with acid reflux is that it typically will get progressively worse without some sort of treatment (even if it's just at home measures), as the acid burns and harms their throats, in severe situations there can be permanent harm done.

Most babies outgrow acid reflux as they get older and the flap starts to stay closed, some as early as 3 months, some 6, or a year... occassionally it can last into toddler hood or even be a life long situation.

Please completely ignore that Pediatrician.. your breastfed baby IS NOT overfed!! In the rare case that a BF baby is over fed, gaining to fast isn't the situation but rather vomiting a whole feeding back at you would be more the situation. BF babies sometimes grow quickly in the early weeks/months then once they get mobile they almost stop gaining weight for a while, so let your little one beef up now.. in case they are one of the 'skinny' toddlers they'll need all the early fat supply they can get.

That's something so totally cool about breastfeeding typically a baby will take in only as much as it wants/needs, and will grow however it's supposed to (fast, slow, average etc) no matter.

Okay gotta go again.... sigh

[heidirk]

Milo has started to marathon feed, but he's till sleeping pretty well. He'll literally feed evrry 40 minutes for 3 or 4 hours and then pass out! He's pooping, but not quite as frequently as I expected. DS1 started pooping about evry three days at about 4 mos or so, so I expect him to start spacing things out after a bit.

It's hard to beleive that he's three weeks old! He's gaining, I can tell, but I haven't had him weighed lately, so I don't know how much!


I am planning our first DTD. . . So here's what I've got so far. . .

Nightie
Candle
Wine
Nice massage oil
lube of some sort (not sure what to get)
a new razor (I need to shave my legs!! )
I have steaks in the freezer. . . :


What else do I need? Maybe I should get beer instead? We're not drinkers really, just once in a while. I just want to make this a really special time. We had such a stressful year, that I want to create a little place in time where the whole world dissappears, and it's just us two. . . until the kids wake up, of course!

[heidirk]

sonshine rae- I wanted to add my 2 cts to that, because my experience with my DS1 goes counter to the overfeeding thing in a couple of ways.

He did feed nonstop, eve when his stomach was overfull- ie, he had just vomited all over me. I think some babies- just like some people don't know when to stop eating. Or maybe his tummy hurt and he was trying to fix it the only way he knew how!? And even with all th spitting up, he gained enormously for the first 8 mos.

And with Milo, I took steps to limit my supply, because I had way too much and got mastitis several times. Milo seems to self limit more effectively, but he's getting a better mix of hindmilk, and when I know his tummy's full, I give him a paci.

I know it goes against what most people need to do for milk supply, and thriving babies, but I'm just weird apparently!

[mamanurse]

Originally Posted by heidirk

I am planning our first DTD. . . So here's what I've got so far. . .

Nightie
Candle
Wine
Nice massage oil
lube of some sort (not sure what to get)
a new razor (I need to shave my legs!! )
I have steaks in the freezer. . . :


What else do I need? Maybe I should get beer instead? We're not drinkers really, just once in a while. I just want to make this a really special time. We had such a stressful year, that I want to create a little place in time where the whole world dissappears, and it's just us two. . . until the kids wake up, of course!

I was starting to think of DTD, too, but when I hemorrhaged on Saturday night it set me back. My OB said to wait until 4 weeks pp, but I didn't think I could wait

It sounds like you're all set for your fun night. Does your man know what you're up to? I'm going to surprise mine when the time is right

[myrmom]

I was starting to think of DTD, too, but when I hemorrhaged on Saturday night it set me back. My OB said to wait until 4 weeks pp, but I didn't think I could wait

I am so far from thinking about DTD...I think I will take the full 6 weeks. Physically I am sure I could dtd tomorrow as I feel great but I am so not there emotionally.

I had my first ppd crying session last night....My nipples were finally starting to feel a tad better and then he was all chompy yesterday and they got sore again. Then last night I was tired and he wanted to cluster feed and I just didn't want to feed him. I felt awful...he was crying in dh's arms and I was crying and all I kept thinking was I just don't want to feed you I want to sleep...then I felt all guilty and snuggled up to him and let the love I have for him try and over power the pain in my breasts.

[TaraRae82]

nak

i've read through everyone's updates but will have to reply a little later. ally is requiring most of my attention right now so typing is really a challenge. i'll be back later. i'm thinking of you mamas.

[Amber Lion]

Originally Posted by Bella Catalina

Hi mamas
Today is Day 6 and the blues have hit.

Day 6 was really hard for me too, I had a good couple cries and a long talk with Dh and felt better the next day. Hope you start to even out soon, hormones can be so hard b/c I know I'm being irrational, but that doesn't keep me from bawling.

Originally Posted by lee1203

One nipple exceedingly raw. Hurts like hell unless her latch is perfect, which takes several tries. Have unthinkingly cussed at innocent newborn baby upon poor latch. Am horrible mother. Only thing that calms her down is boob. She's not fond of her crib, so been sleeping away from dh because our bed is no good for co-sleeping. Been weepy here too. So hard to hear her cry and not know what she wants. Also, one-handed typing sucks.

