[seamama11]

Hi,<br>
hmm there is a lot to write but I will try to keep it short. We started our son in our bed on one of our chest for the first two months of his life, then moved him to his crib. from month 2-5 he slept 3-5 hour stretches in his crib, usually coming into our bed around 5. Then for the past month and a half he has been waking every 1-2 hours, and sometimes not staying asleep after nursing. I am exhausted as is my husband who switches off with me. Naturally we considered co-sleeping...but the problem is neither of us sleep and charlie wants to nurse non-stop. SO I go back and forth. The other issue is that I am weaning now because I have to get an MRI of my breast to follow up on a finding over a year ago. I wonder how co-sleeping will go when he cant nurse...any mamas out there in this situation...and other mamas that co-sleep any tips or advice to help us sleep better together. Our son is happiest in our bed and I know that is most important but with not sleeping more than an hour at a time for 6 weeks I am starting to really feel it.<br>
Thank you,S<br>
Sarah

 

[rzberrymom]

<a href="http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/4mo-sleep.html" target="_blank">This</a> article helps explain what happens with infants at around the time you saw sleep changes in your DS. I also thought I'd created sleep problems for my DD at that age--at about 4 1/2 months, we traveled, she had jetlag, and things never went back to the way they were when she was a newborn. Until I read that article, I thought I'd created the problem.<br><br>
And of course at 6 months there are so many other issues that disrupt sleep--growth spurt, teething, developmental milestones (learning to sit), etc. With all that going on, the little guy really needs you at night for now.

 

[georgia]

hey there...just had to respond quickly...the research shows that the iodine used w/MRIs is compatible with breastfeeding...(Kubich-Huck 2000, Rofsky 1193, Nielsen 1987, Fitz-John 1982 and Hale 2002 Medications and Mothers Milk) That unlike other iodine, the stuff used w/MRIs isn't absorbed and is inert. If you are interested in breastfeeding, I would highly suggest finding a physician who is familiar with the lactating breast, and I would suggest that you consider contacting a LLL leader or a IBCLC if you are interested in maintaining your breastfeeding relationship <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> If not, please ignore <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"><br><br>
As far as co-sleeping goes--six months is very challenging. Honestly, I couldn't imagine having to get up and down if babies hadn't been right there...they still are going to need us whether or not we're conveniently next to us.<br><br>
Most importantly, have you learned how to nurse while lying down? I didn't learn how until my oldest was about 6 months old---and it made ALL the difference. I could at least have my eyes closed and be horizontal.

 

[Klynne]

Thanks rzberrymom! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbsup"><br>
I had the same experience with my dd of 6moths. Jet lag really messed up her sleeping and it hasn't been the same since (dd is 7 months now). Prior to our trip she had been sleeping the whole night (9-7). I had no "troubles" with feedings.<br>
Now dd wakes up twice during the night to eat. I have been frustrated because I KNOW she CAN sleep through the night, and have considered letting her cry it out (I just can't bear too though!!). After reading that article on Kellymom I thought about how dd eats during the day, she <i>is</i> VERY distracted. I even mentioned that fact to a friend today. When she eats at night she eats a lot. I have never considered that night time was "make up" time for what she didn't get earlier in the day. Think if I had let her "cry it out"... that would be just terrible...<br><br><br>
___________________<br><br>
Klynne<br><br>
Mum to Sydney Leona 13.06.06 <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/homebirth.jpg" style="border:0px solid;" title="Homebirth"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/winner.jpg" style="border:0px solid;" title="BFSymbol"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/saynovax.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="no vax"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/femalesling.GIF" style="border:0px solid;" title="Femalesling">: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/familybed1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Familybed1">

 

[jennybean0722]

Klynne, I would KILL to only wake 2x a night. To me, that IS sleeping through the night.<br><br>
Oh how I can't wait for that.

 

[jennybean0722]

I've written some negative posts lately....I feel horrible. Rzberry, that article did make me feel better. Although, it seems like my little one has been distracted by the world since 2 months ( he is now 5.5), I just don't when it will end....b/c, don't the developmental changes last until they finish learning to walk/chew/talk, etc.? So that's like, 4 y.o., right?<br><br>
For now I just hope that my little boy's sense of wonder lasts forever....that is what gets me through this <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[rzberrymom]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>jennybean0722</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7001139"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Rzberry, that article did make me feel better. Although, it seems like my little one has been distracted by the world since 2 months ( he is now 5.5), I just don't when it will end....b/c, don't the developmental changes last until they finish learning to walk/chew/talk, etc.? So that's like, 4 y.o., right?</div>
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Every kiddo is different, but the developmental milestones that disrupted my DD's sleep were the biggies--crawling, standing, walking. So, once she started running around, her sleep got much better at night.<br><br>
But, the worst disruption to her sleep was actually the teething--once her first molars came in, she slept through the night (which is technically a 5 hour stretch). Literally, it got better nearly overnight. I was blown away. I wish someone had told me "throw away the sleep books, stop looking at the clock and just try and wait for the teeth!"<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> It does get better!

 

[Klynne]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>rzberrymom</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7005649"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I wish someone had told me "throw away the sleep books, stop looking at the clock and just try and wait for the teeth!"</div>
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DD almost has her first tooth, it seems to be right on the edge and she is having a TERRIBLE timd sleeping during the day which is causing her to be quite grumpy at times. My poor little friend. I'm sure her not sleeping has to do with the tooth (and coming teeth) so I'm sure that quote is right!<br><br>
I think the most precious thing a parent can give a child is love and patience. Which reminds me... Love <i>is</i> patience...

