The "Newest" Moms Hangout...

[hotveggy]

...this is random, but when are you supposed to start tummy time? I figured I needed to wait until his umbilical cord fell off but not sure. He's more and more awake these days and I don't know what to do with him.

As far as I know, you can start tummy time as soon as you are home from the hospital. I started about 1-2 days after we got home (she was 3-4 days old). I started out with her laying on my tummy and now I put her on the floor. I try for at least 5 minutes- sometimes she does more and sometimes she cries a bit- but it is really important for them!

Glad you are feeling better physically- emotionally, it may take awhile. I had a hard time adjusting to being home with no one to talk to...well, i mean I talked to Allison, but she just didn't answer! I was used to working full time and always having a lot of people to talk to... It will get better once you get used to it.

 

[hotveggy]

So did any of you manage to read some kind of What to Expect the first year? book--not necessarily that one, but one you would recommend?
..

I didn't read anything before hand, but I have Your Baby's First Year Week by Week and an old, old copy of What to expect the first year. I like the Week by week one better. I also started the Baby Wise book- just haven't finished it yet. that is one that I wish I had read before I had her. It talks a lot about scheduling and stuff like that. Their big thing is that most "Baby Wise" babies sleep through the night by 9-12 weeks! I was all about that. Luckily, Allison has slept through the night since about 6 weeks except for a handful of nights.

 

[hotveggy]

This is random (and maybe a little on the TMI side)....

BUT! Was anyone else totally surprised the first time they went to pee and it took longer than 2 seconds?

I'm almost annoyed anymore with how long it takes to pee... I was so used to being in and out!

Did you have a catheter because of the epidural or C-section? I had a v@g birth and don't remember this being the case though I do remember this happening to me after I had my appendix out in college (had a cath for that)... not sure if it may be related to that.

 

[hotveggy]

wow, i apparently have a lot to say today. DH is luckily putting Allie to be (a little past her bedtime lately though!)

So now I have a question. Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting your baby to burp. I breast feed, so I know that they don't get as much air and don't need to burp as much BUT- Allison has been anti- burp for the past few weeks. She was a great burper to begin with, but now she just won't do it- this causes her to spit up more often and it is very frustrating!!!

I have tried the regular on your shoulder, sitting on my lap and even laying her on her belly over my lap... nothing seems to do the trick.

Any ideas?

 

[december]

I'm having computer problems the last few days. It took almost 5 min to bring up this window to reply! I've been trying to send an email to my professor for an hour, and it won't go through.

Katie is breastfed, too. And she burps when she wants to! I rarely can get her to do it when I'm trying, but sometimes I'll move her around and she'll do it on her own. She has been spitting up more lately, too, but I can't seem to find the magic behind making her burp.

I got out the pump my friend gave me today, and ordered new tubing, etc. Within 2 hours I got a notice saying it had shipped! I also opened the box of Dr. Brown bottles, but haven't washed them yet. I plan to start pumping next week (if the parts are here) and start letting dh and the kids give her some bottles during the day. She will be 5 wks old tomorrow, and has never had a bottle. She won't even take a paci. She'll go to daycare at 10 wks. I'm hoping if I start slowly on bottles at 6 wks (starting with 1 a day) by 10 wks she'll be ok with it for 3 bottles a day. I will drop her off at 7, and pick her up around 3:30, so 3 bottles a day should be all she gets there.

I signed my contract at my new school yesterday, and got my schedule. My planning pd is around 9. I will pump then, but won't have another chance all day. So I hope to get myself in a schedule where I can pump then and once at night. I was able to get enough milk for ds11 by pumping twice a day, but that was a long time ago. I feel like a rookie all over again.

 

[MelessaG]

Did you have a catheter because of the epidural or C-section? I had a v@g birth and don't remember this being the case though I do remember this happening to me after I had my appendix out in college (had a cath for that)... not sure if it may be related to that.

Come to think of it, I was cath'd after my first delivery. That may explain it. She wasn't a c-section, but should have been. She got stuck pretty badly, the OR's were full, and they spent two hours trying to pry her out with forcepts while both our heartrates dropped with each contraction. (11 years later, it's still one of the worst ordeals I've ever been through.) Anyway, it was 48 hours before I could pee at all (it didn't occur to anyone to put an ice pack down there until two days later and I didn't know from anything to tell them). Anyway, maybe that explains things-at least from my first delivery.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

Okay, I feel like I should just officially join since I've been lurking the whole time this has been here and I'm getting close. Plus I think I'm starting to think of questions that I need to ask you guys more than the other group.

So did any of you manage to read some kind of What to Expect the first year? book--not necessarily that one, but one you would recommend?

Hi,
Nice to see you again. I stopped by the other thread but don't want to hog up all the new moms-to-be time. lol Kind of like a graduate that keeps going back to school.

