-
@hellobeeboston: Still here?? I am! I'm not due until Sunday the 28th. I've been having one very strong period cramp a day that last several minutes since Friday night, but still no mucous plug or bloody show or any other signs.
I hope all the new mommies are doing as well as can be! I LOVE seeing the pics on facebook - I think October babies are the best looking!@highwire: Thanks for the invite! There's a very good chance little Baguette will be a november baby.
@Beebug: You definitely looked too small to be carrying an almost 10 pounder!! Very similar to my mom who gained the least amount of weight with her biggest baby (9'13")I'm officially on maternity leave...is it weird to still be in disbelief that this is really happening?!
-
@Tidybee: hey!! still here! my due date is wednesday, so we'll see what happens! I've also been getting more cramps off & on - nothing regular, and it just usually last for a little while then nothing. He still seems to be up high and not dropping! I def lost my mucus plug last friday, but I know one of our other october mama's lost hers like 3 weeks before the baby.
i have an appointment on wednesday, so we'll see if I'm progressing, and at that point we have to set an induction date, but hopefully he'll make an appearance before then!
I'm also home - worked from home all last week, friday was supposed to be my last day, but I'm going to keep working from home until the babe arrives! I think i'm going to be sloooow this week though, we'll see!
and yes - totally agree with you - in disbelief about everything, just can't wait for his arrival! trying to chill & out enjoy this super down time
-
Any Momma's struggle with waking their LO to feed?! We're really struggling! Once she's on, she's good, but waking her is such a hilarious ordeal, of all problems to have so far?! Literally not getting enough feedings in because we can't get her awake or keep her awake!
We are at hosp now for some bloodwork, so will ask since we're here what else we can do beyond stripping her to diaper, and trying to stimulate her to wake!
1st night home was ok! Not awful, not awesome.....we're finding our way! 1st doc appt Thursday!
-
@BeeBug - we have that issue with keeping LO awake. We strip her down for every feed about 10-15 minutes before each feed. That seems to do the trick during the day. At night she's usually up, but I have used a damp washcloth on her face to wake her up.
@HelloBeeBoston & @TidyBee fingers crossed your Lo's come soon!!!! -
@CarrieLouWho: thank-you! Doc said cold hands and stripping her down too, even if we have to do more cluster feeding, than longer sessions.....
She has dropped weight, but still ok, waiting on bloodwork results (jaundice one?)
-
@Beebug: congrats mama! @Tidybee: @hellobeeboston: Thinking of you ladies! Hopefully your LOs won't make you guys wait too long
@Beebug: We also have found that stripping him down to a diaper helps keep him awake/wake up him for nursing. I also just posted my birth story. Still somewhat in disbelief that I have a baby
-
@Tidybee: @hellobeeboston: Think of you ladies and hoping you get to meet your little ones soon!
@Beebug: we really struggled at first with feeding. He just wanted to sleep and wasn't interested in eating. After he was born, he ate right away but wasn't really interested and only ate a handful of times his first 24 hours. He was a little jaundiced, but we made sure he nursed a lot and is nursing much better now. He still is a little lazy but doing better. We too found that stripping him to a diaper helps. Also, once he's finished one side, my DH will change his diaper to wake him up or he'll try and burp him then we see if he wants the other side or not. Sometimes he takes it and sometimes he doesn't. I also found that tickling his cheek and compressing my boob helps to stimulate the natural reflex to suck.
-
@Beebug: We really struggled with waking LO for the first couple of days especially. We'd strip him down, burp him, rub his head and talk to him. Touching his jaw also seemed to help.
@Tidybee: @hellobeeboston: You girls are getting close!!Since my milk came in breastfeeding has been going much much better. For the first few days my nipples were really sore and I was scared to latch him wrong so I was exclusively pumping and feeding him pumped milk every 2 hours. Then we were able to meet with a LC last Wednesday and I've been nursing him since. It's so much better! The one thing that I liked better about feeding him breastmilk in a bottle was that I knew how much he was getting and I felt confident that he was thriving. I don't like not knowing how much he's actually eating while breastfeeding! I'm almost tempted to rent a baby scale so I can check to see how much he's retaining....
