Hellobee Boards

@78h2o: thanks. Did you see the one I posted a few days ago from science of mom? That's the one that convinced me to go earlier. That and our struggles with p.

@78h2o: I just read it. Ahhh. Now I don't know what to do. Let me know once you read the science of mom one. She just reviews a ton of literature (and there's more in her book which I really like), and comes down in the "every baby is different, but earlier introduction (but still 4+ months) seems to reduce type 1 diabetes, allergies, and maybe celiac disease" camp.

Why can't scientists agree??

@78h2o: my phone wouldn't let me paste the link in a message. So it's here and in fb messenger http://scienceofmom.com/2015/05/14/starting-solids-4-months-6-months-or-somewhere-in-between/

@78h2o: I read down into the comments on the article I posted and someone asked about the virgin gut. She says she can't find much solid science to back it up. Obviously, your article has some. She says "I keep meaning to write about this." Bummer she hasn't already...

Ugh, can't copy and paste, but look at her comment to Louise from June 2 where she directly responds to that article. http://scienceofmom.com/2015/05/28/4-signs-your-baby-is-ready-for-solid-foods/

I'm not trying to persuade you or anything. I just know you are good at research so if you read it all, I want to know which way you decide

@hocuspocus: she refers to the kellymom article in her response. And actually, I'm team anti-dr-Sears as I feel the dr Sears family uses pseudo-science to sell products. So I'm disinclined to use research there.

@Jess1483: thanks for the link! We are super busy today, so I only had time to skim, but after reading that article, I still think I'm going to aim for 6m. This is based in part on the fact that I started solids with Julia (mashed up sweet potatoe) at 6m and she didn't have any issues with food refusal or with allergies. I figure Holly is genetically similar to her, so I sort of want to do the same since it seemed to work out okay. I know you had a ton of issues with P, so I don't blame you for wanting to try a different approach this time. I think I would probably start earlier in your case.

All of the studies cited in that article seemed to recommend starting solids after 4m but no later than 26m. Many of the sources she cited seemed to say solids after 6m. She stated that the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology rec is apparently 4-6. I skimmed the article she linked (https://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/Practice%20and%20Parameters/Primary-prevention-allergic-disease-through-nutrition.pdf) and felt the recommendation there (for allergy prevention) was to exclusively bf for at least 4m, up to 6m. I didn't really see anything there to say that bf'ing up to 6m would increase risk. So basically, I think I still feel that starting right around 6m makes sense for us. It seems late enough for the gut to close, but not so late as to increase risk of allergies. My husband has significant mental health and GI issues, so that is also why I am erroring on the side of trying to prevent gut/GI issues. There is a lot of growing evidence linking the microbiome in the gut to these issues.

The other thing is that Holly doesn't sit up by herself or display other signs of readiness.

I'm going to keep reading, my stance may change - we'll see!

@78h2o: thanks. That makes sense. Especially with a family history of GI issues. I have a history of food allergies (corn), and I feel like the allergy research is starting to trend toward earlier, so that makes sense for us (that and the traumatic feeding experience, haha). E doesn't sit on his own, but she says they can be supported as long as they are holding up their core, which he totally does.

You'd think this would be easier the second go-round, eh? Interested to see what you say after you read more.

@Eko: seriously SO adorable

I'm too embarrassed to post this as a non-gold on the main page... When did sex get easier/back to normal PP? We had sex once maybe 8-10 weeks PP, I can't even remember. I remember thinking it wasn't as bad as I anticipated but not yet the same. We tried this weekend and it was a disaster. Like non-finishing disaster. I tense up without knowing it, he can barely get all the way inside... And condoms don't help the situation either. DH is certainly frustrated and I feel bad because I obviously don't want things to be like this. Any advice? Does it just get better with time? I'd forego condoms but it's our only form of BC now.

@Eko: Last time we did. This weekend was with a condom which I thought would help but didn't. DH doesn't feel much but it's our BC so... I just feel super tight? I don't know if it's mental or not?

@LindsayInNY: I would second @MrsSRS: lube and wine. Sounds partially mental.

@LindsayInNY: maybe just lube in general and a lot of wine

@LindsayInNY: Lots of lube. If you're nursing your hormone balance can keep you from lubricating naturally so you might need some anyway, then you might need extra for being tense. If you drink, having a drink can help with the tensing up and expecting the worst. Can you try going slow? Lots of foreplay? Or do some "personal exploration" to reassure yourself that it won't hurt? Because if it hurts when you're relaxed you should go see your doctor.

@MrsSRS: I think all of your suggestions are necessary... Wine, for sure. But slowness and a lot more patience on DH's part too! I think we're going to keep trying every other night or something a bit more frequent to try and warm my body back up, lol. This sucks!

@dc yoga bee: Ugh, I'm glad I'm not alone but UGH!

@78h2o: Oh no! Do you think she'd take the pumped milk first, and then nurse? That's what E does. I think he knows now that he only gets to nurse when he finishes the bottle, so he chugs it down. So sorry it was wasted I got my oversupply under control and now I worry about losing my stash...

Poor J! Luckily P has been sleeping pretty well lately, but I have the cough of death and woke him early this morning (it's pretty easy to hear from one room to the next). E only eats around 3:30 in the morning, but he does the scream of death every night around midnight. It's killing me!

@78h2o: Ugh, I definitely don't blame you! I feel bad because DH is definitely frustrated but I'm trying not to pull the "I just had a baby" card either.

@LindsayInNY: I'm "lucky" in that my husband is taking meds right now that kill his libido. Mine is also low due to nursing, so we're both ok with just cuddling for now. Probably not the best for our relationship, but eh, it is what it is for now. It is hard though if you feel pressure or feel bad for DH. I used to have a pain issue many years ago called vulvar vestibulitis. It really sucked because I really wanted to be able to be intimate, but it hurt SO much. Waaaaay TMI, but I'd highly recommend a vibrator during sex + lube. Good luck!

ETA: Oh, FML, daycare told my husband today that Holly needs more milk! I was sending 12oz and they want 15. I've been sick and stressed due to work and no sleep, so today I only got 7 or 8oz at work. I'm thinking that maybe since I'm getting less pumping she is hungry with the same amount that used to be okay because she is not getting as much when she is nursing as she used to get?? I'm going to send 4.5oz bottles tomorrow and really try to get my supply up. I hope I don't have to go up to 15... that's going to be hard.

@78h2o: That sounds really tough. Has it been getting better over the past day or so?

I was wondering if anyone had a hard time working when they went back to work. Not in a I miss my baby kind of way, but I feel soooo disoriented that it sometimes makes me really dizzy. Is it because I'm just tired and haven't had to work for the past 4 months?

@MrsBrewer: ugh, that sucks! supposedly they are caused both by fat in the milk and by friction. Is her latch okay? Are you taking lecithin pills? Lecithin works really well for preventing clogs and blebs.

Hope you both feel better soon!