We have all the What To books. What to Expect, Eat, 1st year, and Toddler. I got them all as a set at a garage sale. They are helpful, mostly, but I just read them for milestone info or I can't find the info I'm looking for elsewhere. Plus the growth/weight charts in the back are good too.

It's not even been an entire week at home without DH and already I'm doubting that I can be a SAHM. I feel like I'm going crazy but hoping that will change when the baby clues go away

...this is random, but when are you supposed to start tummy time? I figured I needed to wait until his umbilical cord fell off but not sure. He's more and more awake these days and I don't know what to do with him.

Don't doubt yourself. It takes a lot of getting used to. Especially being alone with someone that can't answer you. I was sad after DH went back to work the first time. I thought you're leaving me, I can't shower, I can't leave the house, etc. But I figured out how to make it work after a few weeks.

You can start tummy time when you want. DS lost his button on Sunday which was good because it was a little long and kept getting caught on his shirt. Ouch! Good advice about starting with the baby on your tummy. We also used a yoga ball and DS really like that. I just put a blanket over it in case there was a little spit up.

Did you have a catheter because of the epidural or C-section? I had a v@g birth and don't remember this being the case though I do remember this happening to me after I had my appendix out in college (had a cath for that)... not sure if it may be related to that.

That could be the case. I had a catheter and wound up with an infection this time. I thought that was standard for epidurals since you can't control what's going on or get up to go? They didn't even tell me the first time around. I guess I was pretty out of it.

So now I have a question. Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting your baby to burp. I breast feed, so I know that they don't get as much air and don't need to burp as much BUT- Allison has been anti- burp for the past few weeks. She was a great burper to begin with, but now she just won't do it- this causes her to spit up more often and it is very frustrating!!!

I have tried the regular on your shoulder, sitting on my lap and even laying her on her belly over my lap... nothing seems to do the trick.

Any ideas?

We have 2 favorites. Really high over the shoulder and sitting up in my lap with DS head in hand. Just put your hand under the chin to support the head and make sure they are sitting as straight as possible. If DS doesn't burp, we lean him back a few times or rock him in small circles to move the bubbles around. I hope that helps!

 

[rparmfamily]

Hey mamas!!! Sorry I've been MIA...DH is out of town for training so it's just the kiddos and me (and our 2 week old!) Needless to say..."me" time is rare!!

I had baby Amelia on June 1st, she's a sweetheart but is hard to keep happy. Why do I get fussy babies? If she's not nursing or sleeping she's fussing at me for either one of those things. She does a little awake/content time but not much. She's gaining weight and has lots of poopy/wet diapers so I know she's getting enough to eat. Lucky for her she's soooo sweet!! LOL

How are the new babies?

Off to try to play catch up!!!!

 

[staley7580]

Yes, the whole process drove me crazy. I had forgotten all about it until you mentioned it too-I appreciate the 'heads-up' so I'm not caught off-guard.

I wonder what else I've forgotten about post-partum stuff...I probably don't want to know.

The whole trying to poo after birth is always fun.. I can remember holding onto the towel bar crying after I had my first. Thank goodness the twins were so tiny!

It's not even been an entire week at home without DH and already I'm doubting that I can be a SAHM. I feel like I'm going crazy but hoping that will change when the baby clues go away



...this is random, but when are you supposed to start tummy time? I figured I needed to wait until his umbilical cord fell off but not sure. He's more and more awake these days and I don't know what to do with him.

Give your self time with the SAHM thing. Its hard getting used to it. I have been home for 7 years, and I still have trouble with it sometimes. WHen baby gets bigger, check into some mommy groups. That helped me out. Its nice to get together with other moms, and let the beasties get out some energy while you chat.

wow, i apparently have a lot to say today. DH is luckily putting Allie to be (a little past her bedtime lately though!)

So now I have a question. Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting your baby to burp. I breast feed, so I know that they don't get as much air and don't need to burp as much BUT- Allison has been anti- burp for the past few weeks. She was a great burper to begin with, but now she just won't do it- this causes her to spit up more often and it is very frustrating!!!

I have tried the regular on your shoulder, sitting on my lap and even laying her on her belly over my lap... nothing seems to do the trick.

Any ideas?

Okay.. what we do is CRAZY.. We hold the babies by their underarms, jst like when we pick the up.. and let them hang so they are all stretched out and move them in a circle so their little leggies move around. It is CRAZY.. but totally works. They burp like grown men.

Come to think of it, I was cath'd after my first delivery. That may explain it. She wasn't a c-section, but should have been. She got stuck pretty badly, the OR's were full, and they spent two hours trying to pry her out with forcepts while both our heartrates dropped with each contraction. (11 years later, it's still one of the worst ordeals I've ever been through.) Anyway, it was 48 hours before I could pee at all (it didn't occur to anyone to put an ice pack down there until two days later and I didn't know from anything to tell them). Anyway, maybe that explains things-at least from my first delivery.