How long are you ladies nursing on each side? Just until LO is done?
-
@Running Elley: Glad to hear BFing is going better for you. I too worry about whether A is getting enough or not. I worry if he's feeding long enough on each side to get the fatty hind milk. But I went back and reviewed the BFing book I read and it made me feel better. It said as long as he's getting a min of 3-4 stools the size of a US quarter or larger everyday, then he's eating good. It said the stools is the most telling of whether or not a baby is thriving. I just let him nurse on one side until he pops himself off. Then usually try to burp or change diaper then see if he wants the other side. Sometimes he takes it and sometimes he doesn't. He seems to nurse about 10-15 minutes per boob. Sometimes when he eats off the second it's only for 8 minutes and then he pops himself off. But how long he nurses each side is just dependent on how much storage your breasts have.
-
@Running Elley: I usually nurse betwen 15min and 30 min on one side, until LO isn't really sucking anymore. Sometimes he unlatches himself when he falls asleep. I think I need to meet with an LC though...my nipples are SO sore and actually started bleeding a bit today
I have no idea if this is normal soreness or if it means that his latch is problematic. Latching on also hurts like a BIATCH for like the first 15 seconds--anyone else experience this? @mrskc: speaking of stool, how often are your guys/gals pooping? LO seriously pooped like 10 times today. Sometimes it's a big poop, but sometimes it's just like a little dab in his diaper. It's driving me crazy because I feel like as soon as I change him, he poops again, and I don't want to irritate his tush by constantly wiping him, but I also don't want him sitting in poop!
-
@Beebug: omgosh thank goodness you brought this up. This has been the source of fear, worry and stress for me for the last week. He doesn't eat enough:( he falls asleep mid-feeding....sleeps hours on end...I wake him to eat and he kind of just mopes around my breast and dozes off again. Right now I have him stripped down to a diaper and he is doing OK....but i doubt he is getting the 15oz the ped recommended to us. The ped did say that if his weight is OK then we need not worry about making it to the 15oz goal...so for now: all is good.
-
@mrskc: That actually makes me feel a lot better! He's definitely getting the right amount of dirty/wet diapers and I always forget that that's the important part. Thanks for the reminder
It sounds like our little guys are eating about the same amount/for the same time.@hilsy85: When we first got home from the hospital I was feeding for the same amount of time that you are and my nipples got really sore and started bleeding. My milk hadn't come in yet. When I talked to a LC over the phone she told me that he shouldn't be latched on for more than 10 minutes per side. She said that since he's getting colostrum during that time if he's latched on for more than 10 minutes he's burning more calories sucking than he's taking it and it's a lot of extra roughness on our nipples/their lips. Once we switched to the ten minute feedings it made a WORLD of difference.
@TurtleDoves: What helped me with the fear a little bit was meeting with the LC. They had a scale there and she weighed him before and after a feeding and I was shocked at how much he was actually taking in!
-
My LC said she doesn't like to focus on time at the breast. That I should feed her until she stops, burp her and bring her back to the same breast. If she's not interested, offer the other breast. I end up breastfeeding anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes total each time. according to the BabyConnect app, over the last 3 days she's fed for 3-3.5 hours. Prior to that it was around 2-2.5 hours.
My LC said that during the day I should feed her every 2 hours & and night we could go 3, unless she wakes us up. Of course she cluster feeds in the evening and wants to eat every hour just about from 4 or 5 to about 10.
As for diapers, we had an all time high the other day of 20! We've been averaging a total of 11-13 a day, with 6-7 of them being poops. I feel like all I do is change diapers and feed her! We've had quite a few open air accidents.
We went to the LC on Thursday and we didn't have any weight gain over the week (still at 8 lbs 14 oz). We go back this Thursday and hopefully she'll have some gain back up to birth weight of 9.3. Not knowing how much they eat is nerve wracking, but keeping track of the time has been helpful.
