The "Newest" Moms Hangout...

[ShootingStarMom2]

So I think I might have a blocked duct...it's feels like a lump but works itself out after BF. He's been eating great but seems to be having a problem latching on to my left side for some reason today and that's the side with the lump. Does that sound like what it might be or am I just engorged and I can't tell the difference? Any suggestions for working it out besides massage when he's BFing?

You might be engorged so latching is harder since there is so milk much behind that area. You can try hand expressing a little bit into a nursing pad then latching him on. If it's a plugged duct, the area might be hot, red, and tender. I had mastitis last year, but that comes with fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but it hurt so bad and I spiked a fever so I knew it was more than just a clogged duct. Also, there were red streaks around the area.

But if you feel well otherwise, try drinking and eating more frequently to keep up your health. Try massage during nursing, or trying that when it's really hurting even if you're not going to nurse (in the shower can help too with warm water running over the area). I also got advice from the Lactation dept. to fill a diaper with hot water and wring it out and place over the area that's sore, or try a hot water bottle. I think Kellymom has the same tips, if I remember.

And... my LO rolled over today! From tummy to back during tummy time.

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks everyone from all of the BF advice.

Jake has now gained all his weight back and is 7lbs even. He will be 2wks tomorrow. I went to see the lactation consultant at the hospital that I delivered at this morning. Jake ate like a champ- completely made a liar out of me-lol. He's ate well all day and now I can stop supplementing.

Breastfeeding is so draining though. Literally-- i feel like my blood sugar drops after every feeding. Also now that he is eating well- my nipples are starting to hurt and they havent hurt since the beginning and Jake will be 2 wks tomorrow. Is that late in the game to be hurting? Ive been applying the Lanolin cream so hopefully that will help.

I wish I had more time to respond to everyone but the majority of the time im on im feeding Jake. I do read everyones posts though
I have so much more to say and will find the time soon- promise!

I remember the first couple of weeks all I wanted to do was talk to ladies, but couldn't find time to get here. Bfing is super hard but it really gets so much easier around 6 weeks, seems like forever right now, but at 9 weeks it's a breeze. Lily is finally latching without the nipple shield...I really thought it would never happen.

It's normal to be sore at any point in the game. Watch the latch--make sure he's getting mouthful.

Sarah, this is how I work out breastfeeding and working:

I set an alarm for 5am and 6am. Katie is in the bed with me of course. At five, I turn the alarm off and wake her up to nurse. She is usually starving (sleeps all night) and I just go back to sleep while she nurses. When the alarm goes off at 6, I put her on the other side to nurse, then get up and get ready whenever she is finished.

I have my planning period at around 9 (50 min total), and pump two bottles then (about 10 oz, sometimes more), rinse off the pump parts, put them in the steam bag, and microwave in my room.

I get a grand total of 25 min for lunch. My kids get to my room at 12:03, I check roll and send them to the cafeteria at 12:05, grab my pump, lock the door, run to the teachers' restroom, pump one bottle (2-3 oz in 2 bottles that I pour together into one), rinse everything off, drop it in the steam bag, run bag to my room, microwave the bag, grab my lunch or lunch money, go to the cafeteria and eat, and head back to the room at 12:30! This is the hardest time for me!

I pick her up at around 4, and she is nursing again by 4:15 most days (even though she gets a bottle at 3).

***As far as the co-sleeping, many studies have shown that it is safe as long as you don't drink or take medication before bed. The baby actually picks up on your breathing patterns, and that lowers the risk of SIDS.

Thanks!! I know it's especially tough on teachers.

I'm going to go to work next week to get my area set up and to talk to my co-workers about things (all women ) I wish we got 6 months off...especially sine so much happens at or right after 3 months!

And... my LO rolled over today! From tummy to back during tummy time.

 

[Maggimus]

How long did you nurse (when your milk came in) in the beginning?

Is 15 minutes all together too short??