I was cathed with the twins, but not my other two and YES. Peeing was tons of fun. The nurses were on my case constantly to pee. I would if I could!!

 

[Piecey]

As far as I know, you can start tummy time as soon as you are home from the hospital. I started about 1-2 days after we got home (she was 3-4 days old). I started out with her laying on my tummy and now I put her on the floor. I try for at least 5 minutes- sometimes she does more and sometimes she cries a bit- but it is really important for them!

Glad you are feeling better physically- emotionally, it may take awhile. I had a hard time adjusting to being home with no one to talk to...well, i mean I talked to Allison, but she just didn't answer! I was used to working full time and always having a lot of people to talk to... It will get better once you get used to it.

I'm thinking about switching up my school schedule for the fall. Right now it's a bunch of online classes but DH's work will pay 30% of daycare costs.. so if I can find a part-time daycare and work my classes to only be two days I think it'll help me to get out! Haven't put this by DH yet, though... he doesn't understand my frustration. He comes home and coo's all over Lucas and how much he has changed and tells me how jealous he is of me. I don't get the joy. Yet, anyway...
I don't really want to go back to work..


I can't put him on my tummy and I'd be afraid to put him on the floor... god knows what is down there right now (wood floors with animals and not been cleaned since we moved in) and also afraid of trying to get him back up on my own.. he's a little Piglet!

Did you have a catheter because of the epidural or C-section? I had a v@g birth and don't remember this being the case though I do remember this happening to me after I had my appendix out in college (had a cath for that)... not sure if it may be related to that.

Yeah, I had a catheter. I don't think that has anything to do with it?
It's probably the same length of time I used to pee pre-pregnancy, but you remember how the further along you get it's like "omg, I gotta pee NOW!" and then it's 'drizzle,drizzle' when you get there? Not anymore... full force, baby. And it takes forever to empty my stinking bladder these days!!

wow, i apparently have a lot to say today. DH is luckily putting Allie to be (a little past her bedtime lately though!)

So now I have a question. Does anyone have any tips/tricks for getting your baby to burp. I breast feed, so I know that they don't get as much air and don't need to burp as much BUT- Allison has been anti- burp for the past few weeks. She was a great burper to begin with, but now she just won't do it- this causes her to spit up more often and it is very frustrating!!!

I have tried the regular on your shoulder, sitting on my lap and even laying her on her belly over my lap... nothing seems to do the trick.

Any ideas?

The nurses showed us to sit Lucas up with our hand in a U around his chin holding his jaw and burp him that way. Sometimes just sitting him up causes him to burp, he's a great burper too. They told us not to be afraid and we "pat" his back pretty strongly. Sometimes he'll wrap his arms/hands around our wrist, it's kinda cute.

I signed my contract at my new school yesterday, and got my schedule. My planning pd is around 9. I will pump then, but won't have another chance all day. So I hope to get myself in a schedule where I can pump then and once at night. I was able to get enough milk for ds11 by pumping twice a day, but that was a long time ago. I feel like a rookie all over again.

Yay for the new job, are you getting excited?
I have nothing to say about BF, but just wanted to say I hope it works out and you are happy at the new school!!




Not quoting everyone who talked about this....but!
....I didn't have any issues going to pee after my cath?? They made me pee into that cup thing in the toilet so they could measure it and that was it.
My issues were #2. I hated them asking me every stinking day if I'd had a bowel movement yet.

 

[Piecey]

So... most of you guys are BFeeders right?

I have four sample cans of formula now (2 Nutramigen, 1 Enfamil and 1 Similac) that I hate to waste.

Anyone know how bad it is to mix formulas or to switch him? Nutramigen is Soy, like what he eats now, but made by Enfamil vs. Similac.

 

[december]

I have no idea Piecey. Dd9 was on formula, but I don't remember back that far. I don't think she had any issues and could pretty much drink anything, but 2 of my nephews had allergies and were on one specific (expensive) formula.

I have 2 cans of formula and all the "free" bottles from the hospital in the cabinet but hope I don't need them. We have a crisis pregnancy center here where I donated all my maternity clothes. I'm planning to give the formula to them, but not until I'm sure I won't need it.

 

[Piecey]

Lucas is already eating 4oz a sitting and the hospital only gave us 16 2oz bottles.. so pretty much enough for 2days. I've saved those for the diaper bags, they're so handy and ridiculously expensive to buy!

He can't tolerate the regular stuff so I know the regular can of Enfamil and Similac I have are useless.

Oh well. I think I might just try the WalMart brand of formula and see how it goes. I wish he didn't have to have soy!!