-
@Running Elley: what about after your milk comes in? Mine is definitely in (my boobs are huge!), and he's definitely eating for most of the time he's latched (I can hear/see him swallowing). Should I still unlatch him? Sorry, I know you're just going off what your LC told you, but did she say anything about after your milk comes in, how long to leave him on for? I think I need to make an appt with one...
@CarrieLouWho: ok sounds like we're on a similar diaper schedule! LO also peed on himself three times today, lol. -
@hilsy85: I was wondering if yours had come in. My LC said to basically go off how long he's eating but that it'd probably still be about 10-15 minutes per side. So I'm not sure! I really recommend seeing a LC- it made a huge difference for me!
-
@Running Elley: Thanks! I think I will look one up tomorrow.
-
@Hilsy85 - I had the same issues - my nipples started bleeding and I had some bad bruising right before my milk came in. I so so so recommend seeing an LC. It worked wonders for us!
-
@beebug: CONGRATS MAMA!!
-
@hilsy85: I would definitely see a LC. Your nips shouldn't be bleeding and it should only hurt a little when he first latches on. He may just not be latching deep enough. You want his lower jaw to be as far from your nip as possible. Also every woman has a different storage capacity so I wouldn't unlatch him if he's actively drinking. You want to make sure he's getting to the hind milk. Sounds like he's pooping enough! My LO has about 5 poopy diapers a day. Sometimes he has some small little squirts when he toots. Oh are you using any nipple cream? That can help too.
-
Do any of your babies refuse to latch sometimes? He gets all fussy and I can tell he's hungry but won't get on the boob. It can be so frustrating. He just opens his mouth and shakes his head side to side but won't latch. Eventually I do get him to latch though. Does this happen to anyone else? Anyone have some suggestions?
-
@hilsy85: as far as time on the breast: I haven't met with LC yet but my "first year" book by Dr.Sears says that letdown is fastest the first 10mins...so anything after that is slow and therefor may put your baby to sleep or exhaust her before she's even full. So with my son I switch him after 10mins to keep the momentum going. If he's still hungry after 10min on each breast, I'll go back to the original breast (with a burp break between).
@mrskc: ahh! This is our issue! So frustrating:( he gets all fussy and excited and can't focus enough to latch on. When I finally get him to, he just sucks sucks sucks with a vengeance! ...which in turn makes him spit up because he is going faster than his little tummy can handle:) I've been told that if you catch them before they are super hungry and fussy that this will not happen. That's easy during the day but impossible at night when they wake up starving:/
-
We just got back from Alia's 2 week check up and jaundice check. She has gained 1lb and grown 1/2 an inch
Her eyes are still yellow so we have to get some bloodwork done today. I also have to start an elimination diet because she is having terrible gas and starting to show signs of a food aleregy. It is most likely dairy causing it so we shall see.In regards to the latching issue:
DD wouldn't latch right away at first but now for the past few days she latches right on. Alia's gotten so much better at nursing with age. -
@mrsjyw: Thank-you!!
I keep waiting for bf'ing to suck (no pun intended!) Or to hurt?! Either I'm getting lucky, or it's too soon? This kid is head turned mouth wiiiiide open, latches with no help at all, it's awesome! Not awesome though? Milk is in, holy full!!!
So I have a new secret (lol, I'm being foolish) to keeping baby awake while nursing! Put on music and sing out loud!!! DH just left (we're buying a new car today, lol of all times?) and I threw CMT on, and started singing cause I felt like it, and it might have kept her a bit more awake.....mostly because I probably have an awful singing voice! It was fun though, I am going to keep it up when I can!
She is the worst for stinky blowouts as she nurses, stinky girl!!!
