Hellobee Boards

@Torchwood: love those eyes!!!! So happy to hear you're making progress with nursing!

@Mrs. Microscope: I would say hormones. I had a rash on my face and neck from about 2 days pp until maybe a week and then it randomly went away. Hormones do some crazy things. If it's really bothering you, I'd call your OB just to see what they say and if they can do anything for you.

How's everyone doing?! DH went back to work today, so I'm hanging out at my moms haha. It took about 2 hours to get myself and two kids ready to leave the house! I did take them both out yesterday and we all survived

Big bro seems to be getting better. Still testing boundaries, but overall, much more pleasant to be around than last week, thank goodness. C is doing well, too. I forgot how (mostly) easy a newborn is, compared to a toddler!

Here's one of the newborn pics I took

Hey ladies - glad to be in the other side with you all! Things here are going ok. Breastfeeding is somewhat better this time around although we need to work on his latch- my one nipple is a mess so am giving it a break and pumping on that side. Not sure whether to try a bottle for that milk or try and feed him off the one side for a day or two. I need to call an LC and get a consult. DD seems to be transitioning ok- she wants to be a big helper but I think it's s little hard being told to wait or be more quiet so much more now. We actually took her over to the nanny share today so she could have some fun. Hoping things will get easier once we get into more of a groove.

@Ms. RV: sounds totally reasonable to me!! Any amount of breastmilk is great!! i had to supplement with formula with DD from 4 months on and she is healthy and happy. Whatever works to keep mama and baby healthy is a good thing.

@Mrs. Microscope: I have been eating so much oatmeal. At least a cup and a half (raw measurement) per day. I didn't think to try herbal supplements but will definitely. The LC's around here I don't like. I met with a couple in the hospital and I felt shamed for asking about pumping and I was told the only way I could pump enough for while C is in daycare is to rent a hospital grade pump from them. I felt like they were just out to make money and not provide any real help. That's the only LC group my insurance covers.

@Ms. RV: if you ever want to talk more, let me know. I put myself through the wringer with DD- we had challenges with supply/flat nipples/her inability to latch and that coupled with weight gaining issues on her end created a lot of angst and guilt on my part. I felt like I was failing as mother and it really took a toll on our first 4?months. But we all became a lot happier once I let go of the guilt and supplemented. She ended up with a combo of breastmilk and formula until 9 months which I am still proud of. So don't let anyone shame you into anything- you are the mama and you know what's best for your family! Fingers crossed it gets easier though.

@Ms. RV: there's nothing wrong with supplementing! I've had to supplement a bit as well...Miles's tongue tie keeps him from getting a sufficient feed from me. So night feedings are rough. We try to do a bottle of expressed breast milk as the last evening feed but sometimes I don't pump during the day or don't get enough during that pump. So he gets a bit of formula. The boy has to eat and I need some sleep!

@Ms. RV: it's not on my.stomach... And i didn't get any stretch marks, so I don't think so? Thinking it's hormones and being subconscious worried just because DH is back at work. Trying to relax, I took more zyrtec and so we will see!

Just popping in to say hello! I want to catch up on everything soon but have been deep in the mommy fog since we had little R. Got home from the hospital today. So far breastfeeding is going pretty well! So much love over here, I'm swimming in it!

Oh also, thank God for grandmas!!!!

@Torchwood: The LC told me to rent a hospital pump before I was having supply issues and without even asking how many feedings I would need to provide daily. The hospital system that the LC's are apart of owns the insurance company. The insurance company loses money on a regular pump, but makes money on hospital grade, so I think they are coached to push rentals.

@Mrs. Microscope: Ugh that's awful!! I hope you get seen quickly and get some relief.

@getjazzy: thanks! I am on bf safe steroids for 5 days and a follow-up with my pcp next week. Fingers crossed this solves it! Best guess is hormones and heat rash, maybe an allergic response to something I came across at the park on Sunday.

@Mrs. Microscope: oh that sounds terrible- hope they get it figured so you can get some relief!

@getjazzy: glad things are going well. I can't wait to get past the initial breastfeeding pain stage- N has really done a number on my nipples to the point that part of me wonders if EPing wouldn't be such a bad idea. Trying to remind myself it will get better- just need to hang in there. DD is doing well too - just wish I could focus more on her.

@Mrs. Microscope: hope you are feeling better!

@buttermilk: I'm a lot less itchy today! Hooray fir steroids! Oh, and that second degree tearing and a few stitches, and pooping wasn't as bad as I feared! Good luck!

@Portboston: question-- do I remember from a previous post that you went on a couple day "nipple rest"? I am doing the same thing right now given the damage N has done with his poor latch but am dismayed at the amount of output I am getting with the pump. Did you have any issues like that? I am trying to figure out if I am having supply issues on top of this or if my body is just not producing for the pump. I am so scared that the nipple rest/pumping is going to permanently diminish my supply but attempts at nursing are so incredibly painful right now.... I am trying to pump more frequently and am drinking Mothers Milk Tea (and more water) but not sure what else to do.

@Portboston: Right now I am only getting like an ounce (or slightly less) with each session. At the LC's earlier this week, the milk transfer was about 1.5 ounces which is what the LC said was what he needs right now (he's a week old). As of today I am pumping every two hours. Were you able to keep up with LO's needs when you started nursing again? I just don't want to see my supply tank (I had that problem with DD but not until she was like 3-4 months old).

I hope that the fact that his ties were released helps. For us, it seems like it is a combination of a shallow latch and my anatomy so we just need to practice and see if we can make it better- but is just so painful right now! I am so envious of people for whom breastfeeding comes so naturally!

@abmamma: sorry I misread that...he's eating 1.5 oz and you're pumping <1oz...yea that's how it is when I pump too. Miles eats about 2.5-3oz a session and I usually pump about 2. Sometimes I get 3 or more but rarely. That's why we have to supplement sometimes when I'm pumping (I take days off here and there to recover my poor nips!)

Question about making DH feel better! Sometimes P will be crying he is trying to soothe her, but she will only settle down for a few minutes at a time for him before crying again. I try to stay out of his way (grab a shower, just relax in our bedroom, etc. Not hovering!) but by the end of an hour he usually comes to me from help. Each time, it turns out that's she's hungry a bit earlier than normal, and I can solve the problem instantly. DH admits he feels like the worst daddy in the world, and it breaks my heart! He is so kind and gentle and patient with her, but he doesn't have the boobs! We do bottle feed occasionally with pumped milk, but that is planned around pumping, not just random crying episodes when I am available to breastfeed.

What can I do to make sure DH knows he's a great daddy! I try to tell him, and he really is good at calming P when she isn't starving! He is having a rough time, and I want him to know she loves him as much as she loves me, she just can't show it because she is only 3 weeks old!