 

[Disney Ron]

Patsy, my SIL is a NICU nurse. I asked her about interchanging formula and she told me it is done all the time. I am sure there are exception to everything, but as long as it is soy I would give it a try. My SIL told me I could mix similac & enfamil milk based formula without a problem with DS and she was right.

 

[Piecey]

Patsy, my SIL is a NICU nurse. I asked her about interchanging formula and she told me it is done all the time. I am sure there are exception to everything, but as long as it is soy I would give it a try. My SIL told me I could mix similac & enfamil milk based formula without a problem with DS and she was right.

Awesome! Thanks.
I think I'll use my Enfamil or Good Start checks tonight to try a different soy formula, then.
Still hoping Similac will send me some stinkin' coupons!

The pediatrician gave me 2 cans of Nutramigen (which is Soy based, I think?) but I'm reading it's super, duper expensive so I'm scared to give it to him and him get picky!

 

[rparmfamily]

Nutramagin is a special formula for milk protein allergies. If he doesn't tolerate soy then Nutramagin is the next one they'd give. It runs like $25 a can I think? DD was on it 8 yrs ago.

Good Start is supposed to be easier to digest too I think.

I purposely didn't sign up for any samples but they still found me. I just donate to the food bank.

 

[TiggerStac]

So... most of you guys are BFeeders right?

I have four sample cans of formula now (2 Nutramigen, 1 Enfamil and 1 Similac) that I hate to waste.

Anyone know how bad it is to mix formulas or to switch him? Nutramigen is Soy, like what he eats now, but made by Enfamil vs. Similac.

I haven't mixed with any of my kids, stuck w/what worked. I have heard people changing based on whats on sale. others changing brands, not types...so enfamil soy, similac soy, generic soy, etc.

I know how you feel about wasting the samples. I am actually giving a friend my enfamil samples tomorrow, we are also swapping checks and coupons. As I use neosure, which is similac formula. I hung onto the soy and milk based similac as once DS comes off of the neosure, he'll go to one of those and I figured I'll keep them to try to make sure he can handle the straight milk.

Do you have anyone you can trade with or give to?? I know with Brady I gave what he didnt use to his daycare, they kept it on hand for a back up. I had friends that stayed home give me theirs to bring to daycare, as well. as long as it wasn't open, they took it for backup or offered it to other parents that were on that formula. I did the same thing with baby food that he didn't like. What about donating to a food pantry or something to that effect...not sure if you have any close by. Just some thoughts.

 

[Piecey]

I have no idea if there is a food pantry nearby or not?

I have a friend that is pregnant, due in December, but she is in Indiana. I'll have to ask her what she'll be using. I think she'll be here to visit in the next few weeks, someone is getting married... so we'll see.

We went to dinner with my parents and brother [who flew in from Orlando yesterday to meet his nephew!] and mom and dad asked if they could take Lucas tonight. They're on vacation next week and off tomorrow [West Virginia Day]...So I'm baby-less. Twiddling my thumbs a bit.

We went by Wal-Mart afterward and used a couple of the formula coupons I had. They had the old designed cans of Enfamil Soy and Nestle Good Start Soy formulas on clearance!
I had a $5 check for Enfamil, can was $10.. so $5!!
I had a $11 check for Nestle Good Start, can was $13.24... so $2.24!!

Went ahead and got another container of the Similac stuff he is on now, just in case he can't tolerate those... but for those prices, I was willing to give it a try!!!

 

[december]

Very cool that your brother flew in from Orlando to meet Lucas. One of my sisters hasn't seen Katie yet, and she lives about 40 minutes from me. My other 2 sisters came to the hospital, and have been by the house about once a week since she was born (5 wks yesterday). She just really doesn't seem to care about any of us. It is very sad. She lives about 10 min from the rest of my family (my parents, grandmother, and other 2 sisters all live within sight of each other), but never goes to see them either.

 

[Piecey]

Very cool that your brother flew in from Orlando to meet Lucas. One of my sisters hasn't seen Katie yet, and she lives about 40 minutes from me. My other 2 sisters came to the hospital, and have been by the house about once a week since she was born (5 wks yesterday). She just really doesn't seem to care about any of us. It is very sad. She lives about 10 min from the rest of my family (my parents, grandmother, and other 2 sisters all live within sight of each other), but never goes to see them either.

Lame. She'll come around when she needs you guys. Seems like that it how some people work.
A girl that was my best friend for years (since 5th grade) contacted me to say she is flying in today and wants to meet Lucas. I'm still torn on that because this is the first I've heard from her in years. I tried when I got married and she blew me off, so why now? Just because of baby?

I'm excited that my brother is in town, he wanted to come up for the birth but my parents talked him out of it. In the end, it's better that way as the c-section through everything for an unexpected loop!