Lee! I've got a high-need-sucker over here too, only thing that calms her down is sucking and when she REALLY doesn't need to nurse anymore it's hard.

Originally Posted by audsma

I'd recommend finding an arm hold that works while propping your elbow against the carseat in the middle of the back seat. I used to switch sides of the car or use the armrest on the door. Now my boobs are saggy enough that I don't have the problem.

Thanks, I'll try that. I guess I just need to practice at home when it doesn't matter, but I'm so focused on getting the latch the idea of not having all the support pillows to hold her up is frightening!

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

I know there are bigger issues being discussed and I'm not trying to make light of any of them b/c I know that our babies are number one right now, and I know there are more important things to think and talk about...

But I feel fat.

I am starting to feel bad about myself and it's making me feel really depressed.

I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

I think beginning to feel depressed is a pretty big issue. Maybe not a physical one, but our emotional health is important to our babes too. I just bought some jeans (size 14, am actually pretty happy about that) and had to remember that it will take more than a week to get back to "normal".

AAM: Adelh is totally congested this morning. She has to be upright to breathe and hence, sleep, so has to be in arms. Early this morning was rough b/c she was so fussy while laying down and I was so tired I didn't really get what was going on. Dh was worried she'd already got a cold, but Dr. Sear's Baby Book says it's pretty common to get congested and it's not a cold usually. She doesn't seem sick in any other way, except she's sleeping ALL THE TIME and hardly waking up to nurse.

Anyone else with a baby who needs to suck ALL THE TIME? She's not even that fussy of a baby when she's upset, I can distract her for some time, but she's not *happy* unless she's got the boob or a finger in her mouth. I tried just nursing her all the time but she was spitting up and choking so much b/c she was obviously not in need of milk. Dh wants to give her a paci, but I'm afraid just the finger sucking has already made her latch lazy. I have to really manipulate her mouth/lips each time she latches on to make sure it's right. Is the paci really any worse than a finger? Guess I should ask over in BFing forum...

Dh went back to work this morning. I did all the night time parenting last night and got lucky that she didn't have a wake cycle, so I got to sleep pretty much the whole time in between nursing. On one hand I'm really happy my Mom is still here to help with Adelh, on the other I kind of want to get into my own groove. She's totally not imposing and respects everything we do as parents and that I'm the Mommy - and she's been such a help always cooking and doing laundry... but I kind of want to figure out how life is going to be with just Addie and me.

Wishing all you ladies well... I think about you often!

[heidirk]

mamanurse- he doesn't know! but I've been bleeding abit today, so I guess I'll wait. . . plus, I'd really like to pluck my eyebrows!


I finally screwed up my courage and cried all over DH last night about how our labor went this time. Nothing really wnet wrong, but I've been affected by it in a big way, and he really listened to me while I tried to process it. I'll never let myself be talked into a late term U/S again, unless I'm sure there's something wrong. I just can't beleive I surrendered control of the situation even though I knew there wasn't any real issue with either of us. I feel like a huge wuss.


Wow! Milo ate and ate and ate after his nap, and then threw up on me three times on a row. Then he had a huge stomachache, and I basically had to swaddle him into the swing with his paci and a nature sounds cd so he could calm down. He's still not happy, and I suspect that this feed will come back to haunt us once it reaches the intestinal end of things. I'm just gonna try to keep him calm until I'm sure his tummy's empty, and then he'll feed and go to sleep. . . whew.

[Changed]

Originally Posted by Amber Lion

D Is the paci really any worse than a finger? Guess I should ask over in BFing forum...

!

I've been wondering this too. With OAL it's hard to comfort nurse much.

[audsma]

Sorry to those of you mamas who are having a hard day. I think DS is getting to the same point that DD was at--needing body heat to sleep. Perhaps I can enlist my kitties to help in this endeavour? I was just prepping dinner/lunches for the week, as I know I need to start early on this these days, and he woke up for another feeding. I'm loath to put him down again, as he'll likely just need to have more contact and I can't quite get hang of chopping with a chef's knife with him in the Moby.

My folks are here and are driving me nuts. I finally broke down, after much cussing under my breath, and sent them out to lunch with DD. They always want to take us out to dinner when they're here, and I'm just not up for taking Bryson out yet, so I sent them to entertain DD this afternoon. Hopefully they are doing well in my car and in all of this rain we're having-- trying not to think about my dad's sloppy driving with my dear, precious little girl in the car with him. They leave on Wednesday morning, and then I have my house back to myself. I was able to get my floor mopped out of the deal, but then mom spilled DH's coffee all over the floor this morning, and now a part of my cabinet is so swollen it won't go back in. Annoying!

Here's to being gentle with ourselves and those around us. We can do this, mamas, even with the sleep deprivation factor!

[AmamaAgain]

I am SO determined to DTD within the next 24 hours! It better happen!

I'm so ready and today I am 4 weeks pp. I'm kinda nervous though. My baby doesn't sleep for long period and I might get pretty upset if 10 minutes into it Julien decides he wants to party. That would be very sad.