-
@mrskc: Hmm...I sometimes have this issue as well. no real solution though, other than just keep putting my nipple to his nose and trying again. @TurtleDoves: hmm interesting. My LO is consistantly sucking the whole time he's on the breast, and I hear/see him swallowing so I know he's getting milk...so that's why I usually just let him finish on that one. But another question for the LC!@Mrs.B: wow!! a half inch! Good for her! Hope her jaundice clears up
Hearing that bf'ing is going better for you at 2 weeks gives me hope!@Beebug: lucky you! That's great that her latch is great. Also, she is ADORABLE!!! I love all her hair! and her chubby cheeks -
@mrskc: I do think that his latch isn't deep enough. I think I'm going to ask DH to help me get him latched/help open his mouth farther. I've been putting breast milk and lanolin on my nips and it helps a bit, but the latch on still really hurts
-
@TurtleDoves: What frustrates me is that he will latch for a few seconds and suck for a little then get off again. I hope this improves with age and as my supply settles in. It always seems to happen only on my left breast. I think maybe the milk is coming out too fast for him. Only on that breast does milk spew out the side of his mouth as he eats.
@Mrs.B: So glad to hear your LO is doing better and gaining weight!
@Beebug: That's great BFing is going so well for you!
@hilsy85: I hope you can get his latch figured out and it stops hurting so much. It's definitely not fun if it hurts.
-
@Mrs.B: Winniebee went through an elimination diet, so if you want to see what her experience was like, she talked about it a lot on the boards.
I'm so glad I'm going to have all of you ladies to help me with breastfeeding issues. You'll be experts by the time I start. Sorry I can't be of more support now!
@hellobeeboston: Good luck at your appointment tomorrow - if you'll even need it! I go on Thursday to see where things are. No signs of labor anywhere... -
@mrskc: Elliot does that too- usually when he's already super worked up. I'll usually switch sides and see if he has an easier time latching on the opposite side. Then I bring him back to the original side once he's eaten a little and calmed down.
@Mrs.B: Great weight gain!! Good job mom
@Beebug: Haha I may have to try singing loudly to E! That actually sounds like fun lol.We got a sneak peek picture from E's photo shoot! His beanie is a pumpkin one- I can't wait to see how the in color pictures came out!
-
@Running Elley: oh my goodness! Beautiful photo! He is so cute and looks so tiny! We have our newborn session tomorrow. Any tips? Did you try and nurse him before the shoot?
-
@mrskc: Thanks!!! I think he looks teeny too! Definitely nurse before and make sure that he's warm!
-
@Running Elley: So cute!! Can't wait to see more! @mrskc: we also have our session tomorrow, I"m both excited and nervous--hopefully LO is in a good mood.
-
@Running Elley: love love that photo - so precious!
I'm so jealous of all of you mama's with your LO's.... I know my time will come, but this is getting tough.
Had an appt today -- made slight progress, 2cm, 60%, -2 station - she did a sweep feeling crampy now. And we scheduled a tentative induction date - booooo. I don't want to be induced, so hopefully he will come sometime in the next week!
Had a minor meltdown after the appointment - I think I needed a good cry and the stress of this part is wearing on me and dh. Feeling better now - just want to meet this little guy!
-
@hellobeeboston: I bet that sweep starts things moving along. I feel like it has helped the majority of my friends go into labor within the next 24-48 hours. Fingers crossed for you!!! I know how you feel. I have my appointment tomorrow and I'm afraid if there hasn't been much/any progress I'll start crying there on the spot. DH is even going to go with me just for support. I'm truly not even uncomfortable or "over pregnancy" but I feel like every day home alone on maternity leave is one less day I get to spend holding and snuggling my baby.
-
@Running Elley: he's sooooo cute!
@hilsy85: @mrskc: Hope you had fun photo sessions! -
@Tidybee: hey - thanks... And good luck at your appointment tomorrow!! That was basically what happened to me - as soon as the doc left the room I burst into irrational tears. Dh and I had been arguing about the induction (and he was in a funk mood) so that didn't help.... I feel the same way about being home, but I am still technically working, they probably are only going to allow it to keep going in until Friday, maybe Monday next week... I also want all of that time with the babe!
-
Checking in a quick hello while nursing!!
Chels has her first doc appt today, interested to see if her weight picked back up a little! 4th night home was tonight/right now and it was definitely the best. I needed bedtime around 9, and this was our 4th session since coming up around 9, so not too bad.
I've had one crying meltdown the last two days, DH has been so good to me through them. I just felt like I needed to cry, not really sure why, but good chance to vent or talk about whatever needed.