Jake is 2wks old (there are two Jakes so i just want to always clarify who we are talking about). He has his nights and days together but hasnt been sleeping well at all, esp. at night. He is up most of the day and night too. He just grunts a lot and makes noises like he is holding his breath and grunting. We burp him constantly even after we get a good burp... and we have been givin him little tummies thinking it might be gas-- but still grunting happens and no sleep. He wants to lay on his belly on my belly but this isnt condusive for me sleeping- lol. Any thoughts? He also likes you to pat his back like you are burping him when he is layin on my stomach.

I was wondering if ive been feeding him too much as well (might be hurting his belly)-- the timing is right (not too often) but i would keep him awake for 15min on each side. He could go to sleep after the first side at 15 min. (well try to sleep anyway). Can overfeeding make a baby have an upset stomach?

Also-- my ****s arent getting really hard in between feedings like they were before. Is this because im giving him both sides for 15min each? i kind of like them getting hard it lets me know more about how well he is eating.

Thanks girls!!

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

I am not the mom but the father but couldn't pass up posting.

Drew (male) was born 9/15/09 (same day as Dan Marino). He was born 4 weeks and 5 days early. He is actually still in NICU but is doing well. Hopefully, we will be bringing him home soon.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

Thanks, Sarah! I totally agree it gets easier after 6 weeks.

Maggie, I didn't time any of the feedings. I just let my LO eat as he wanted. If it turns into a comfort thing, I let him stay for a little while then give him a paci instead. Or if he is happy without, I'd let him swing to sleep or sway in my arms. I don't think you're overfeeding him unless he's getting sick after eating. My first born got sick for the first few weeks after I fed him. Not every time, but there was a lot of laundry being done! I felt like I was stuffing him. But, he evened out around 6 weeks and realized he didn't have to eat quite so much to be happy. Have you tried swaddling at night? Or a sleep positioner? We had good luck with a Halo Sleep-sack.

ETA: About the amount you "accumulate" after feedings. It will regulate to make as much as you use instead of making way too much all at once. So after you find a rhythm for feedings it won't be so engorged anymore. That rarely happens to me anymore unless DS fits in a few extra feedings. You still have enough even if that feeling isn't there.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Can I pop in a couple of weeks early? I have a question for you ladies.

For those of you that had a c-section, what do you recommend as far as things I need to bring to the hospital that would otherwise not be necessary? My doc and a specialist have decided that my little guy is too big for me to deliver and have scheduled a c-section for next Friday. Any recommendations? Advice? Etc? I'm a bit on the nervous side about all this!

Thanks ladies!!!!

I packed extra undies, a pillow from home and hair clips/ head bands.

Listen to your nurses. Mine made me roll on my side the first night. I hurt like heck, but the next day, I felt sooo much better. It does help to get up and move around. Take your pain meds and drink lots of water.

Congrats

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I am not the mom but the father but couldn't pass up posting.

Drew (male) was born 9/15/09 (same day as Dan Marino). He was born 4 weeks and 5 days early. He is actually still in NICU but is doing well. Hopefully, we will be bringing him home soon.

Welcome Drew!!! Glad to hear he is doing well and hopefully will be home soon!

 

[yellowfish78]

Thanks for all the info everyone! I think that's what my problem is - I've hand expressed last night before feeding him and he seems to latch a lot quicker now.

Maggie - Alex feeds on average for about 15-25 minutes on one side. I offer the other after burping but he doesn't want it. Every once and a while I give him gas drops (like before bed so I can attempt to get him to sleep for a 4 hour stretch, or if he takes a few minutes to latch and I know he's swallowing air). If he's swallowing I say your doing fine (but what do I know?! I'm new at this too!)
I don't time per se, but I do track his feeds. My cousin got me this book called Baby Daze that I just love and its great to at least keep track of the fact that we are getting in our minimum 8 feeds a day (and tracks diapers, sleep, questions for the dr..) it's a great book and we found it at Target.