 

[Klynne]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>jennybean0722</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7001085"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Klynne, I would KILL to only wake 2x a night. To me, that IS sleeping through the night.<br>
Oh how I can't wait for that.</div>
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I hope you can experience it! I wasn't sure what motherhood would be like, I've been totally surprised in a positive way. I wonder what Nr. 2 will be like... I have heard rumors that they can be TOTALLY opposite of the first born...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[seamama11]

Thank you for your responses. He has just started sitting up and seems like he has been teething for months....part of me just thinks he is a sweet, sensitive boy who needs touch and love throughout the night. Last night was the first night he slept in our bed all night. He started in his crib and slept there for two hours...then when he woke at 9:45 we brought him in bed. He nursed at 10, 11, 12:30, 2, 4, and 6. I know he doesnt need to nurse that often, and as I mentioned I am starting the sad process of weaning him. I would be able to have an MRI while breastfeeding if I were trying to get an image of any other part of my body. Unfortunately, nursing even if it is just one side makes it very difficult if not impossible to get an accurate reading of the breast. It is the lactating hormones that interfere. So..after talking to many specialist, radiologists, and family members...I have decide to take a month and wean my dear son so that I can make sure I am ok. As a new co-sleeper I am nervous how it will go when ds learns he can do latch on for comfort in the middle of the night. If anyone has experience with this, please share your stories.<br>
Thanks,<br>
Sarah

 

[Emilie]

I have never weaned a baby so young.... I am wondering if you can discuss this with a bf friendly doctor tho.<br>
I have nursed 2 children on one boob. really. Now my one boob is larger than the non nursed on one.... so i wear a pad in it to bulk it up.<br><br>
I am wondering how "down" your milk supply has to be and if you can just wean him on that one boob? I will tell you that it is a choice. You will be making the choice to be asymetrical and you would have to be comfortable with that. But bf is so important( as is your health too!!!). So I wanted to throw this out as an option to explore. It would ALSO be possible to relactate the one breast after the procedure- especially because of having one already going? I would look into this personally. It does not sound like you want to wean and this may be a way around it.

 

[seamama11]

Thanks for the suggestion. Actually another mother on this board suggested it and I got so excited. However I found out that even if I completely stopped nursing on one side I would still be producing the hormone that makes MRI impossible to read. I have agonized over this decision for months, and postponed it as well. It is very difficult. I have many women in my family who have passed away from ovarian and breast cancers, I am BRCA 1 gene carrying and had a finding on my right breast a year and a half ago that needs to be followed up on. I think I have made the right decision to stop nursing and take care of this issue, but maybe not <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">

 

[Emilie]

I think you know what is best. Hey- the baby will not care if it is bottle fed if it has its mom ya know. In this situation= I say- hey- its ok. Good for the 6 months and it sucks( not the weaning really- having to wean to deal with a worry like breast cancer!). Really it does. But it is OK! You are doing what is best for your family and that is your job. Is there a possibility of relactating after the procedure? Like how long do you have to be dry?<br>
( I am clueless about this stuff- sorry!!!)<br>
I feel for you. How hard to have to have a new baby and have to worry about breast cancer. ( my mom, two aunts and two grandmas have all had breast or orvarian cancer as well).<br>
Please keep us posted as to how it goes.<br>
I would say this.... start giving the baby bottles at night. This will turn into the comfort? Have them filled and ready and know you are going to have to get up- or reach over to get them- then take the baby to bed with you. OK.<br><br>
Closeness with be even more important in a time of transition.<br><br>
Thinking of you! And I am up on here for a bit if you want to keep chatting mama.

 

[georgia]

I have never heard that about hormones interfering with MRIs, and I've been volunteering w/breastfeeding support for six years. I'm sorry you're faced with this decision <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> Again, if you're feeling like there's any possibility of there being other options, I would highly support seeking out more opinions...I would even suggest asking the physicians to show you the research that supports this assertion. I'm not at all saying it's not what needs to be done for the reading, but, for peace of mind---knowing it's something that's actually based on scientific-evidence and not opinion <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I cannot tell you how many times I've met mothers who were told to wean for some completely bogus reasons <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">: It happens.<br><br>
You sound like a really concerned and loving mama---I hope everything works out for you and your baby <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">

 

[AKfamily]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>seamama11</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/6997231"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Hi,<br>
hmm there is a lot to write but I will try to keep it short. We started our son in our bed on one of our chest for the first two months of his life, then moved him to his crib. from month 2-5 he slept 3-5 hour stretches in his crib, usually coming into our bed around 5. Then for the past month and a half he has been waking every 1-2 hours, and sometimes not staying asleep after nursing. I am exhausted as is my husband who switches off with me. Naturally we considered co-sleeping...but the problem is neither of us sleep and charlie wants to nurse non-stop. SO I go back and forth. The other issue is that I am weaning now because I have to get an MRI of my breast to follow up on a finding over a year ago. I wonder how co-sleeping will go when he cant nurse...any mamas out there in this situation...and other mamas that co-sleep any tips or advice to help us sleep better together. Our son is happiest in our bed and I know that is most important but with not sleeping more than an hour at a time for 6 weeks I am starting to really feel it.<br>
Thank you,S<br>
Sarah</div>
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Could you try him sleeping on your or your partner's chest for at least part of the night again? Our 8 mo has been waking after the first 1 hour of sleep to play etc so I have been having him start on my chest (1st 2 hours of sleep) and I pat him etc. if he starts to get restless. 2 nights of success & crossing my fingers.<br><br>
As far as cosleeping weaned, can you 'nurse' with a bottle with him on your chest or some other skin to skin contact so he keeps getting the mama breast comfort? I would think cosleeping would be great for both of you through this transition of weaning, that way he'll still have access to you.