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My mom has been here since M was born and is staying until he's about 7 weeks old. Needless to say, it's been a HUGE help. She's great with babies and was a L&D nurse for like 20 years! That being said...how am I going to survive when she leaves!?!? This kid refuses to nap without being rocked for +20 min and then he'll wake up an hour later. I don't know how I'm going to get anything done!! I know it's too early to sleep/nap train but man....he's making things very tough. I'm jealous of moms with good sleeping babies!!

@Mrs. Microscope: night time sleep isn't terrible here. M wakes 2-3x to eat. Last night he was really noisy so I got up to feed him...turns out he just had to poop DH wants to keep M in our room until he's 3 months. I'm fine with it but I would be ok moving him sooner!!

@buttermilk: I actually didn't care for baby tracker. I switched to baby connect and LOVE it.

@Portboston: It amuses me that you say "needless to say" about your mom being helpful. I would wind up killing my mom if she stayed for even a week, so my response to someone saying their mom has stayed for weeks is to feel sorry for them. And to you and @Mrs. Microscope baby wearing has been a lifesaver for us. I still can't keep the house spotless (my mom comes to hold her for a few hours once a week so I can really clean) or shower before DH gets home, but I can do dishes, laundry, go pee, etc. We've also been able to go to Magic (the card game) tournaments and play while she just slept in a carrier on one of us. (And go to dinner, run errands, etc.)

@buttermilk: I feel like I need to revisit the brest friend. I have one but wasn't that impressed. Hmm.

I just have to boast a little. Nursing is still crap (improving, but sloooowly), but damn if my supply isn't great. I'm about to hit 400oz in the freezer. It makes me feel a lot better that at least I know I'm still able to give her milk, even if it's not the way I want all the time.

@Portboston: we have our 2 week check up with the ped tomorrow and I'm going to ask about checking for a tongue tie. DS really sleeps best during the day while being held - I'm going to try baby wearing and see if that helps (have a maya ring sling I haven't used yet).

@Torchwood: what's your pump schedule/strategy? I think I remember you have a hospital grade pump which I bet helps a ton but would love to know how you ended up with so much since while we work in the nursing thing here too. I am only really pumping enough for N to eat plus a little extra right now.

@buttermilk: I am OBSESSED with my baby connect app. I track feeds, sleep and diapers. It helps me remember when I'm sleep deprived! I know some moms can tell what side they nursed on last based on feel, but I never can! Also, I like seeing the sleep patterns emerge.

@Portboston: my mom stayed for three weeks (one week before baby) and my inlaws have been here for 8 days and leave Tuesday. I've only been solo with the kids a few times for a few hours. I'm not too worried about how to get things done, becasue I lowered my expectations a loooonnng time ago. My son was contantly nursing or needing to be held. In fact, he is who im most worried about when my inlaws leave. It's been great to have him entertained while I'm nursing or getting the baby dressed/changed.
I have started to realize that I have NO idea how I'll make dinner. Haha

@OhCaptain: Dinner has been a challenge here for lo1, dh does one week of working days and then the next week works nights. He's been on nights this week and to be honest lo1 has been having snack foods for dinner (crackers, muesli bars, yoghurt etc) because Isla seems to be awake and nursing during dd's dinner time/bed time so it's been hard! Also last week when dh was working days I didn't even have the 3 of us dressed until lunchtime, slowly getting into a routine though!

Isla has had some awesome sleeps this week! She's done 3 nights of 7 hour stretches and last night did a 5 hour stretch before nursing and going back to sleep. But of course I wake up after 3-4 hours expecting her to wake up so I'm still getting limited sleep.

What kind of carriers is everyone using?

@abmamma: I started with, well, nothing. Since LO was a preemie I've been pumping from the start; she's never nursed as her primary food source. It gradually increased, and after starting the pills and getting the pump, pretty much settled on 27-30 oz per day. I think it was closer to 18-20 before that, but I don't remember exactly, and don't know if it would have continued to go up without those changes. It's been consistent for about a month now, even with going longer stretches at night. (For reference, LO is 9 weeks.) She eats 15-18oz per day, so my stash is growing very quickly.

As for carriers, I have a wrap and a Mai tei. DH likes the Mai tei, I like both for different times. LO seems to prefer the wrap but not strongly.

@Portboston: DH has been back at work since last Tuesday and it's been hard! Our families are both local, so they aren't staying with us. My mom lives 20 minutes away and I'm at her house a lot because I lose my mind at home alone with the 2 kids! She used to watch my LO when I worked, so he's used to being with her. Tonight, he's staying with my parents so I can get a little break!

@getjazzy: Oh, I forgot about the sling! I do have that too, but like you it hurts my shoulder. I don't like the uneven weight distribution.

Anyone have any input on this? Just emailed the LC, but I could use opinions. Baby girl just ate, and she got about half an ounce from the bottle, and half an ounce from the SNS, plus whatever she got from me (based on a weighed feed, not much). She then fell asleep and is resisting any attempts to wake her up to eat more, despite having just slept four hours since her last feed. Normally she eats 2.5-3oz at a feed, so I'm thinking she'll probably wake up hungry sooner than later. So my question is this- when do I pump? Normally I'd pump as soon as she finished eating, so as to be full again next time. Sometimes I throw in one between feeds if she's going long stretches, just to be safe. But if I pump right away when she just ate a little, she'll likely wake up while I'm pumping or very shortly thereafter, when I'm empty. My supply is great (I pump about 10oz more per day than she eats- 27-30 versus her eating 16-18), but I'm paranoid about messing with it. Plus, even if it would be okay to skip it once, what if she does this several times in a row? If we were straight nursing I would just nurse on demand and have done with it, but I don't know what to do in this case.

@buttermilk: other than the normal suggestions of less clothing, rubbing her head, tickling her feet, using your hand to compress a little more into her mouth, trying a less cuddly position, you just have to give it time.

@OhCaptain: okay doing all that. So you think it's just part of it? She is just s normal sleepy newborn who will get older and less sleepy? I'm so new to babies!!

@MrsADS: oh no! I can't imagine. Thinking of you and hoping they are able to get him healthy again soon.

@MrsADS: Thinking of you both Hope you get some answers soon.

@MrsADS: I'm so sorry your having to go through this! No parents should have to experience that. Thinking of you guys!!

@buttermilk: I think it's just part of it and as long as she has good diaper output and weight gain you are ok.

They are admitting him to the hospital. Giving him IV fluids, doing more tests in the morning with the ped GI. This is not how I thought the day would go. Poor little guy. My husband has just been holding him for hours sitting in a hard chair in the ER. My milk came in and I'm so engorged and trying to pump. I haven't slept since Sunday night and I won't tonight since I'm staying with him. Not that I would have it any other way.... just feel like I am falling apart.