We had our first Doctor's appointment today! He did great in his car seat and is up a full pound (OMG!) since leaving the hospital on Thursday. DH and I stopped at BW3's for wings on our way home and I enjoyed blue cheese for the first time in almost 9 months!

And for my next question - when does everyone suggest starting to pump? And should I pump the same amount of time that Alex normally nurses? Should I pump after feeding and do the opposite side or the same side or both? (OK that was more than one question...sorry!)

Welcome Drew!!!

 

[Laura]

Maggimus--DD nursed about 20-25 minutes each side at the beginning. Took for. ev. er. Now she's at about 8-12 minutes each side, the first side usually takes longer. I don't think a tummyache is a sign of anything but Jake's body getting used to digesting something other than amniotic fluid. Spitting up a good bit after feeding usually is a sign that the baby ate too much.

Yellowfish--I started pumping when DD was about 3 weeks old. She had her first bottle of breast milk at 4 weeks. When during the day to pump is a good question. I did notice that I would produce more in the morning. I would start by pumping both after a morning feeding (because your body already started making milk, it could just keep going) and see how it goes. You may notice the side you didn't nurse from produces more than the other, but doing both maximizes your time.

 

[Disney Ron]

I just ordered the kids their Halloween costumes from Childrens Place. I am so excited, they are so darn cute.

If anyone is interested...I used promo code V4989 and saved an extra 15% off the sale prices.

These are the ones I got...

Emma's http://www.childrensplace.com/webap...|72475_halloween|girls 0-6m-14(xl) _seasonal

Luke's http://www.childrensplace.com/webap...78|72476_halloween|boys 0-6m-14(xl) _seasonal

 

[caitty13]

great customes. I need to get Lilliana one and the one I liked is $50.00 at buycustomes.com I am not really sure I wanted to spend that much. I like the ladybug and tights.

 

[Piecey]

I just ordered the kids their Halloween costumes from Childrens Place. I am so excited, they are so darn cute.

If anyone is interested...I used promo code V4989 and saved an extra 15% off the sale prices.

These are the ones I got...

Emma's http://www.childrensplace.com/webap...|72475_halloween|girls 0-6m-14(xl) _seasonal

Luke's http://www.childrensplace.com/webap...78|72476_halloween|boys 0-6m-14(xl) _seasonal

Those are soooo cute!!!

I sorta half-butted Lucas'.

We're flying home from Disney that day so I didn't want to go really crazy. That is for next year!

I'll post a picture of what I'm doing later.
Let me know if anyone sees anything Tigger-ish for the head, okay? lol.

 

[Laura]

DD is going to be Tinker Bell:
http://www.disneystore.com/apparel-accessories-tinker-bell-costume-for-infants/p/1251545/14735/

DH's request. I guess he really likes Tink!

 

[Piecey]

Hey, I was just at Wal Mart and they had Mickey Mouse zip up costumes for $8!

I would have gotten a Mickey for Lucas, since we're flying home on Halloween, but they didn't have his size..

Back to my half-butted Tigger idea.

 

[staley7580]

I have no idea what we are going to get the twins.... Disney shopping has the cutest pooh costume! If I can find a honey pot costume then we will do that. One can be pooh, and the other a honey pot. TOO CUTE!

 

[Piecey]

Hey! You guys, there was a recall on childrens Tylenol.

Not sure if you saw it. Article here: http://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/blogs/bump_shannon/archive/2009/09/24/infant-tylenol-recall.aspx

 

[Laura]

Thanks for the link, Patsy!

 

[MelessaG]

I just realized I have yet to post a picture of Alexis or any of my other kids here. It's been forever since I posted a pic to the DIS boards, so let's see if I did this right:

It looks good in the preview, so there they are. This was taken in the hospital the day after Alexis was born.

 

[staley7580]

Your kiddos are gorgeous!! I love how they just all look totally in love with her already!

 

[Disney Ron]

Melessa, your family is beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Patsy, thanks for the recall info. I just bought some and the number was ok.