Still nursing well, I struggle to get/keep her awake for 10 mins per side, anything beyond that is bonus! My boobs are huge and painful, I find she needs top ups as maybe the sessions aren't long enough, but what's coming out of her....she is definitely getting lots. Frustrating at times to not get her down the first time, she needs a few tries, but it's so early yet, I can't complain.
I love her to bits, to be expected really, but seriously, she's like mini-me and I just love it!
DHs parents flew in Tues PM, DIL here til Monday, MIL here til Nov 12th, prepare for my ranting about this. Love them, they are awesome, but it just makes the house busier. So far I have loved the times I've gotten home alone with her, and appreciate the quiet time!! DH going to work tomorrow, so nice to have him home for most of the week, in for one day, then weekend, and back to grind for him Monday.
Ok. Someone now out cold on me, going to put her in bassinet, and try to get some more sleep before another day begins!
-
@Beebug: Aww sounds like things are going well! (or as well as can be expected with a hungry newborn and a tired mama
). @Tidybee: @hellobeeboston: I hope things happen soon for you guys. At my 39 wk appt I was 2.5cm dilated and only 10% effaced...my membranes were swept and I went into labor two days later, so hopefully it will have some effect on you as well! @tidybee: you're in/near NYC right? Let me know if you want the name of the reflexologist I went to the day before I went into labor! He's apparently known for "induction reflexology", and while I don't know if that's the reason I went into labor, it couldn't have hurt!Things are going okay over here...L is a great eater and a pretty good sleeper, and doesn't seem to be very fussy at all (I totally just jinxed myself). The biggest challenge is still pain during breastfeeding. We have a LC coming to the house today so I am really hoping that she is able to help us. I can't even tell any more if it's that his latch is bad or just that my nips are so traumatized that any sort of latch would hurt them. I had a meltdown yesterday and cried for like an hour over it--I feel so sad at the thought that breastfeeding may always be this painful, in which case I don't think I'd be able to do it. DH got upset as well, as he feels very helpless and doesn't know how to "make things better". I think it was just a combo of fatigue, hormones, and pain. I felt much better after my cry though!
Our newborn session yesterday went well, except L was awake the ENTIRE time! She was here like 2.5 hours! He was also so good and didn't cry once, even while getting his diaper changed. I kind of wish we were able to get some of the sweet sleepy newborn pics, but oh well, I can't wait to see how they turned out. I can't believe he's a week old today! Time is flying.
-
Appt update -- basically NO progress since 37 weeks (1cm). She said I was a "touch more than 1cm" and "slightly thinner" but I think she was saying that just to make me feel better. I have to go back in on Monday (40w 1d) and where they'll check the baby's heartbeat and my fluids even though everything seems to be perfectly fine right now. I still feel like crying though... I felt like I got my hopes up after I started dilating so early. I'm also already dreading going back to work and every day I go late, the baby is that much younger when I have to go back.
Sorry for venting. DH came with me and is so upbeat and positive that everything is fine, and I felt like such a sour sally. @hilsy85: Thanks!! I really may take you up on that if the baby isn't here by early next week! I saw that in your birth story and it was certainly intriguing. -
um, ladies...after throwing myself a pity party, I went to the bathroom before laying down. There was a mess of brownish red blood in the toilet. Nothing solid like a mucous plug just discharge. Thoughts???
-
@Tidybee: Not sure what that might be about! I guess it's the bloody show? FWIW I had no plug OR bloody show this time around. Must have come out in the delivery room? I have NO CLUE.
Posted my story here: http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/we-have-our-little-girl
I have no idea if this is normal soreness or if it means that his latch is problematic. Latching on also hurts like a BIATCH for like the first 15 seconds--anyone else experience this? @mrskc: speaking of stool, how often are your guys/gals pooping? LO seriously pooped like 10 times today. Sometimes it's a big poop, but sometimes it's just like a little dab in his diaper. It's driving me crazy because I feel like as soon as I change him, he poops again, and I don't want to irritate his tush by constantly wiping him, but I also don't want him sitting in poop!
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite2
1574 comments